Honoring our veterans at Beacon Health System

Veterans Day, observed on November 11, 2025, is a time to recognize and honor those who have served our country with courage, commitment and sacrifice.

At Beacon Health System, we are proud to work alongside many veterans who continue to serve others through their dedication to caring for our patients, communities and one another.

Their experiences and lessons learned in the military have shaped the compassion, teamwork and resilience they bring to Beacon every day. We thank each of them for their service to our nation — and for the lasting impact they make within our organization.

Learn more about some of Beacon’s veterans and what their service means to them:

SGT Matthew Anderson, USMC (Ret.) RCIS, BS – Cardiovascular Technician, Beacon Kalamazoo
Branch/Role: U.S. Marine Corps, 6 years – Amphibious Reconnaissance Marine (0321)
Memorable experience: Serving among the best friends and Marines possible within the Recon community.
What I carry today: Taking care of my people and my equipment before myself.
Impact on work at Beacon: Staying calm in chaos and focusing on helping those in need.
What Veterans Day means: Recognizing and thanking veterans from all eras — every role matters.
Anything else: Veterans bring invaluable skills and perspective to any team. There’s no better friend, and no worse enemy, than a Marine Corps veteran.

Ron Bass – Senior Systems Analyst
Branch/Role: U.S. Army, 20 years – Senior Finance Non-Commissioned Officer
Memorable experience: Reenlisting on the South Lawn of the White House.
What I carry today: Values that are part of who I am: Accountability, integrity and teamwork.
Impact on work at Beacon: I put forth maximum effort so that my leaders can accomplish their goals.
What Veterans Day means: A time to reflect on the sacrifices made by all who served to keep our country free.
Additional thoughts: The Army gave me the opportunity to experience the cultures of Turkey, Italy, Belgium and Germany.

Jim Curry, RN, Cardiac Catheterization Lab
Branch/Role: U.S. Army, 1982–1988 – Audio/Television Production Specialist
Memorable experience: Documenting events for the United Nations Command in Seoul, including meetings between North and South Korea  and even stepping a few feet into North Korea. Serving as lead pallbearer on a military funeral team was a tremendous honor.
What I carry today: Commitment to finishing the job, looking out for others and taking pride in our nation.
Impact on work at Beacon: I still keep my hair short – which helps with my scrub cap – but more importantly, I maintain discipline, support my coworkers and ensure every patient is safe while under my care.
What Veterans Day means: It’s a time to recognize those who willingly accepted the risk of giving everything to preserve the freedoms we enjoy.

Daniel Fulkerson, MD – Pediatric Neurosurgeon
Branch/Role: U.S. Air Force, 1998–2003 – General Medical Officer/Emergency Medicine
Memorable experience: The wonderful people I met and still keep in touch with, and being overseas during 9/11.
What I carry today: The best part of the military is the people you work with and the pride you feel serving your country.
Impact on work at Beacon: The discipline and dedication required in the military prepared me well for medical training and my career.
What Veterans Day means: A chance to reflect on the people and families who serve, have served and sacrifice a lot for their country.
Additional thoughts: It’s still an honor to care for military veterans as patients. We have lifelong friends and memories from our time in service.

Robert Hurtekant – Specialist, Clinical Documentation
Branch/Role: U.S. Air Force, 6 years – Non-Commissioned Officer, Weather Equipment Specialist
Memorable experience: Diagnosing and maintaining storm detection radar systems while leading and training other personnel.
What I carry today: Leadership, commitment, analytical thinking and teamwork learned through advanced technical training.
Impact on work at Beacon: My military education and discipline shaped my analytical and leadership approach in healthcare.
What Veterans Day means: A reminder of the origins of Armistice Day and a call to remember the sacrifices of our military and their families.

Eric Laird, RN – MHSB Emergency Care Center
Branch/Role: Marine Corps, 4.5 years – Combat Engineer; U.S. Army Reserves, 15 years and still serving in Psychological Operations
Memorable experience: Being one of the first to take Combat Life Saver Classes — the experience that led me to become a nurse.
What I carry today: Calm under pressure, which is essential in high-stress situations in the Emergency Care Center.
Impact on work at Beacon: Exposure to many cultures helps me better serve our diverse community.
What Veterans Day means: A remembrance of the dedication and service of those who have preserved the American way of life.
Additional thoughts: Go Irish!

LaTasha Paige, MISyE, MHA, MSM, RN, CSSBB, CQE, CQA, Lean Bronze – Executive Director, Nursing Clinical Services and Operations
Branch/Role: Army National Guard, 2010–Present – Support Operations Officer (Major)
Memorable experience: Flying in and running out of helicopters — riding in Chinooks and Blackhawks.
What I carry today: Confidence, resilience, and the ability to find solutions in the heat of the moment.
Impact on work at Beacon: I bring teamwork and determination to every challenge, reassuring my teams that together we can overcome anything.
What Veterans Day means: A day to celebrate and reflect on my service and that of my comrades.

Enrique Romero – Director, Physician Practice Operations
Branch/Role: U.S. Navy, 7+ years – Petty Officer 2nd Class, Hospital Corpsman serving alongside the U.S. Marines
Memorable experience: Serving 13 months in Iraq, training and fighting with the Iraqi Army and leading their first medic course.
What I carry today: Team mentality, collaboration, and the importance of leadership in every role.
Impact on work at Beacon: I lead with resilience, transparency and partnership — ensuring teams are heard and engaged.
What Veterans Day means: A celebration of our military accomplishments and appreciation for those who served before us.

Frederick Welker, NREMT-P – Transport Paramedic
Branch/Role: Indiana Army National Guard, 13 years – Infantry and Military Police Officer
Memorable experience: Tours in Iraq, camaraderie with fellow soldiers, and the shock of real Basic Training.
What I carry today: Integrity — owning my mistakes and learning from them.
Impact on work at Beacon: A “can-do” attitude.
What Veterans Day means: A day to thank and recognize all who have served and sacrificed for our country.
Additional thoughts: Most veterans would do it all again. We serve for those before us and those who will come after.

Jonathan Wohlford – Manager, Patient Care Services, Community Hospital of Bremen
Branch/Role: U.S. Army Paratrooper
Memorable experience: Participating in the D-Day celebration jump in Normandy and meeting WWII veterans was an unforgettable honor.
What I carry today: Servant leadership — ensuring my team is cared for before myself.
Impact on work at Beacon: Being a servant leader and supporting my team is of the utmost importance.
What Veterans Day means: Respecting what those before me have done; honoring my brothers and sisters in service.
Additional thoughts: My time in the military, though cut short by injury, shaped who I am today, and I am grateful for it.