At HaysMed, we are proud to recognize the courage, dedication, and sacrifice of our Associates who have served in the United States Armed Forces. This Veterans Day, we pay tribute to the veterans among us, those who answered the call to serve our country and who continue to serve our community through healthcare.
Our tribute highlights the stories and experiences of some of our HaysMed veterans. Their journey, service, and continued commitment to others are deeply valued. Thank you for your service, and for all you do at HaysMed.
For a full list of veterans at HaysMed, please click here.
Shane Alford, Physician Assistant
How many years you served in the military and what your role or area of service was?
I have proudly served and still currently serving for a total of 23 years in the Army Reserves and Kansas Army National Guard, where I worked as a Surgical Technician, Company Commander, and Physician Assistant. I have participated in 3 total deployments, and I am preparing for an upcoming 4th deployment starting in November. During my time, I have had the privilege of serving alongside incredible people and learning what it truly means to lead, adapt, and care for others under any circumstance.
How has your military experience shaped your approach to patient care or teamwork in a hospital setting?
My time in the military has taught me that every member of a team plays a vital role, and success depends on trust and communication. In healthcare, that same principle applies whether you’re a nurse, provider, or tech, everyone’s contribution impacts the patient’s outcome. I also bring a calm, mission-focused approach to patient care, even in stressful situations. The military prepared me to stay composed, think clearly, and support my team no matter what’s happening around us.
Are there any skills or values from your time in the service that you find especially useful in your current role at HaysMed?
Absolutely. Discipline, accountability, and adaptability are at the top of that list. The ability to stay organized, manage time effectively, and work through challenges without losing focus has been invaluable. The military also instilled in me a deep respect for teamwork and integrity two things I see reflected every day here at HaysMed.
What advice would you give to other active military or veterans considering a career in healthcare
My advice would go for it. The skills you’ve developed in the military to include leadership, discipline, compassion, and resilience translate directly into healthcare. You already know how to work as part of a team, stay calm under pressure, and care deeply about others. Those qualities are exactly what this field needs. Healthcare offers a new mission: helping people heal, supporting your community, and continuing to serve in a different but equally meaningful way.
Claudette Cersei, RN
How many years you served in the military and what your role or area of service was?
I served in the Air Force as an aircraft mechanic for all eight years, mostly in Europe.
How has your military experience shaped your approach to patient care or teamwork in a hospital setting?
The Air Force taught me the importance of teamwork and always being helpful and supportive of your teammates. I learned to keep an open mind, to be teachable, and to be willing to pass on learned skills/information to others.
What advice would you give to other active military or veterans considering a career in healthcare?
You’ve already got the fortitude and discipline to go into the unknown and adapt to difficult situations, healthcare is no different—believe you can and you will.
Gregory Dietz, Biomed Equipment Specialist
How many years you served in the military and what your role or area of service was?
Originally, I was a Signal Support Systems Specialist(31U) for 10 years
Are there any skills or values from your time in the service that you find especially useful in your current role at HaysMed?
I was trained as a biomed at the Department of Defense Biomedical Equipment Specialist(68A) School at Sheppard AFB Wichita Falls, TX. Made the job of biomed here at HaysMed quite easy.
Lance Krueger, Physician Assistant
How many years you served in the military and what your role or area of service was?
I was in US Army as a Medical Lab Tech, 92B was my MOS. I served from January 1978 through January 1980. I was in Korea for a year with 2nd Infantry Division. I went to Panama Canal Zone with Infantry Battalion from 101st Inf Division, I functioned as a Medic while the Infantry went through Jungle training.
After active duty I was in Army reserves and on our two week active duty training, my unit had a Physician Assistant and I followed him around in the Emergency Department at summer camp. My first exposure to PAs. 1982.
What inspired you to transition from military service to a career in healthcare, and what drew you specifically to HaysMed?
