HCA Healthcare named a best employer for veterans by Military Times for fifth consecutive year

Today, we are proud to announce that HCA Healthcare has been recognized for the fifth consecutive year as a Best for Vets Employer by Military Times for its efforts to recruit, mentor and retain U.S. service members. HCA Healthcare has hired more than 65,000 veterans, active-duty and reserve personnel and military spouses since 2012.

Additionally, HCA Healthcare has been nationally recognized as a Military Friendly and Military Spouse Friendly employer by VIQTORY for the 14^th consecutive year and this year earned the Gold distinction for the second year in a row. VIQTORY has also recognized HCA Healthcare in its Supplier Diversity Program and as a Military Friendly Brand and Military Friendly Company.

The Military Times 2024 Best for Vets: Employers is a comprehensive, editorially independent annual ranking of the country’s best employers and organizations with military-connected employment programs, benefits and support efforts. Their analysis is based on a voluntary survey that assesses companies on their policies, practices and benefits for veterans and their families. Recruitment and employment practices, as well as retention and support programs, are given the most weight in scoring.

As part of its commitment to supporting veterans, this year HCA Healthcare is giving:

• $50,000 to the Armed Services YMCA to expand the capabilities of the “Children’s Waiting Room” at Fort Campbell, Kentucky.
• $35,000 to CreatiVets, an organization dedicated to empowering veterans and their families to find healing from service-related trauma through art, including songwriting, visual arts, music and creative writing. This gift will help finalize the build of the prescriptive music repository for veterans and their families to find healing through music.
• $35,000 to The Honor Foundation, a career transition program for U.S. Special Operations Forces, to help enhance their industry “trek” experiences to various companies for program fellows in eight states and four virtual cohorts.
• $30,000 to Operation Stand Down, an organization that engages veterans early in their transition from military service to find meaningful employment, to help expand their “Career Recon” employment program for transitioning service members.

HCA Healthcare has a long history of supporting veterans and their families through their transition to the civilian workforce.

In 2011, HCA Healthcare joined the Veteran Jobs Mission as an inaugural employer member, and committed to the coalition’s goal of hiring 100,000 veterans by 2020. In 2012, HCA Healthcare joined the second cohort of the Department of Defense’s Military Spouse Employment Partnership in order to formalize its commitment to hiring military spouses. In 2013, HCA Healthcare joined the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s Hiring Our Heroes national advisory councils on veteran and military spouse employment, and, in 2015, HCA Healthcare received the Lee Anderson Award for overall excellence in hiring and retaining veterans, and transitioning service members and military spouses.

In 2018, HCA Healthcare was an inaugural employer partner of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s “Hiring 100,000 Military Spouses” campaign and has since hired more than 8,500 military spouses. In 2019, HCA Healthcare and the U.S. Army Medical Recruitment Brigade created the Patriot Partnership Program providing specialized education and training for physician residency and fellowship programs nationwide. In 2021, HCA Healthcare received the Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award, the highest recognition given by Employer Support of the National Guard and Reserves (ESGR).

HCA Healthcare also maintains a Veterans Colleague Network, which helps promote community and purpose and has also been successful in helping recently transitioned veterans navigate the civilian workforce. For those who wish to continue serving, HCA Healthcare also offers military leave and supplemental pay to eligible colleagues to serve as active duty military while working at HCA Healthcare. The organization also provides pathways for non-traditional military talent to find meaningful employment opportunities in healthcare through partnerships with Hiring Our Heroes, 50-Strong and local veteran service organizations across the country. 

Honoring veterans across HCA Healthcare

Veterans Day is observed annually on November 11, honoring the military veterans of the United States Armed Forces. It is a day of reflection, gratitude and recognition for their sacrifices and dedication to our country. Below, military veteran colleagues across our organization share their stories, highlighting their strength, determination and unwavering spirit. These experiences not only honor their service but also encourage us to embrace perseverance in our own lives.

Air Force fighter pilot charts new path as Texas trauma surgeon

Before saving lives in the operating room as a trauma surgeon and emergency general surgeon at HCA Healthcare’s Del Sol Medical Center in El Paso, Texas, Dr. Carl Devemark was an F-16 fighter pilot.

