Tom Mattice, director of the Roudebush Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Native Americanopolis, Indiana announced the latest VAMC Employee of the year yesterday. Citing her amazing work with returning Veterans  suffering PTSD, suicidal tendencies and Xanax withdrawal issues, Mr. Mattice recognized her for her extensive work above and beyond the call of duty in the Transitional Clinic. Said Mr. Mattice “It’s rare that one individual can have such a profound effect on those around her. Ms. Paul is just a natural lightning rod for VA controversy and it’s only fitting she should be recognized for her works.”

Ms. Paul was instrumental in creating teaching tools for employees to better help them accomplish their day-to-day tasks dealing with troubled Veterans. Included here below are some of her humorous vignettes used to help employees empathize. Ms. Paul prides herself on her openmindedness and her ability to reach out to returning Indiana Veterans and help them make their transition from military service to civilian status as painless as possible. Said Paul “Even a small amount of humor in these stressful times helps ease their transition. We’re always looking for innovative ways to help our Veterans.”

PTSD Veteran (elf) aspiring to a new calling as a VA caregiver

The agony of running out of your prescribed medications

Figuratively committing suicide by hanging yourself

Ms. Paul’s devotion to her job resulted in her being awarded a handsome $2,000.00 bonus from VA supervisors in 2013 before Congress forbid the practice. Hopefully, this will not dampen her spirits or cause her to feel her efforts are not appreciated. In a separate action, her supervisor gave her an extended administrative leave to come up with some brand new ideas she has in the pipeline.

Robin Paul’s devotion to duty and serving our nation’s Veterans should be an example for all the Veterans Health Administration’s employees and a role model for those who follow in her footsteps.