Nurse with VA Hospital in Montrose Receives National Award

A nurse who works for the VA Affairs Hudson Valley Health Care System is the recipient of a national award highlighting her service to veterans in the region.

Audrey Graham-O’gilvie, RN, DNP (C), MSN, CCRN, CNS-BC, is the recipient of the 2015 Secretary of Veterans Affairs Award for Excellence in Nursing and Advancement of Nursing Programs in the “Registered Nurse, Expanded Role” category, one of six for the award.

Officials said the Secretary’s Award for Excellence in Nursing and Advancement of Nursing Programs is given to individuals who have been nominated by their colleagues for outstanding service to veterans and the Department of Veterans Affairs. They have displayed the best characteristics and the highest level of dedication to their profession. Chosen from individual medical centers, the nominees go through a rigorous review before the final selection is made.

“I could not be more proud of Audrey’s commitment and passion for our Veterans,” said Margaret B. Caplan, medical center director in a prepared statement. “This is a well-deserved honor that reflects well on Audrey, on her staff and the entire VA Hudson Valley team.”

Beverly Duncklee, PhD, interim associate director for patient care and nursing services, said Graham-O’gilvie’s example is one that sets a standard for her peers, and benchmarks a nursing service standard VA-wide.

“Audrey brings a wide array of expertise, passion and enthusiasm for nursing. She has fostered nursing excellence in all of her action and serves as a role model for others to follow,” Duncklee said. “She is a true servant leader who embodies the 10 principals of servant leadership and has inspired the clinical staff to excel and practice the VA’s I CARE values of integrity, commitment, advocacy, respect, and excellence.”

Graham-O’gilvie has been a nurse for 34 years. By way of Jamaica, she started her nursing career in Montreal, Canada before earning U.S. citizenship in 1990 and starting nursing in New York. She has been with VA Hudson Valley for two years.

“I really believe that any veteran I care for personally is treated in the same manner that I would want my parents treated,” Graham-O’gilvie said. “I live it and breathe it every day. I’m very committed to best practice. It’s always about the patients first and their families.”

The Poughkeepsie resident will receive the award at a ceremony later this year.