More than 146,000 veterans receive world-class health care within the VA Tennessee Valley Healthcare System (TVHS).
These veterans come from all walks of central Tennessee, southern Kentucky and northern Georgia. A team of over 5,000 doctors, nurses, administrative staff and engineers are challenging themselves in providing medical care to thousands of veterans every day.
“We are VA Tennessee Valley and our mission is to provide world-class care to our veterans,” said Daniel Ducker, executive director of TVHS.
It is a mission that can only be achieved by the best people.
The hero between us
Few people know that Abbey Lisan is a hero.
He is a friendly, attractive and knowledgeable individual with over 20 years of nursing experience. A registered nurse, Lisan works as a community care transition coordinator at TVHS. Every day, he is happy to support veterans and their families in the transition between TVHS clinics and private hospitals, ensuring they receive the best possible care.
In 2018, Lisan's senses were warned when veteran behavior became more aggressive towards fellow nurses. His extensive experience in mental health allowed him to predict the imminent danger. At the speed of lightning, he stepped in and endured a series of blows from the veteran, enduring it until he was safely restrained. The other nurse was rescued and the veterans were stable, but it was sacrificed. Lisan's arm was seriously injured in the process.
To appreciate Lisan's heroic actions, one must understand the story of his origin.
Lisan was born in Ethiopia. Growing up, he always wanted to learn how people think, interact and collaborate. The idea led him to nursing and mental health education. He attended Addis Ababa University in Ethiopia and received a bachelor's degree in nursing.
“I've always been fascinated by how people interact. How we intertwined with thinking and interacting with others,” Lisan said.
In 2008, Lisan embarked on an important journey from Ethiopia to Tennessee. He brought nursing expertise and understanding of mental health to HCA Healthcare, where he spent seven years supporting patients' well-being. In 2015 he made another leap. This time I worked with TVHS veterans.
“I was very excited to be in Virginia,” Lisan said. “(Veterans) are a very focused group of people and communities.”
On TVHS, Lisan worked closely with veterans to better understand their unique needs and challenges. He learned that veterans come from a variety of backgrounds and bring a wealth of experience that requires different approaches to care. For example, while some veterans may struggle with post-traumatic stress disorder, others may suffer physical injuries that also affect their mental health. This insight promoted his passion for supporting the veteran community, and he decided to make a difference in their lives.
What surprised him was how much he learned about Ethiopia from the veterans he met and treated.
“I am originally from Ethiopia. No one in my nursing career asks me or provides information about what I know about Ethiopia. But I am exposed to the area, men and women in our military. Some of them – they know, and they are open to talk about it. Lisan said:
Looking back at the events that took place in 2018, Lisan wasn't worried about herself. Rather, he was concerned about the safety of his workers and veterans.
“It wasn't because they wanted to do it, because they had experienced mental health problems,” he admitted. “This is the very reason why we have mental health care to provide support to those who need it.”
Lisan proudly pointed out that his actions and other actions at Alvin C. York VA Medical Center have helped save veterans.
He was happy to report that the veteran was able to get mental health care and get home. Lissane's actions and the actions of the TVHS mental health care team gave the veteran a second chance.
“To provide veterans, you need to be (mental health) care in the hospital,” Lisan said. “How to maintain a decent lifestyle, the right medicines, and different types of counseling (helps them understand). It has a huge impact.”
Due to an injury to his arm, Lisan was moved from an inpatient inpatient with acute mental health to an outpatient clinic, then to community care, where he supported veterans and their families daily.
“One thing I share with nursing students is that you need to be passionate about. This is human care. This is not a machine, it's something you can get off to the garage. But they are not. These are humans,” Lisan said.
Looking back at the events that unfolded that day, he had no regrets.
“When it happened, I was devastated, but I know the fact that I was there for a reason,” Lisan said. “If I wasn't there, what would have happened to the other nurses?”
