“Military veterans make strong healthcare workers because they bring a unique set of skills,” Jeffrey Rockett, chief operating officer, Parkview Hospital Randallia, said. “They bring a strong work ethic, leadership skills and a unique perspective to the workplace. Through them, we get an enhanced perspective in our culture. They also help with inclusivity in our problem-solving and decision-making.”
Connecting with patients
This is certainly the case with Valerie S., RN, Parkview Hospital Randallia. “Both my grandfathers served during World War II. One was in the Army Air Corps, and one was in the Navy,” she shared. “I always knew I wanted to go that route. I've always been the type to gravitate towards the challenge and camaraderie of the Marine Corps, so it made sense for me to go that direction.”
Valerie shared that her time in the military shaped her current role as a caregiver. “My service in the Marine Corps has definitely had a big impact on me personally and professionally. When I've got patients that are sick or getting sicker, I definitely stand in that gap and bring all the other care team together to try to facilitate the best outcome.”
She also recognizes some of the unique challenges for our servicemen and women. “Veterans Day can be very isolating, especially if you're in the hospital,” she said. “Some of them come with things that they can't necessarily put into words, or don't want to put into words. And so, it helps me be able to make that connection. Maybe just saying hey, I get it.”
Bringing Parkview veterans together
Valerie serves as a leader for Parkview’s Co-Worker Resource Group (CRG). “I had already piloted a program here at Randallia for recognizing our veteran co-workers. So, when the veteran CRG came about, I smashed that join button.”
Parkview’s veteran CRG committee focuses on veteran recognition and support. They organize materials that honor those who’ve served, reach out to new members and introduce concepts like badge pins, so that co-workers and patients can identify the veterans on their care team.
“It’s truly an honor to be able to work in the civilian sect with my brothers and sisters in arms. It's a different way to interact with them than some of the strictly veteran environments,” Valerie said. “It's a nice way to give back to them, but also to reach out and get into our communities.”
Thanking veterans everywhere
“Veterans Day is truly a way to honor those that went before me, and the ones that are currently serving that will be coming after me,” Valerie said. “We always need to remember our veterans. So, to my fellow service members, we see you. We honor you. And we're here to support you any way we can.”
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