It was Dr. Devemark’s father who opened his eyes to the sky, teaching him the ins and outs of flying. Graduating from the United States Air Force Academy in 1999 with a degree in aeronautical engineering, Dr. Devemark initially set his sights on becoming a fighter pilot. He served in the Air Force for 11 years, completing 150 combat hours and retiring with invaluable experiences that would later shape his journey into healthcare.

When it came time to transition out of the military, Dr. Devemark sought a career where he could continue making a difference. For this surgeon, the transition from fighter jets to the operating room came naturally.

Today, Dr. Devemark understands the responsibility of treating patients in the most critical conditions and finds joy in being able to create a safe environment for his patients in and around the El Paso community.

His advice for his fellow veterans considering a career in healthcare? “Be motivated, set goals and lean into your passions.” Reflecting on his own journey, he shared that the same qualities that make a veteran successful in the military are equally as vital in healthcare. “Just as the military teaches you about teamwork and camaraderie, healthcare professionals have the opportunity to directly impact the lives of patients by providing care and support as a team.”

From the Navy to Colorado nursing leader

Tonya Levine, the assistant chief nursing officer at HCA HealthONE Presbyterian St. Luke’s in Denver, has built her career on a foundation of adaptability, perseverance and steadfast dedication to service.

Enlisting in the Navy was a defining moment for Tonya. Inspired by her father, who served in the military, Tonya decided to follow in his footsteps. “Joining the Navy as a young adult was the foundation of my entire career,” Tonya said. “The skills and experiences I gained in the Navy ultimately led me to a career in nursing and nursing management.”

Tonya shares that her Navy career taught her how to step up and volunteer, have difficult conversations and lead with humility. “Just as I approached my service in the Navy, I bring the same passion to my career, serving my community and fellow nurses.”

Army veteran finds a new purpose with nursing career

For HCA Healthcare colleague Manuel Isshac, life took a meaningful turn when he transitioned from the Army to a career in nursing. Manuel’s role as a Clinical Nurse Coordinator (CNC) at HCA Florida Ocala Hospital allows him to guide patients through their healthcare journeys, but also brings a unique understanding to those who, like himself, have experienced military life.

“This moment inspired a renewed sense of purpose and belonging outside the structure of military life – helping patients rebuild their health, sense of self and find new ways of life,” Manuel said.

Every day, Manuel finds joy in his work and his life.

Florida Marine veteran and nurse’s journey filled with determination

During his time in the Marine Corps, HCA Healthcare colleague Steven Mountjoy was trained to improvise, adapt and overcome any obstacle in whatever situation he was needed. That purposeful mindset has carried over into his role as a nurse with HCA Florida Healthcare.  

Steven’s interest in the military was sparked in high school when he joined the U.S. Army Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (JROTC), one of the nation’s largest charter development and citizen programs for youth available in both public and private educational institutions. “During my senior year of high school, I needed to decide on what I was going to do after graduation,” Steven said. “Because I had average grades and did not have the financial means to attend a four-year college, I decided to enter the military.”

When exploring his options with Army, Navy and Marine Corps recruiters, his natural career path seemed to lead to the Army, given his JROTC background. “I had people tell me, ‘The Marines are too hard,’ or, ‘You won’t succeed in the Marines,’” Steven recalled. “Those comments drove my decision to join the Marines to demonstrate that I could be successful in the most difficult of the military branches.”

Steven enlisted in the Marine Corps and went to boot camp in September 1997. After 13 weeks of training, he graduated on time alongside his fellow recruits. “It was truly one of the most difficult times of my life,” Steven said.

His next big challenge came when he wanted to enter the civilian workforce and pursue a career in healthcare. Nursing school was no less demanding, and Steven faced a significant setback when he didn’t succeed on his first attempt. Yet, he didn’t let this stop him. Fueled by the same grit that drove him through boot camp, he ultimately graduated from nursing school and became a nurse at HCA Florida Westside Hospital.