In 2020, life has given us all lemons. We know that healthcare workers across the country are “aiding” their patients and peers in new and inspiring ways. We want to recognize those who have shown resilience, ingenuity, and compassion during an incredibly difficult time - people who have taken the “lemons” of COVID-19 and made “LemonAid” by helping (or aiding) those around them. We recently invited our client partners’ nursing leaders to nominate an individual or group for eVideon’s new LemonAid Award to recognize those who have shown resilience, ingenuity, and compassion during an incredibly difficult time - people who have made  a positive impact on their colleagues, patients, and community. Today we recognize Dr. Mary Bessesen, Chief of Infectious Disease at Rocky Mountain Regional VA Medical Center, nominated by Gregory Crenshaw, Veteran Experience Officer who had this to say about Dr. Bessesen:

‍

Dr. Bessesen graduated from the University of Kansas School of Medicine in 1983 and currently works at the Rocky Mountain Regional VA Medical Center in Aurora, CO in addition to two other health care sites (Denver Health Medical Center and the University of Colorado Hospital), specializing in Infectious Disease. She has been in practice for more than 35 years. As an infectious disease specialist, she deals with a broad array of diseases caused by germs, ranging from the flu, to hospital acquired infections, to pneumonia and the COVID-19 strain.

She has taken the COVID lemons and “made lemonade” by taking the reins of this pandemic by the horns and masterminding several approaches and protocols which have decreased risk to both our patients and our staff. These processes have allowed the largest VA medical center in our region to establish drive-up testing sites, screening stations and knowledge to provide stellar care to more than 96,000 patients.

Her efforts and experience have positioned her as a premier subject matter expert in providing protective postures for medical professionals and support staff across the State of Colorado. She has been a leading provider in the care operations during the COVID-19 pandemic, leading the way in clinical decisions and setting a standard for others to emulate. She has dedicated countless hours to research and reviewing data to present to the Incident Management Team with the best information to plan, coordinate and implement life-saving measures. Her actions and guidance has helped ECHCS flatten the curve prior to the anticipated surge and she continues to support operations in our preparation for establishing care moving forward. 

In the midst of change, “LemonAid” never tasted so sweet.

Our sincerest congratulations to Dr. Bessesen!! Healthcare is better because of your efforts.