What is the Monument Health Veterans Group? 

We are a group of 322 veterans who are also physicians and caregivers working at Monument Health. We make up a volunteer group to support our patients and communities. Our main goal is making connections with veterans who are being treated at our inpatient facilities. When registering, veterans can request a visit by one of our volunteers, and we do our best to make it happen. 

Why is it so important that this group exists at Monument Health? 

There are a significant number of veterans living in the communities we serve, many of them work for Monument Health. Because of that, we go the extra mile to show our veteran patients and communities how much we care about them. Military service provides a unique perspective, and veterans often share an unspoken bond from experiences that are hard to understand if you haven’t lived through them. That shared understanding — knowing you’re not alone — can have a major impact on patient care. 

What are some of the goals and projects that the Military Veterans Group has completed? 

We provide Hero Walks, which is when a veteran passes away, we line the hallway to pay our respects to them and to their family. We try to provide veteran inpatients with a visit when requested and place a branch-related veteran magnet and an American flag magnet on the frame of their room door. We also present them with a pin and certificate, thanking them for their service. Volunteering is a big part of our group. We’re always looking for opportunitiesat veteran-related events throughout the Black Hills. 

What would you like people to know about the group? 

Every one of our members has volunteered in caring for veterans and their families during critical times in their lives. This spirit of service is strengthened by the sisterhood and brotherhood we share as former service members.