Kimberly Rhoads, a telehealth clinical technician at the West Plains Community-Based Outpatient Clinic of the John J. Pershing Medical Center, operated by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, is the newest recipient of the facility’s B.E.E. Award.
The B.E.E. Award stands for “Being Exceptional Every (Day)” and was adopted by the John J. Pershing VA Medical Center in 2021. It is designed to be the D.A.I.S.Y. Award counterpart for nursing assistants and health technicians; however, since its inception, the facility expanded the award to include health aides, medical instrument technicians, telehealth clinical technicians and support personnel.
While the D.A.I.S.Y. Award is for nurse practitioners, registered nurses and licensed practical nurses, the B.E.E. Award goes hand-in-hand with it.
“The D.A.I.S.Y. cannot survive without the BEE, and the B.E.E. cannot survive without a D.A.I.S.Y.,” noted Chandra Miller, associate director for patient care services, when presenting the award.
“I was very shocked, I’m going to be honest,” said Rhoads of receiving the award. “I had no idea I had been nominated, and I’m just thankful that people see the hard work that’s done here, and most of all the veterans see it and appreciate it.”
Rhoads, a native of Cabool, began her VA career at the West Plains clinic in 2017, working as a clerk for two years before moving to the telemedicine service.
“My service line is very rewarding because these people have went years without hearing,” Rhoads explained, “And so once they get their hearing aids, they're super excited to be able to hear their family, the outdoors, things like that. It’s a great department.”
She also loves her coworkers at the West Plains clinic. “I love all the people I work with,” she said. “They’re all great here at West Plains.”
Rhoads, with a daughter on active duty in the Navy, has a deep commitment to serving veterans, she said “It's very rewarding to take care of people who have served our country. You know, I've worked in family practice ever since I was 17 years old, and there's nothing like this.”
Rhoads was nominated for the B.E.E. Award by an anonymous coworker, who said she “is reliable and always does her best to put veterans first. Her dedication has been remarkable.”
Her nominator noted Rhoads has been the only telehealth clinical technician (TCT) at the West Plains clinic for several months and has taken on the tele-audiology clinic on her own.
“Many veterans have expressed how appreciative they are of her taking time to see them even when she had a full clinic scheduled,” the nominator added. “Without her, there would be a lot of veterans who would go without the care they need.”
Rhoads’ supervisor, Rebecca Foy, described her as “a very dedicated TCT. She truly cares about the Veterans and demonstrates all of the ICARE values (integrity, commitment, advocacy, respect, excellence). She’s very reliable, consistent and responsible.”
Foy also said Rhoads is “committed to take care of her coworkers, steps up in times of need and shows respect for to each individual that she comes into contact with.”
