Always serving: Colleagues share journeys from the military to HCA Healthcare

HCA Healthcare has a strong and longstanding connection to the U.S. armed forces, military veterans and their families. Our organization has hired more than 60,000 veterans, active-duty and reserve personnel and military spouses over the past 12 years.

In 2023, HCA Healthcare earned the following distinctions for our efforts to support U.S. veteran and military communities:

• Military Times recognized HCA Healthcare as a Best for Vets employer for the fourth consecutive year, highlighting its efforts to recruit, retain and support current and former service members, military spouses and military caregivers.
• VIQTORY has recognized HCA Healthcare as a Military Friendly employer for 13 consecutive years. This year, HCA Healthcare has been upgraded to Gold distinction for our veteran hiring practices, programs and support initiatives.
• RecruitMilitary® has recognized HCA Healthcare as a 2023 Champion for Military Hiring based on the pursuit of hiring excellence.
• Disabled American Veterans® has recognized and awarded HCA Healthcare the Patriot Employer award for demonstrating an unwavering commitment to hiring and supporting military talent through employment policies, hiring practices and community outreach.

As we recognize Military Appreciation Month this May, we honor the contributions, sacrifices and service of the members of the armed forces, past and present. Not only do we pause in May for Memorial Day to remember the service and sacrifice of those who gave all, but we also observe Military Spouse Appreciation Day and Armed Forces Day.

Supporting veterans and military spouses

HCA Healthcare has been a long partner of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation, which founded the Hiring Our Heroes (HOH) program in 2011 at the peak of the roughly 12% veteran unemployment rate. Over the past 13 years, HCA Healthcare has worked alongside HOH to address the employment gaps for military talent by offering growth and development opportunities and providing a strong sense of community.

On March 6, 2024, we proudly collaborated with HOH, to host a Veteran and Military Spouse Employment Advisory Council meeting in HCA Healthcare’s hometown of Nashville, Tennessee. The event brought together business leaders and more than 50 different employers from across the country to share best practices for veteran and military spouse employment. These working groups enable HOH to continue to drive success and excellence through their support and employment programs.

Additionally, we were one of the first organizations to partner with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation to help lead the Hiring 100,000 Military Spouses campaign in 2019. The 2019 campaign was a three-year call to action for U.S. organizations of all sizes to make a collective commitment to hire 100,000 military spouses. Through the campaign, more than 7,000 military spouses have joined HCA Healthcare.

Encouraging future service members

To support the next generation of service members, HCA Healthcare collaborated with the U.S. Army Nashville Recruitment Battalion to host an innovative “Intro to Careers in Healthcare” event. The event – hosted at HCA Healthcare’s TriStar Centennial Medical Center in Nashville, Tennessee – aimed to show soon-to-be soldiers and potential applicants how skills and experiences learned in military service can be utilized in the civilian healthcare workforce.

In addition to learning about job opportunities within HCA Healthcare, the U.S. Army Future Soldiers learned how to safely transport patients, participated in a STOP THE BLEED® training and gained insight from current Army members and HCA Healthcare veteran colleagues about their career pathways.

“HCA Healthcare cares about the veterans of tomorrow, so it’s really important for us to show high school students and young professionals what careers can be like once they get done with their military service,” said Jon Snider, military affairs program manager at HCA Healthcare.

Related article (NewsChannel 5): US Army, HCA Healthcare teach future veterans about life after service and jobs

Below, we share the stories of veterans across HCA Healthcare – their journeys highlight how military service shaped who they are and how they continue to draw upon their experiences to serve in healthcare today.

Assisting America’s veterans in the civilian workforce

In April 2024, Military Friendly® recognized two HCA Healthcare colleagues and veterans, Jon Snider and George Garcia, for the positive impact they have on their workplaces, as well as the military and veteran community.

HCA Healthcare Military Affairs Program Manager Jon Snider was recently recognized as a 2024 Veteran Champion of the Year in Corporate America by Military Friendly® for his work to support veterans in the civilian workforce. Within his role, Jon helps military members, veterans and military spouses find healthcare careers where they can use their values and skills to strengthen HCA Healthcare’s culture and support our mission.

Jon enlisted in the U.S. Army at the age of 17. He was integrated into military service, assigned a battle buddy and taught the fundamentals of teamwork while learning the skills to be an infantryman. In 2012, after six years of serving our country, Jon began his transition from military service to civilian life. However, Jon shared that he struggled to translate his skill set, experience and leadership capabilities to hiring and recruiters.

Two years later, Jon received a life-changing invitation to an event hosted by current military members and veterans where he was coached on best practices for interviews and resume writing, as well as how to effectively network. Those lessons and conversations helped him land his first role in medical education. Having once been in similar shoes, Jon acknowledges that finding a job where veterans and military members can best utilize their strengths and translate their skills to hiring managers can often be difficult.

