Making Veterans’ Spirits Bright

This holiday season, we’re spreading cheer by sharing the stories of wartime heroes and their love for their doctors. Last month, our team members at the Chen Senior Medical Center in Tamarac, Florida hosted a special event to honor veterans and their family members. The center partnered with VetForceOne, an organization dedicated to improving the lives of veterans and helping them receive assistance through VA benefits. More than 80 patients and their family members showed up, each one representing a different military branch. Many fought in the Vietnam War while others were survivors of other wars, including the Holocaust. Each was grateful to gather with other wartime heroes who shared similar stories and backgrounds.

 Meet some of those unsung heroes and why they love their doctor and the team at ChenMed:

Jane M. | Holocaust Survivor

Meet Jane. She’s 83-years-old and a Holocaust survivor. She’s been a patient with us for a year and a half. As a former dance teacher, she never misses an opportunity to move. “There are so many things I am grateful for, including this beautiful country and my doctor.” She gives credit to her provider, Dr. Valeria Jimenez, who is helping her get healthy and coordinating with her oncologists as she fights cancer. “She’s wonderful. You can call her 24/7, and she’ll respond to you in 5 minutes. I have her personal phone number, and she calls me right away,” shares Jane.

Although she was never a soldier herself, she saw much war as she was part of the Holocaust as a child. She gets emotional when speaking about her father who she never met because he died in battle during World War 2. “He was a ship captain in 1943 when his ship exploded on the Black Sea.” She stands strong despite what could have been many setbacks. Today, she’s now an American citizen living in the U.S. for 45 years. “I’m happy to celebrate life, peace, and freedom.”

Pete | Navy Veteran

Next, we meet 67-year-old Pete, a Navy veteran, who was honored to be invited to the event.  He shares that he loves his provider, Dr. Khaled Elias at the Chen Senior Medical Center in Oakland Park, Florida. He enjoys the convenience of being able to walk-in and see his doctor and the availability to pick up his medication at the center. But when it comes to Dr. Elias, Pete shares, “He understands people in their 60s. He’s a very good doctor.” Despite his heart condition and upcoming non-invasive heart surgery, Pete stays positive because he knows he has Dr. Elias at his side to coordinate with the cardiologists.

Leslie | Army Veteran

With a warm and inviting smile on his face and a good sense of humor, we find Army veteran Leslie sitting beside his son who is also a veteran. Leslie and his wife are both patients but go to different medical centers. Although they can transfer to a new location to be together, they want to stay because they love the doctors at their respective locations. He jokingly adds, “With both of us being at the same center, people will look at me badly because she’ll say things about me.” His provider is Dr. Ana Lopez in Lauderhill, Florida.

“What I love about Chen all together is that they get back to me. I don’t get a call from the nurse. I get a call from the doctor directly.”

Audrey | Surviving Spouse of a Veteran

Next, we find Audrey enjoying the entertainment and music. Her husband was in the Army for 9 years and passed away in 2020 during the beginning of the pandemic. Her provider, Dr. Delia Ochoa-Garcia in Pembroke Pines, helped her cope during that time. “She’s easy to talk to, she asks me questions and I feel very comfortable with her, and I love her to death.”

Ernest | Coast Guard & WW2 Veteran

One of best highlights was meeting 95-year-old Ernest, a World War 2 Coast Guard veteran. He is part of the less than 1% of World War Two veterans who are still alive, and he thanks his ChenMed provider, Dr. Daniel Leon, and the Plantation team for keeping him healthy and strong. He shares, “I love him, even though the center is out of my way, I love seeing him, so I go there.” He adds that he loves the convenience of being able to pick up his medication and everything else in one spot.

Interested in being a part of the lives of seniors like these wartime heroes? Click here to find career opportunities at our medical centers.