Nurse reunion, collaboration Helps Vets with Virtual Care

Thirty years ago, Wendy Safrit and Arlene Imes sat in nursing classes together.  They studied together. They hung out occasionally, bowling and socializing. “Wendy’s mom bowled on the league, where I worked and Wendy used to come up to the bowling alley all the time so we saw each other all the time,” according to Salisbury VA Licensed Practical Nurse Arlene Imes.  She says that’s really where they met, continuing the friendship in nursing school. They quizzed each other with flash cards.  “At that time, we were in the largest graduating LPN class.  When we graduated, we kind of both went our separate ways.”

Although they had typical visions of kid-like grandeur as kids, they had quickly wised up and followed their shared passion to help others.  They had gone to nursing school and embarked on careers.   Both are the kind of person wanting to do more, to give more, and so they became more.

Wendy offered that, “I have done all kinds of stuff. I started out at nursing home (she spent nearly 20 years in one role or another), I’ve done pediatric services of America, and home health services.” She says that she became somewhat of a specialist in ventricle and tracheotomy insertions, adding that, “you’ll find nurses now don’t want to do Vents and Trachs.” Arlene followed a different path, beginning her career at VA shortly after graduation.  But she’s come a long way as well.  After almost sheepishly listing some of her job history, Wendy urged her to divulge her ‘big secret.’

It turns out that in addition to serving Veterans in long-term care, Med-Surge and rehabilitation and primary care, Arlene admits that, “I’m also the chair of the North Carolina Board of Nursing,” where she declares, “we are protecting the public, and being able to see activities here on campus,” she continued, “I feel like the VA is upholding the Board of Nurses mission.” Then, with another nudge Arlene concluded, l was also just recently elected president of the National Association of LPNs.”

The ladies are obviously driven by their passions, not slowing down in the least and changing with the landscape.  It seems their drive and resilience is what put them back together.  Wendy joined VA about six years ago, but recently took a job with Hefner VA’s Telehealth staff, where Arlene was already situated.  They have been making collaborative magic ever since. 

            Wendy now coordinates the Salisbury VA Veterans Health Resource Center (VHRC), which opened September 21. VHRCs provide VA health care staff and Veterans access to education, training, and guidance to effectively use smart devices that support virtual delivery of health care. She said ever since coming to the telehealth unit she has loved the job, adding, “it is very humbling to see these veterans. They’re just thankful for everything you do, they thank us for being here to take care of them, when we’re thanking them for their service to our country and it’s just very humbling. I’ll be here till I retire.”

Both ladies have shared how nice the reunion has been. Arelene offered right up, “it was like a flashback, like “wow, somebody I went to school with is actually working here with me!”  “It was a good feeling.”  Says Wendy, “Arlene‘s just a book of knowledge. She’s so encouraging.      I know that if I need anything, call Arlene, cause she knows.”

“It has been great, being able to rely on this duo, as part of our staff, who have all been a wonderful team and extremely impactful, especially with the implementation of the VHRC,” added Jennifer Terndrup, Salisbury VA Telehealth Coordinator.  Terndrup further explained that the VHRC means that Veterans will can get in-person help connecting to VA virtually, instead of trying to remedy their technical problems over the phone. It is clear that with the caring telehealth staff in Salisbury, led by Wendy Safrit and Arlene Imes, area Veterans are well in hand.

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