I came to HaysMed as a Locum, traveler, as needed. I first came to HaysMed back in 2014 or 2015 with Dr. Richard Toon. He had heart cases here and he brought me with him from Salina to help out.
Are there any skills or values from your time in the service that you find especially useful in your current role at HaysMed?
Teamwork- The military drilled teamwork into me from the start. I now work in the operating room, helping with heart surgery. It is a very team-oriented procedure. All the parts must work together to give the patient the best possible outcome.
Subordination to authority. The surgeon is the captain of the ship. What he says goes, he does not care about, or want my opinion, unless I am asked. My primary job is to make his job easier. Period. That seems to be a difficult concept for younger folks to accept today.
What advice would you give to other active military or veterans considering a career in healthcare?
If you enjoy working with people, helping them through a difficult time, if you like to help people understand what is happening to them in the hospital and care for them when they are doing well and if they are not doing so well, consider healthcare.
Chad Pritchett, Chaplain
How many years you served in the military and what your role or area of service was?
I was in the Army Medical Department for 20 years, and served as the Senior Logistics Officer for the Hospital.
What inspired you to transition from military service to a career in healthcare, and what drew you specifically to HaysMed?
I had always served in the healthcare industry of the military and serving in hospitals is like being at home. The reason I am here is at HaysMed is because of the great care my son and daughter-in-law received by the OB/GYN unit in the loss of our grandson. I personally witnessed the great care and love they demonstrated to us, and I wanted to be a part of an organization who treats others that way.
Are there any skills or values from your time in the service that you find especially useful in your current role at HaysMed?
As the Chaplain I meet people from various backgrounds, countries, and experience. The military introduced me to being able to appreciate people’s background and experience and to realize that even though they may be doing things differently, does not mean that they are doing it wrong or improper. It gave me the ability to appreciate them for who they are.
Can you share a moment at HaysMed where your military training helped you navigate a difficult or high-pressure situation?
There are several examples but recently I have been able to help people work through individual crisis and difficulties because of the strength and lessons learned while deployed to Iraq. You can never unsee what you have seen but you can work through it and learn how to live in the new reality.
What advice would you give to other active military or veterans considering a career in healthcare?
Don’t be afraid to step out beyond yourself and try new things. You are only limited to the restraints that you place on yourself. The military taught us to live beyond ourselves and that there is something bigger than “me.” The healthcare setting is much like that. We serve because there is something bigger that is worth while.
Nisha Trevino, RN, Inpatient Wound Care
How many years you served in the military and what your role or area of service was?
I served 8 years in the United States Army Reserve as an 88M (transportation). I drove a tractor trailer that hauled anything liquid from water to JP-8 (jet fuel). I joined when I was 17 years old. I actually had to have my mom sign to allow me to join the service since I was a minor. Imagine being 17 years old, not even out of high school, and here I was hauling highly flammable jet fuel. While all of my friends were worried about what they were going to be wearing on a weekend to a party I was worried about if I completed my walk around vehicle inspection thoroughly enough to ensure that my safety and my codrivers safety was ensured.
When I was 20 leaving my 4-month-old first born son at home I was deployed to Iraq. I actually spent my 21st birthday overseas with my first drink at the age of 21 being a Pepsi. While over there I was responsible with my unit in convoying 8-10 hours one way on sand roads with highly flammable fuel or highly flammable empty tanks to refill or set up fuel farms/bladder farms. Many nights (too many to count) I slept on the top of my trailer because there was no other place to sleep just to turn around and drive the next day 8-10 hours to convoy back to our camp. This is just a small glimpse into my military career.
Are there any skills or values from your time in the service that you find especially useful in your current role at HaysMed?
All of this and all of my experiences in the military helped shape me into the nurse that I am today. One of the biggest things that the military taught me was discipline. Being disciplined can be a great help in healthcare. It helps promote stamina, adherence to policies and procedures, and focus which is critical when performing in a demanding field such as health care.
