Gadsden VA Clinic Nurse receives Alabama’s Highest Nursing Honor
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Birmingham VA Health Care System Licensed Practical Nurse Cindy Jones worked on the frontline risking her own safety to the help take care of Veterans living in the Gadsden community.
Ms. Jones sadly passed away after her battle with COVID-19 in December 2020.
The Alabama State Nurses Association recognized Ms. Jones for her devoted care to her patients and for making the ultimate sacrifice. Similar to the military’s Medal of Honor, the Nurse Legion of Honor Medal awards nurses who have demonstrated extraordinary courage in the face of unusually dangerous circumstances.
The BVAHCS Executive Director, Dr. Oladipo Kukoyi, presented the ASNA Medal during a ceremony at the Gadsden VA Clinic to remember and honor Ms. Jones, alongside her fellow colleagues.
Placing patients above self at some risk is characteristic of nursing in general, but this award also honors those nurses who have passed away in the line of duty.
Pamela Chaviers, BVAHCS Advanced Telehealth Technician, worked alongside Ms. Jones for years and was thrilled to see her dear friend recognized for the dedicated service she provided to Veterans throughout the community.
“She was dedicated, especially to the Veterans and the nursing profession all together,” said Chaviers. “She would go above and beyond for the Veterans to make sure they got what they needed.”
The Medal was presented to her surviving children, Daryl Dempsey and Christie Dempsey Smart, exactly one year after their mother’s passing.
“This year has been pretty rough,” said Dempsey. “But she was so full of love and was a very caring person. She would go out of her way to help anybody. This job was perfect for her.”
Ms. Jones joined BVAHCS in 2012 and worked for the Home Telehealth Program at the Gadsden VA Clinic.