A Veteran’s family honors the nurse who listened
VA News ·
A VA nurse’s attentive listening led to early detection of a Veteran’s serious heart condition, inspiring the family to honor him with a surprise DAISY Award.
Early detection saved a Veteran’s life. Before he had any real symptoms, a VA nurse practitioner caught the warning signs, and the family who watched it happen made sure that nurse got thanked.
Nurse Practitioner Andersen Ogunbor, an Army Veteran himself, noticed something in the Veteran’s care—something small enough to overlook. Ongubor listened, asked more questions and investigated further. That decision led to the early detection of a serious heart condition, one that can go unnoticed until it is far harder to treat. Because he acted early, specialists had time to step in and help.
The Veteran’s spouse never forgot it. She wrote a letter that became a surprise DAISY Award nomination for Ogunbor.
In August, Ogunbor walked into what he thought was a routine meeting at the Corpus Christi West Point VA Clinic . Instead, nursing leadership and colleagues were waiting to celebrate him with applause and the scent of cinnamon rolls, a DAISY tradition.
For the family, the stakes were high. A worry got heard. A hidden problem got caught in time. The Veteran got the care he needed, and his family got more time with him.
In her letter, the spouse wrote that great care comes down to more than knowledge. It’s about listening, caring and being willing to act when something doesn’t seem right. Because Ogunbor did all three, the spouse wrote, her husband can keep enjoying life with his family, friends and community, a gift beyond measure.
The DAISY Award grew out of one family’s grief. In 1999, J. Patrick Barnes died at 33 from complications of immune thrombocytopenia (ITP).
Grateful for the compassion of his nurses, his family created the award to honor nurses worldwide. DAISY stands for Diseases Attacking the Immune System. The cinnamon rolls are a nod to one of Barnes’ favorite treats during his illness.
On that morning in August in Corpus Christi, the applause rose, and with it the warm scent of cinnamon and the symbolism of gratitude. Ogunbor didn’t expect an award; he expected another day’s work. The honor found him where he lives most of his professional life, in the quiet, careful rooms where listening can save a life.