YORK, Pa. — As Veterans Day approaches, communities are preparing to honor those who have served their nation. For some veterans, however, their commitment to service doesn’t end with their time in the military.
“We may not be out there in the dirt and the mud anymore, but we’re here on a different battlefield,” said former Army captain Christopher Smith.
After spending 12 years in the military, Smith decided to answer a new call to service, which he described as, “trying to improve people’s health and well-being.”
The change led Smith to WellSpan York Hospital, where he traded in his combat gear for scrubs to fit his new rank, certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA).
George Haritos is one of Smith’s coworkers at WellSpan and served 27 years in the Air Force. Now, as a CRNA he hopes to pass on the lessons he learned during his time in the military to his coworkers.
“When you come out of the military, you bring a lot of those attributes that make you successful in the military into the civilian arena,” Haritos said.
Some of those skills include adaptability, thinking outside the box, and teamwork, which Smith says is something most civilians lack.
“Most people who have chosen a civilian lifepath haven’t been on a team. People are a little bit more centric in their views and thinking about themselves,” Smith explained. That’s why he says sharing these skills is important for the workplace and the community.
“I think that translates when you’re working in a demanding field like anesthesia or healthcare in general, that when you’re used to being there for each other it tightly knits the group, it makes a better work environment, it’s a second family,” Smith said.
Haritos agreed, adding, “We try to bring people together because we see the importance of working together and how you can solve problems.”
While their job may not be brain surgery, Haritos expressed that some days can be more difficult than others.
“When you see someone who maybe had an injury that can remind you of someone you knew when you were in the military… that’s a little harder,” he explained. But even on tough days, Haritos says he has a team to help get him through it.
“That’s when you have your colleagues to fall back on,” he said.
The camaraderie and shared experiences as veterans provide a unique understanding that helps the coworkers navigate the challenges of their roles. Smith remarked, “Nobody understands your experiences as a veteran like another veteran,” emphasizing the importance of peer support in his everyday work.
With more than 750 veterans employed within the WellSpan Health system, the organization benefits from veterans' dedication and skills.
Smith stated that by hiring veterans, employers get “someone who’s committed to their job who has been trained well, can follow, can lead, and doesn’t run when things get tough.”
In return, this hospital fosters a community where those who have served can continue to make a positive impact.