Remembering the Fallen, Honoring the Veterans May 27, 2021 by Tara Hernandez Chris Briggs, PA-C Mercy Health Norton Shores served for 15 years in the U.S. Army Memorial Day is about remembering and honoring the men and women who have nobly given their lives for our country. “It is a day to remember those who paid for all of our freedoms with their lives,” said Chris G. Briggs, PA-C, at Mercy Health Norton Shores and a U.S. Army veteran. “It’s about the people who aren’t here anymore. It is a day to remember the selflessness of others. Of all the Army values I hold most important, it is that the needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few. Serving others is the greatest of the things we can do.” Many of our Mercy Health colleagues and patients are veterans and the reasons they chose to serve range from having a servant’s heart, the desire to do something for the good of their country, or to follow in the footsteps of a friend or family member whom they remember and honor. For Mercy Health Saint Mary’s Screening Supervisor/Simulation Specialist, Jeff Trosper, the decision to join the U.S. Army was sparked by his grandfather and brother’s call to duty. “My grandfather served in World War II and eventually lost his life in the Battle of the Bulge,” said Trosper. “I am proud of my family’s service to our great country and know that our service provided safety and security to this great nation. Enlisting in the military was by far the best decision I have ever made, and I am very proud to have served.” Jeff Trosper, Mercy Health Saint Mary’s Screening Supervisor/Simulation Specialist served from 1983-1986 in the U.S. Army Medics have been caring for American service members on and off the battlefield since the Revolutionary War. At the start of World War I, there were several hundred nurses on active duty. By the end of the war, there were over 20,000, or half of all women who served in the armed forces. Today, more than 130,000 medical professionals serve in the armed forces, and many go on to medical careers outside of the military – including within our Mercy Health system. “I completed my Family Medicine residency training at Fort Benning, Georgia while I was on active duty and then served as Family Medicine Physician for four years taking care of soldiers and their families and retirees,” said Jaime Halverson, MD. “The military provided an opportunity to leave Michigan and see a little more of the world. I received the Health Professions Scholarship Program which paid for my medical school cost.” Dr. Halverson works in Family Medicine for Mercy Health Physician Partners Walker/Standale after serving seven years in the U.S. Army. The life-saving skills she was taught in the military prepared her for saving lives both at home and abroad. “I would not be where I am today without the training I received in the military,” said Dr. Halverson. “Not only did I learn the practice of medicine but also leadership, communication, and management skills. I was recently flying home from spring break when the flight attendant asked for help from any medical professional on the plane. After serving six months in Iraq, it had prepared me to react and respond to whatever may come through the door. Without hesitation, myself and another physician attended to the passenger until the plane landed.” Dr. Jaime Halverson of Mercy Health Physician Partners Walker/Standale served as a physician in the U.S. Army Briggs says his military service instilled patience in him, teaching him to remain calm even under stressful situations. “I use my experience every day,” said Briggs. “I can’t say a specific piece of training literally translates but my experience working with people from many different walks of life has given me a great glimpse into the lives of other people and has allowed me to connect with patients and employees alike on a personal level.” This upcoming Memorial weekend, the service members who were lucky to come home ask that we all remember that this weekend is not a celebration intended only for barbecues and parades. It’s a time to reflect, remember, and show reverence for those who lost their lives for the freedoms we enjoy today. “During the time I served in Iraq, there were soldiers in the units we worked with who were killed in the line of duty,” said Dr. Halverson. “Those soldiers gave their lives trying to help complete strangers in another country have a better way of living. Take a few moments on Memorial Day to reach out to a stranger or someone in need. Do this in honor of those who gave their lives to protect and serve our country.” Share this: TwitterFacebook Like this: Loading... Uncategorized Chris Briggs, Jaime Halverson, Jeff Trosper, Memorial Day, Tara Hernandez, US Army, Veteran Doctors, Veterans, Veterans in Healthcare Melanoma Awareness Mercy Health Saint Mary’s Honors the Fallen in Memorial Weekend Ceremony Share Your Thoughts Past Articles December 2021 November 2021 October 2021 September 2021 August 2021 July 2021 June 2021 May 2021 April 2021 March 2021 February 2021 January 2021 December 2020 November 2020 October 2020 September 2020 August 2020 July 2020 June 2020 May 2020 April 2020 March 2020 February 2020 January 2020 December 2019 November 2019 October 2019 September 2019 August 2019 July 2019 June 2019 May 2019 April 2019 March 2019 February 2019 January 2019 December 2018 November 2018 October 2018 September 2018 August 2018 July 2018 June 2018 May 2018 April 2018 March 2018 February 2018 January 2018 December 2017 November 2017 October 2017 September 2017 August 2017 July 2017 June 2017 May 2017 April 2017 March 2017 February 2017 January 2017 December 2016 November 2016 October 2016 September 2016 August 2016 July 2016 June 2016 May 2016 April 2016 March 2016 © 2021 Trinity Health