VAPHS National I CARE Awardees Stress Compassion

Joshua Anderson and Daryl Ferguson, VAPHS Environmental Management Services supervisors and Army Veterans, accepted a team award in the Veterans Health Administration category. The annual awards, presented in Washington, D.C., recognize exemplary VA employees for sustained performance or specific acts relative to VA’s core values of Integrity, Commitment, Advocacy, Respect, and Excellence (I CARE).

Anderson and Ferguson in 2023 were listening to recorded call-off messages when they received one from an employee who said they were calling off because they were physically harming themselves.  The two supervisors, both Army Veterans, immediately notified upper management, contacted police to conduct a health and welfare check, and started to make phone calls to the employee.

The employee didn’t answer immediately but picked up on the second call, at which time they advised the two supervisors that their injuries included self-inflicted wounds to the head, face and arms. Anderson kept the employee on the line, calming them while Ferguson spoke with police on a separate call. When police arrived at the employee’s apartment, the distressed employee agreed to go to VAPHS for care.

The two men credit their quick reaction not only to their military backgrounds, but also to shared experiences navigating personal challenges of their own. Often, they said, they draw on those personal experiences to relate to, and connect with, other Veterans in need.

They also credit their training, which for both includes classes through VA on preventing and managing disruptive behaviors. In addition, Anderson receives behavioral training in his part-time position as a military police platoon sergeant in the Pennsylvania Army National Guard. 

“Take the time to listen and engage, compassion goes a long way,” said Ferguson. “Compassion is the key.”

Anderson agreed, and both encourage everyone to take training related to suicide prevention. If the training is online – such as VA’s S.A.V.E. training – they recommend slowing down and absorbing as much as possible.  Anderson advises staff, or anyone in similar circumstances, to pull a co-worker in to assist, if possible.

The Pittsburgh Federal Executive Board also presented Anderson and Ferguson with a Silver Excellence in Government (EIG) Service Award in the Heroic Act category. The annual EIG Gold, Silver and Bronze awards recognize outstanding federal employees who work in 24 agencies in western Pennsylvania and north central West Virginia.

The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is a 24-hour, toll-free suicide prevention service available to anyone in suicidal crisis. If you need help, dial 988 - Veterans can then press "1" to reach the VA hotline.

VAPHS staff members who want to learn more about suicide prevention and training opportunities should call 412-360-6515.