02/10/2026
🌼 Congratulations DAISY Award recipient, Katie Antonson! 🌼
A Veteran submitted the following:
“I injured my shoulder in September and have been going through the process to get a consultation and eventual resolution. I ended up in the emergency room because the pain had gotten to a point where I could no longer function. I am in my late 60s and when you have this type of injury where the outcome is not clear, you develop anxiety that borders on fear.
In effective project management they say that 50% of your time is spent on actual nuts and bolts while the other 50% is often spent on managing the emotions that follow change. I think that is true for medicine.
Katie understands this.
She strives for Excellence in the nuts and bolts of delivering medical services but then takes it to the next level, she listens and more important, you know she is hearing you. She gives perspective and prepares you for the road ahead. She provided alternative solutions for pain management and explained the process. Empathy might be a trait that some just have. Katie has it. I left the ER still in some pain but better prepared emotionally for the road ahead and with less fear and anxiety. Katie does the VA proud.”
Join us in congratulating our latest DAISY Foundation Award winner! 🙌
(Recognize an employee here: www.va.gov/madison.../programs/employee-recognition)
