I served as a combat medic in the United States Army from 1987 to 1995. I am a Veteran of Foreign War (VFW), as I served during the Persian Gulf War – Operation Desert Shield / Desert Storm, and have been deployed to Iraq, Kuwait City, and Saudi Arabia.
I transitioned out of the Army in September 1995, one month after beginning my employment with TeamHealth. Today, I oversee TeamHealth’s Provider Enrollment department, which includes regulatory guidance and compliance, policies and procedures, payer relations, and corporate organizational structure and responsibilities.
Although it has been 27 years since my retirement from the military, I find many military practices in my civilian life and career. For example, organization, strong work ethic and leadership are important to me. I like to ensure all people are held accountable, as well as ensure all people are heard and understood.
In military service, there is a responsibility to ensure that a particular mission or assignment is accomplished. Not only must it be accomplished but done so timely and correctly. Missing the mark could result in extremely adverse results, and I carry that with me. I am a firm believer of doing things well and in order.
Additionally, you may not readily associate the military with self-care, but, in the military, you must take care of yourself. This includes practicing proper hygiene, resting and hydrating. The military requires mandated rest and relaxation because it is important, and I am so thankful to have learned the value of self-care. When I’m off work, I try my best to remove myself completely from work so that I can reenergize and refocus when I return. If I’m out of sync, the team gets off kilter. We can all benefit from that lesson.
Veterans Day 2022
The observance of Veterans Day was established to both remember and honor those who have set aside their lives to serve.
Veterans Day is a day of reflection for me. On this day, I connect with those who were on the battlefield with me, and I remember those who are no longer with us. I also remember my own family members who served in World War II, the Vietnam War, the Korean War, and many of the Persian Gulf conflicts.
We should all remember those who have gone before us and honor those who are actively serving. As veterans, we should exude a deep sense of pride for having served our country. It doesn’t matter which branch of service or whether one served two years or more than twenty, we all took an oath and selflessly sacrificed our lives to protect and defend this country.
Learn more about our Veterans Resource Group.