THE UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA PO Box 210203

Tucson, AZ 85721-0203
College of Nursing Tel: (520) 626-9580
Fax: (520) 626-7891
www. nursing, arizona. edu
February 7, 2020

Barbara O'Connor, R N , Nursing V A L O R Program Coordinator

Souttiern Arizona V A Health Care System
Nursing Office (Mail Stop 3A-118)
3601 S . 6»h Ave., Tucson, A Z 85723

Re: V A Learning Opportunity Residency ( V A L O R ) Program Applicant

Dear Ms. O'Connor:

It is my distinct pleasure to write a letter of recommendation for Ms. Brooke Murray, in support of her application to the
V A Learning Opportunity Residency (VALOR) program at the Southern Arizona VA Health Care System. Brooke is
currently in the Bachelor of Science Nursing program at the University of Arizona, College of Nursing with an
anticipated graduation date of December 2020.

Brooke enrolled in my spring 2019 course, N U R S 350 Pathophysiology, and fulfilled this core program requirement in
excellent standing. This course provides a conceptual, integrative approach to selected pathophysiologic and human
responses to illness to which Brooke has demonstrated consistent comprehension of the theory content with her
strong scholastic record. I w a s particularly impressed with her small group research paper on the genetic disorder,
Phenylketonuria (PKU), to which she and her partner had written an outstanding and comprehensive synopsis of and
is just a small sample of her outstanding scholarship. Her attention to detail, passion to discover what interests her,
and her compassion and determination to master any challenges that lie before her, epitomize her resilience in
unpredictable situations.

In my interactions with Brooke, I have observed her to be highly intelligent, motivated, conscientious, and hardworking
a s demonstrated by her diverse employment history, volunteer service, and leadership at the university and in the
greater Southern Arizona community. Brooke is a focused and patient teacher a s evidenced by her interests in
teaching young children and adult learners at different levels at both at the university level and in the community
setting. Coupled with her numerous achievements and service to the community both on campus and off, she is an
outstanding role model and ambassador to represent the UA C O N .

Brooke's personal experience a s a child of an active duty service member and the challenges that come with a family
dedicated to military service is in part, what interested her in the profession of nursing. A s she continues her nursing
education, she has expressed a desire to apply for additional clinical experience and service to the Veterans
population a s a prospective V A L O R program participant I fully support Brooke in pursuing outstanding clinical training
opportunities such as the V A L O R program, a s I feel she is extremely poised, courteous, and well suited for this
prestigious training opportunity. Brooke embodies the characteristics and maturity required to be an outstanding nurse
with long-term goals to become an advanced practice nurse practitioner and scholar one day.

Brooke is an exemplary student and demonstrates a(jademic excellence at the University level. I highly recommend
Brooke for consideration to the V A L O R program at S A V A H C S . If you have further questions, feel free to contact me
via email at: shom@email.arizona.edu. Thank you for your time and consideration of this exceptional applicant

Sincerel

Sharon Hom, PhD, MS, R N

Clinical Assistant Professor