Nursing Assistant at Tomah VA Medial Center Honored with BEE Award

Monday, March 6th, 2023 -- 8:00 AM

Sara A. Hendricks, Nursing Assistant, at the Tomah VA Medical Center was recently honored with a BEE Award For Exceptional Caregivers in non-licensed nursing roles.

Based on the success of the DAISY Award program and its positive impact on the nursing profession, the Tomah VA Medical Center implemented a recognition program for Nursing Assistants, Health Technicians and Social Services Assistants.

The nomination submitted read, “Sara is an extremely compassionate, dutiful, and careful caregiver.  Competent on multiple specialty areas, she maintains poise and grace even in adverse conditions.  Veterans and staff always trust her to do the right thing even if it’s unpopular."

"She’s always the first to jump in and lend a hand even if it’s 'not her job' and those words never escape her lips. She’s a quintessential team player. Her steadfast focus on delivering top quality care and services to our most vulnerable veteran populations should be commended often."

"She tirelessly strives to help Veterans with dementia and other progressive mental health diagnoses, maintaining dignity in all instances and encounters. Seeking reforms on the ward, she made updates and changes to the daily hand off forms ensuring better communication and improved care delivery even when she’s not there.”

“There isn’t a better person to be recognized with the BEE Award.  Sara is a primary example of the exceptional teamwork provided in the nursing teams throughout the Tomah VA.  She has also provided outstanding care to the Veterans,” said Molly Ritter, Associate Director for Patient Care Services.

The relationship between the caregiving staff and the nurse is key to improving positive patient outcomes. The BEE Award was created off the idea that a DAISY can’t survive without a BEE and a BEE can’t survive without a DAISY.

It is important for the Tomah VA Medical Center to be able to recognize all care providers who go above and beyond to provide exceptional care to the Veterans while improving relationships in their nursing teams.

Like the DAISY Award, nominations can be submitted by patients, families, and colleagues. If you have been the recipient of extraordinary care by a Tomah VA Medical Center Caregiver and would like to nominate them, go to: https://www.va.gov/tomah-health-care/programs/daisy-and-bee-awards/ to be directed to the nomination forms.

Feel free to contact us with questions and/or comments.