VA national health care recruitment consultant Julieann Torres is dedicated to finding the best health care professionals in the country to care for Veterans at VA facilities in areas including upstate New York, New York City and northern New Jersey. Given that this area includes vast geographical and cultural differences – from New York City to rural upstate New York, to smaller cities such as Syracuse and Buffalo – finding a location that fits the professional and personal needs of physicians is vital.
“These areas are very different. People who enjoy this area typically embrace the four seasons lifestyle,” explains Julieann, who is a self-described “mini Chamber of Commerce,” as she knows so much about her region and is enthusiastic about giving physicians a sense of what life is like.
“This area is great for those who like to ski and snowboard in the winter, and then enjoy the warm weather on a lake in the summer months. There are also many major cities within driving distance. I live in Buffalo and Toronto is a nearby destination,” says Julieann.
For some, the idea of returning to their roots draws them back to upstate New York or the New Jersey suburbs. “Many people that I speak with grew up here, attended school locally, or have other close personal ties. They tend to feel a pull to come home.”
No matter what fuels their desire to live in the Northeast, Julieann recognizes that a connection to VA’s mission is crucial for health care professionals interested in a career at VA. This parallels Julieann’s own personal story: After serving for 21 years in the Air Force as a logistics superintendent, Julieann was considering taking some time off when she found a job posting for her current position in Buffalo, NY.
“This was a position I never considered before,” explains Julieann, “and now, I want the physicians I speak with to enjoy the same wonderful experience I’ve had serving our Nation’s Veterans. It’s so uniquely and wonderfully different.”
What’s Julieann’s advice for VHA job seekers? The payoff is worth the job application process. “Never give up,” says Julieann. “I couldn’t imagine working anywhere else.”
To explore VHA opportunities, visit VACareers.va.gov. Physicians interested in a career at VA are invited to connect directly with a recruiter here.
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