Yuma’s nurse of the year is one of savahcs own | va southern arizona health care | veterans affairs


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VA nurses are the backbone of the nation's largest integrated health care system, providing exceptional care to millions of Veterans with unwavering dedication. Within the Southern


Arizona Health Care System (SAVAHCS) we know that our highly skilled professionals go above and beyond as they develop personalized treatment plans, respond to emergencies, perform complex


procedures and offer emotional support throughout a Veteran’s healing journey. It’s even better when the community recognizes their commitment to excellence because shows the high-level of


VA healthcare delivery.  SAVAHCS own Manuela "Nellie" Miranda, a dedicated nurse at the VA in Yuma, was named the 2024 Yuma County Nurse of the Year at the annual Yuma County


Nursing Celebration. The prestigious award recognizes Miranda's commitment to helping others and serving Yuma's veteran population through the VA's Home-Based Primary Care


(HBPC) program. “I feel honored to be recognized as the first VA nurse of the Year for Yuma County and didn’t expect to win two awards,” Miranda expressed. “I want thank GOD, my family,


friends and Veterans as they all participated in achieving this accomplishment.”  Miranda also won Art of Nursing Award for possessing and demonstrating excellence in the attributes of


compassion, caring, and empathy.  After 22 years in nursing, Miranda finds her greatest motivation in caring for homebound veterans through the HBPC program. "For some of our Veterans,


this is all they have – the VA staff coming to their home to help overcome health challenges and provide psychological support," she explained. Providing these crucial in-home services


to veterans living alone gives her immense satisfaction. Thanks to a $1,000 professional development gift from the event's sponsors, Miranda plans to further her expertise in wound care


over the next year, aligning with her passion for serving Yuma's veteran community.  Before moving to Yuma 12 years ago to join the HBPC team, Miranda worked at the Tucson VA for 10


years. The Yuma County Nursing Celebration highlights the invaluable contributions of nurses like her, whose dedication to their patients and profession inspires us all. Congratulations to


the 2024 Art of Nursing Award Category winner and our 2024 Yuma County Nurse of the Year, Manuela “Nellie” Miranda.