11/13/2025
We are very excited to recognize and celebrate Emily Grace-Cox, BSN, RN, Mental Health Services, recipient of the ICARE Award for Excellence. Emily truly exemplifies the spirit of collaboration and interdisciplinary teamwork, always striving to ensure the best outcomes for our Veterans. Through a commitment to shared learning, open communication, and problem solving across teams, Emily consistently helps to create an environment where both staff and Veterans can thrive.
"Ms. Emily Grace-Cox exemplifies effective communication and collaboration through mutual respect, and seamless coordination with interdisciplinary teams. She consistently fosters a team-oriented environment that enhances patient care and outcomes.
A skilled communicator, Ms. Grace-Cox actively listens and offers clear, concise, and timely responses. She shares relevant clinical information, facilitates knowledge exchange, and promotes a culture of mutual respect among colleagues. She frequently leads interdisciplinary case discussions, uniting team members around shared goals and contributing meaningfully to treatment planning and implementation.
Her collaboration with medical providers is particularly noteworthy. Ms. Grace-Cox demonstrates an in-depth understanding of psychotropic medications—their indications, side effects, monitoring requirements, refill protocols, and interactions. She administers prescribed injections, educates patients and caregivers to support adherence, and empowers them to engage in informed decision-making.
She also plays a critical role in managing psychiatric risk and crises, including situations involving suicidal ideation, acute psychosis, and community-based wellness checks. Her ability to respond promptly and effectively has made her a trusted point of contact across multiple disciplines.
Feedback from peers underscores her impact:
“I greatly value the collaboration I have with Nurse Emily Grace-Cox. When I am in session with a Veteran, I can always depend on her to promptly respond to Teams messages and clearly communicate how and when she can provide support. Her reliability and willingness to coordinate in real time often make the process of handing off a Veteran into her care seamless and supportive.”
Colleagues from across the clinic have highlighted her dedication to continuity of care:
“Emily has been instrumental in ensuring smooth transitions for patients—especially during staffing changes—through proactive communication, attention to detail, and timely problem-solving. She advocates for patients by coordinating interim solutions such as pharmacist consultations, and always maintains a respectful and professional tone.”
“She reaches out directly to patients with medication concerns, coordinates with prescribers, and consults with colleagues on ethical matters. Her commitment to collaborative care is deeply appreciated by both patients and staff.”
Another teammate shared:
“During our transition clinic work, Emily was always thoroughly prepared, met regularly with providers to coordinate roles, and guided patients with compassion and clarity. Her dedication to evidence-based care and patient advocacy continues to support Veterans across multiple programs and CBOCs. Even after our group ended, I continue to collaborate with her daily because of her reliability, insight, and follow-through.”
Ms. Grace-Cox’s consistent, thoughtful collaboration not only improves care delivery but also strengthens team cohesion, enhances clinical workflows, and ensures that Veterans receive coordinated, evidence-based, and compassionate care.
Every day, Ms. Grace-Cox models the highest standards of nursing practice. For example, she always ensures thorough, clear communication with Veterans—taking extra time to explain complex psychiatric conditions in accessible language. Her punctuality, reliability, and respectful demeanor set a tone of trust and confidence. One Veteran recently remarked, “Nurse Grace-Cox makes me feel truly heard and cared for—she’s more than a nurse; she’s my partner in healing.”
Cultural Competence and Inclusion:
Recognizing the diverse backgrounds of Veterans, Ms. Grace-Cox ensures care is culturally sensitive and inclusive. In one case, she advocated for family involvement for an elderly Veteran with limited cognitive proficiency, collaborating with inter-disciplinary team members and family members. Her culturally respectful approach not only improved the patient’s comfort in treatment and treatment adherence, but also reinforced the nursing profession’s commitment to compassionate and equitable care."
Emily, congratulations on this well deserved recognition. Your dedication to collaboration, patient advocacy, and excellence in care truly make you an invaluable part of our team. We are deeply grateful for your contributions, leadership, and the positive impact you have on ensuring the highest standards of Veteran centered care. Thank you Emily!
