This Veterans Day, we honor and remember the selflessness and bravery of all who have served our country. Their courage and commitment to protecting others continue to inspire us every day.

At Encompass Health, we are especially proud to recognize the 1,495 veteran employees who have continued their mission of service by joining our team. Their dedication and leadership enrich our hospitals and strengthen the more than 170 communities we serve. We are incredibly grateful for the skills, compassion and leadership our veteran employees bring to bear every day, as they carry forward their calling to serve others in new and meaningful ways.

For Carolyn Groesser, our medical staff credentialing specialist at Encompass Health Rehabilitation Institute of Dayton, in Ohio, service has always been at the heart of her journey.

“I served in the United States Navy as a Naval aircrewman, plane captain and jet mechanic on the C-2,” Carolyn shared. “During Desert Storm, our squadron supplied mail, cargo and essential personnel to remote locations throughout the Sixth Fleet. I was stationed at NAS Sigonella, Sicily, for several years.”

After leaving the Navy, Carolyn pursued a career in healthcare, beginning as an EMT before becoming a physical therapist assistant. Her path eventually led her to Encompass Health, where she has served in both clinical and administrative roles.

“Today, I serve as the medical staff credentialing specialist and PRN PASC at Encompass Health,” she said. “Now, I have the joy of being part of the administrative operations that impact staff and patient experience daily — ensuring we continue to set the standard and do what’s right.”

When asked what advice she’d share with other veterans considering health care, her words resonate deeply:

“As a vet we want to feel like we have security, longevity and a feeling of being part of a family. At Encompass Health, I have found all three.”

For Lyra Hendry, human resources coordinator at Encompass Health Rehabilitation Hospital of Tyler, Texas, service has always meant taking care of people — a value she carried from the U.S. Air Force into her current role. A career in health care has offered the same sense of fulfillment she found in the military.

“I was a personnelist in the USAF for four years — that’s the military version of HR,” she explained. “I absolutely loved my time with the Air Force. Even while deployed, I focused on supporting Airmen through re-enlistments, promotions retirements and other needs — helping them so they could focus on their jobs and have one less worry.”

“There is always a need in health care, whether you’re working directly or indirectly in patient care,” she said. “A lot of people join the military because they want to feel like they’re doing something good — giving back, providing support, taking care of people. This can be true for those working in health care as well.”

Lyra says she also feels supported and valued as a veteran at Encompass Health.

“Truly, I feel like a valuable member of our team,” she said. “Our veterans are recognized and thanked for their service. And being in HR, it’s a great feeling when we hire veterans — seeing how their military background shaped their desire to have a career in healthcare.”

At Encompass Health, we’re proud to stand alongside the many veterans who continue their legacy of service through health care and we thank our veteran colleagues for their service to our country, today and every day.