At North Shore-LIJ, I have found a place where I can continue to use the skills I developed in the Air Force in ways I never thought possible. Having served as a United States Air Force Staff Sergeant with the 97th Logistics Readiness Squadron, I am a proud United States Veteran. I enlisted in 2006, was stationed at Altus Air Force Base in Altus, Oklahoma and served two tours of duty in Afghanistan. Read More >>
Craig Washington,
Patient Services Manager
At North Shore-LIJ, I have found a place where I can continue to use the skills I developed in the Air Force in ways I never thought possible. Having served as a United States Air Force Staff Sergeant with the 97th Logistics Readiness Squadron, I am a proud United States Veteran. I enlisted in 2006, was stationed at Altus Air Force Base in Altus, Oklahoma and served two tours of duty in Afghanistan.
I am happy to return home to Long Island and join the North Shore-LIJ family. I started at Zucker Hillside Hospital as a Patient Support Manager in 2011 and work full-time to ensure that the medical staff is given the proper tools they need to provide quality patient care. My colleagues and I manage the daily intake of all supplies and equipment for the hospital, as well as organize and coordinate delivery to the appropriate units.
Transitioning to civilian work at a health system was smoother than I anticipated. After my second tour in Afghanistan, I was referred to North Shore-LIJ’s Rosen Family Wellness Center where I found the guidance I needed to jump start my career. I recognized that the skills needed to succeed in my new position would be different from the military, but the mentality was the same. In the Air Force, it was “mission first, “but now it’s “patient first.” When a job needs to get done, it’s important that everyone joins together to get the mission accomplished. Here at North Shore-LIJ – that mission is quality patient care and satisfaction.
There is a huge support system at North Shore-LIJ and it is evident that the health system appreciates and values its current and past service members. A great example during the holiday season was when the health system came together to send care packages to military members serving in Afghanistan and abroad.
Teamwork was a key component of my military life and I am happy to have found a career where this value is just as critical. I think it is important for Veterans to know that their service and skills are incredibly unique and invaluable, and that nothing is too far out of reach. By using the resources available, exploring your options and keeping an open mind, you too can find career happiness and success after the military - just as I have here at North Shore-LIJ.