“Navigating the hiring process is challenging,” Jon said. “But for our veterans and service members, their challenge is as simple as interviewing. For many of them, their interview experience is minimal and at times, the last interview they had was one of their high school jobs.” HCA Healthcare works with veteran service organizations such as The Honor Foundation, Hiring Our Heroes and Operation Stand Down TN to offer mock interview experiences so that veterans have the opportunity to practice and get familiar with different interview formats.

Additionally, Jon has helped to champion “HCA for a Day” experiences where service members and veterans gain exposure to the daily operations of the role they are exploring. As part of this program, transitioning service members access one-on-one time with veterans currently serving in their desired healthcare role and meet with members of HCA Healthcare’s Veterans Colleague Network.

Looking ahead, Jon says the future for veterans and military spouses is bright at HCA Healthcare. In addition to supporting our current and future veteran colleagues, Jon is supporting the development of a forthcoming enhanced military leave policy, a formalized military spouse program as well as a workforce development program for military-affiliated talent.

Parallon colleague earns Military Friendly® 2024 Employee Veteran Leadership Award

Military Friendly® also recognized HCA Healthcare colleague George Garcia with a 2024 Employee Veteran Leadership Award, which honors veterans who excel in their careers. The 2024 list features 40 veterans who “demonstrate leadership, teamwork, discipline, determination, adaptability, a strong work ethic and a never-quit attitude.”

George says receiving this award is a “true honor.” George, a current senior project manager for HCA Healthcare affiliate Parallon, spent 20 years in the U.S. Army. He was deployed three times – twice to Iraq and once to Afghanistan – before transitioning into civilian life. When looking for a new career path after his service, George attended a military career fair where he learned about HCA Healthcare and instantly felt drawn to be part of our organization.

For those seeking a meaningful career after life in the military, George suggests taking advantage of the resources available to service members: “Network through social media – on sites like LinkedIn – and veteran community groups in the area you are thinking about living in. It can feel overwhelming but know that there are fellow veterans out there who have been in your shoes and are willing and ready to help.”

Did you know? At HCA Healthcare, a badge helps identify the key role that a colleague serves in a hospital or medical practice. Thousands of colleagues also proudly wear additional badges conveying their military affiliation as a veteran, current service member, military spouse or military advocate. Many of HCA Healthcare’s veteran colleagues say their badges often spark conversations with other colleagues, patients and their families. The badges help connect them to other veterans and can prompt expressions of gratitude for their service.

Tennessee nurse finds calling in healthcare after service in the U.S. Marine Corps

HCA Healthcare colleague Michael Stanley’s journey into the military began with the dream of becoming a police officer. For him, joining the U.S. Marine Corps seemed like the first natural step toward that goal. He soon realized that his true calling was another form of service: nursing.  

“My mom, grandmother and great-grandmother were all nurses and the compassion they have for people is awe-inspiring,” Michael shared. “I wanted to share that love and compassion for caring for people they exhibited in their everyday lives. I had one goal when I transitioned out of the Marines – to become a registered nurse. I accomplished that goal and wouldn’t change it for the world.”

Following his time in the U.S. Marine Corps, Michael joined HCA Healthcare’s TriStar Hendersonville Medical Center in Hendersonville, Tennessee as a nurse in 2019. Within a few short years, Michael was awarded a DAISY Award after receiving nominations from colleagues and patients. The prestigious recognition program honors nurses who go above and beyond to not only provide patients and families with excellence in clinical care but also compassion.

For Michael, he believes not only in demonstrating compassion and providing quality care to our patients, but truly connecting with them in meaningful ways. “I live in this community and take care of my neighbors in the hospital,” he said. “I want the best for them, that’s including the care I can provide for them.”

Michael is currently working toward his doctor of nursing practice (DNP) to further enhance his nurse leadership skills.

California veteran follows calling to return to bedside nursing care

After growing up around her father’s military pictures in her house and thinking how brave and courageous he was, Charlene Gozony was inspired to join the U.S. Army Reserves to pursue a career in nursing. She has served as a critical care nurse for over 25 years.

“Coming from a military family and wanting to serve my country, I thought this was a perfect plan for me,” Charlene said. “Serving others is in my heart and who I am as a person, and I am proud to say that being a nurse and a soldier allowed me to give my all to serving my country and the communities I work in.”

Charlene served in the 6252 U.S. Army Hospital in San Diego, California from 1992 to 2003. During her training in the Army, Charlene learned self-discipline, organization, commitment and the importance of paying attention to detail. “These skills have allowed me to provide safe and competent care, especially when caring for the most critical patients,” she said. “I am always thinking one step ahead when working in the intensive care unit (ICU), and preparing for anything that may happen. Being incredibly detail-oriented keeps my patients safe.”

After working in several hospitals and nursing roles throughout her career, Charlene was ready to leave her hospital leadership role and return to providing bedside care to patients. That is when she connected with a friend who had worked at HCA Healthcare’s Riverside Community Hospital in Riverside, California. “It turned out to be one of the best decisions in my career,” Charlene explained.