Thrive-Health Guide Southern West Virginia August 2020 - Page 19

Among Legg’s responsibilities was oversight for all nurses at the hospital.
PHOTO BY RICK BARBERO
viding oversight for all nursing care at the hospital.
Among the highlights of her tenure, she said, was
assisting veterans following the 2016 flood in the
White Sulphur Springs and Lewisburg area.
“We worked with local EMS and set up stations
there,” she said of the VA’s community response team
that helped veterans effected by the flood.
For her efforts, she was among 50 Beckley VA
employees who received an I CARE award from the
acting VA Secretary.
Legg also mentions the VA’s Whole Health Program,
for she wrote a grant to secure funding.
The program, which offers things like yoga, tai chi,
acupuncture and meditation as well as programs
specifically for women are intended to help veterans
with self-care.
“Taking care of your body, mind and spirit,” Legg
said. “Meditation teaches you how to control your
emotions and decrease your stress level, and that’s
important because stress can cause physical pain. So
rather than take so many medications, you can use
mindfulness and meditation to help you control your
pain.
“And, as you know, we need all the alternatives we
can get to help the opioid problem.
In 2019, Legg received the Federal Woman of the
Year award for the Beckley VA Hospital.
“I appreciate being chosen for that,” she said. “It
was a great honor for me. It validated what I’ve
tried to do over the years, which is take great care
of patients and work toward great care delivery for
patients.”
But more than that, she said it also validated her
work in caring for her fellow nurses.
“It’s important to take care of your employees,”
she said, adding she’s always tried to recognize and
encourage her fellow nurses and staff through awards
and other events.
And as she steps away, she said she hopes others
continue to recognize their hard work as well.
AUGUST 2020 • THRIVE • 19