missions, as well as supporting missions following presidential
disaster declarations.
She manages the DEMPS program for both the Illiana System
(which includes Danville and five community-based outpatient
clinics) and the VA Integrated Service Network (VISN), which
includes seven facilities throughout Illinois and Wisconsin.
“Our VISN has deployed more than 40 volunteers across the
country in support of COVID-19 response efforts,” she said.
Anderson said she’s been able to maintain a decent amount of
normalcy throughout the pandemic.
“Luckily the daycare my children attend was able to continue
operations, so my husband and I didn’t have to change our
schedules and both continued working throughout this time,”
she said.
As for handling fear or anxiety, Anderson said, “With everything
changing at such a rapid pace, I just try and take things
one day at a time and not allow myself to become overwhelmed
by it all.”
She added, “There are so many unknowns around the COV-
ID-19 virus, so I try and remind myself to just do the best I can,
use the guidance that’s been provided and keep an open mind if
processes and procedures need to change.”
Once the worst of the pandemic has passed, Anderson said,
“The one thing I’ll remember when this pandemic is over is the
ability of people to adapt to change to safeguard the health and
safety of themselves and others.”
18 OUR COMMUNITY 2020