This week, a particularly inspiring post caught our attention on Facebook. Kristopher Keukelaar, a registered nurse in the intensive care unit at the Syracuse VA Medical Center, was attending the New York State Fair with his son when he witnessed a man fall and go in to cardiac arrest. Immediately, and with the help of a nearby state trooper and other fair goers, Kristopher jumped in to action, administering CPR and using a defibrillator to ultimately revive the man and restart his heart.
When asked about the event, he commented, “It was a good team effort. There was an EMT there, and another nurse and another state trooper.”
While the act of saving a man’s life is truly incredible, Mr. Keukelaar’s attitude is also noteworthy, and a true model of the mindset of dedicated VA employees. The group at the fair was not the exact team you would find in a VA medical center, but the attitude of teamwork and patient-centered care is still front and center.
Thank you to Mr. Keukelaar for being an inspiration to us all as we live our mission as healthcare providers and Veteran caregivers. We appreciate your dedication to your work, even when you aren’t “on the clock.”
If you are a health care provider with a similar commitment to help those in need, and a desire to serve Veterans, learn more about careers at VA by visiting VAcareers.va.gov.
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For Veterans, the mission does not end when the uniform comes off. VA careers offer opportunities to serve while building fulfilling civilian careers.
Whether it’s access to the great outdoors or a calmer pace in your everyday life, you can find it in rural VA communities around the country.
If you’re looking for an opportunity to provide care to Veterans outside a traditional clinical setting, Home Based Primary Care (HBPC) is a great option.
