02/16/2022

CASA Veterans Committee Working to Help CASA Members Meet the Staffing Crisis

One of the goals of the newly formed CASA Veterans Committee is to provide pathways for veterans to facilitate transitions to the ASC industry.  The committee is currently busy making connections and developing resources for our ASC members to reach out to the veteran community.  As we build this resource, we want to highlight the “Hiring Our Heroes Organization” as an opportunity for ASCs to investigate and recruit potential staff. There are several ways to get involved with their programs.

• Hiring Events
  Hiring Our Heroes offers industry-focused and multi-industry virtual hiring events, as well as in-person Career Summits on military installations across the U.S. and overseas. All events are free for both job seekers and employers, but exhibitor space may be limited in some venues. You can view our calendar of events and request booth space for our hiring events at HiringOurHeroes.org/events.
• Fellowship Programs
  Hiring Our Heroes offers several fellowship programs for transitioning service members, military spouses, and caregivers to wounded warriors. Participating as a host company is free of charge for employers and gives you the opportunity to see if the fellow is a fit for your organization. Fellowships are 12 weeks for qualified transitioning service members (approved DoD Skillbridge program). For military spouses and caregivers, we offer a 6-week, paid fellowship. The applied technology Salesforce fellowship is 12 weeks. More information here: https://www.hiringourheroes.org/employers/hosting-a-fellow/
• Military Spouse Program
  The financial stability of military families is challenged by continuing high rates of spouse un- or underemployment. Hiring Our Heroes offers career development, networking, and hiring events for military spouses and is eager to work with employers to incorporate military spouses into their workforce through their Discover The Talent campaign. To learn more and engage with our Military Spouse team: www.hiringourheroes.org/discover-the-talent
• Sponsorship
  Employer sponsors help Hiring Our Heroes (501c3) expand our reach and impact in the military community. As a sponsor, employers have access to the employer dashboard which includes priority registration for our hiring events, a searchable resume database, the ability to post on our job board, have roles featured in our “Hot Jobs” newsletter, speaking opportunities, co-branded events, and more. Learn more at https://www.hiringourheroes.org/partners/  or contact Adam Rocke at arocke@uschamber.com. 

For general guidance on how to incorporate veterans into your workforce, check out this free resource: https://www.vetemployerroadmap.org/

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What was your role in the Military?
United States Navy – Hospital Corpsman & OR Tech

Why did you choose the ASC industry?
I found my way to the ASC industry in 1998, when the industry was in its early adolescent stage. I was fortunate enough to be surrounded by intelligent people who lead by example and took the time to help me grow professionally within the industry. I loved the fact that in the ASC world there was a constant evolution of not only how our processes and routines developed but also pushing the envelope of the procedures which could safely be achieved and replicated in an ASC.

What military experience is useful for ASCs?
In the military, we commonly worked in groups or teams. Our focus was on a single or group of tasks to meet an objective. The thought of failure never entered our minds. We just knew we would be successful. I guess I brought that attitude with me to the ASC industry. 

What was the coolest thing you ever did?
The coolest thing I ever did was learning to make fast friends with all types of people and backgrounds. When you are young and placed in stressful situations with a variety of personalities and people from different cultural backgrounds you really gain an appreciation for the individuals and how they persevere, support, and cope. You learn to use that input to develop your own personal strengths.

The CASA Veterans Committee is focused on veteran recognition, transitions, recruitment, and resources.  Are you a veteran and interested in serving on this CASA committee? Would you like to share your stories and/or be highlighted in a future veteran’s newsletter issue? If so, please reach out to CASA Executive Director Beth Labouyer @ blabouyer@casurgery.org.