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Veterans Day, observed annually on Nov. 11, is a federal holiday for honoring military veterans who served in the United States Armed Forces. There are many veterans who work here at UVA Health and, in honor of the holiday, we asked team members to send in their photos. Below is what we received (so far). 

Thank you to all veterans, here at UVA Health and across the Commonwealth, country, and world, for your service.

We'll be updating this page as more photos come in. If you'd like to be included, please email a uniformed photo to uvaconnect@virginia.edu along with the following:

• Name, title, job at UVA Health?
• In which branch did you serve? What was your rank? When did you serve? What was your job in the military?
• What does Veterans Day mean to you?
• How did your military experience impact your role in healthcare? Does it affect how you care for patients, conduct research, or train students?

Short on time? Just send a photo and your name, branch of service (and dates served), and rank.

Jason Huffman, U.S. Army

At UVA Health, Jason Huffman is a Radiologic Technologist (R) OR X-Ray

Service: U.S. Army, E-5 Sergeant, 1993-2002, 96R Ground Surveillance Radar for three years and 92R Parachute Rigger (Airborne) for six years.

"Veterans Day is a time to reflect on the relationships cultivated with the people I served with. I usually get together with a few of them for a few days around Veterans Day each year."

Of his military experience, Jason says, "It taught me to be calm under pressure" and "I treat everyone the same as I was taught by my parents."

Tony Frazier, U.S. Air Force

At UVA Health, Tony Frazier is the UVA Director of Security.  "I’ve been proud to serve with the UVA Police Department for over seven years now."    

Service: A retired combat veteran, Tony served in the U.S. Air Force for 30+ years (July 1986 to August 2016) prior to transitioning from active duty to the private sector. "I was a Security Forces Member, performing primarily in the law enforcement, security, and antiterrorism skill sets."  

Tony says, "Veteran’s Day is very special to me as I think about my fallen teammates and their families, as well as my former teammates who are actively serving. I believe the discipline and professionalism that the military fostered in my life helped greatly for me to be successful working here at UVA. 

"Over the span of my career I was blessed to navigate 15 deployments which included Iraq, Afghanistan (3 times), and other austere locations. Those deployments and my service taught me compassion for my fellow human beings which translates well here at UVA." 

Wesley Gass, U.S. Army

At UVA Health, Wesley Gass is an RN Clin II in Electrophysiology.

Service: Army Specialist (E-4) from 2000-2004 as an M1A1 Armor Crewman “Tanker."

"For me Veterans Day is about all of those who have, at one point or another, worn the uniform of this nation and are still living. My military experience got me off to a very positive start by allowing me to focus on my nursing education and utilize the post-9/11 GI Bill without having to work during school and clinicals. My military service will often allow me to form a quick bond with patients who have served."

Samantha Hobbs, U.S. Air Force

At UVA Health, Samantha Hobbs, MSN, RN work as a Quality Improvement Analyst for the Heart and Vascular Center

Service: Captain, U.S. Air Force; Trauma Nurse, and Aeromedical Evacuation Coordinator

"At the former Craig Joint Theater Hospital in Bagram Air Field, Afghanistan, there was a tiny engraved plaque that read '… They [medics] are the last line of defense for survival and hope. There is no greater honor or service to mankind than this burden.'

"On this day (and all days) I take time to remember, with great pride, the hard work and sacrifices we made to save as many souls as possible. For those MASH lovers out there, you may recall Hawkeye’s 'war is war and hell is hell and of the two: war is a lot worse.'

"Veterans Day is a way to honor that difficult dynamic and to hold space for all individuals who have served the U.S. military, because ultimately freedom is never free. Proud to work along side so many other veterans that also found their way to UVA."

Mary Witt, U.S. Air Force

At UVA Health, Mary Witt, MD, is a community oncologist at UVA Cancer Center Augusta.

Service: U.S. Air Force from July 1995-June 2002. Internal medicine intern/resident at Wright Patterson AFB, 1995-1998; Staff Internist at Seymour Johnson AFB, 1998-2002. Rank at time of discharge: Major.

"Veteran’s Day reminds me that there are many struggling to deal with the mental and physical toll of service that can last long after active duty has ended.

"My military experience made me aware of the tremendous sacrifices that each member and their families make on a daily basis and taught me to never underestimate the extreme trauma that some have endured."

Jami Leithren, U.S. Army

At UVA Health, Jami Leithren, RNCC, works in the Fontaine Heart and Vascular Center.

Service: U.S. Army, active duty 1999-2001, as a 93Y Supply Specialist.

To Jami, Veterans Day "is a day to remember those who offered their freedom to protect ours."

"I learned who I was in the military, and that I can do hard things. I learned discipline and self-motivation, and how to work as a member of a team/work family. That experience has helped me be a better nurse and to give the best care to my patients and coworkers."

Andrew Muck, U.S. Air Force

At UVA Health, Andrew Muck, MD, MBA, is Chair, Department of Emergency Medicine

Service: United States Air Force, Major.

"I served at Wilford Hall Medical Center and Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio, as well as Balad Air Force Theater Hospital in Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Bagram Air Force Theater Hospital in Afghanistan as a Critical Care Air Transport Team physician in support of Operation Enduring Freedom; I was an emergency medicine physician while on active duty.

"Veterans Day means a time to honor the men and woman who served our country in uniform.  I have seen the cost of this service and I have a sense of gratitude for the personal sacrifice by our veterans.

"My military experience shapes who I am today. I think about true service and sacrifice. I honor our veterans’ service and sacrifice by finding ways to serve in our community today to make our country a little bit better."

Christopher Joseph, U.S. Marine Corps

At UVA Health, Christopher Joseph is a Supply Chain Specialist for UVA Prosthetics and Orthotics.

Service: United States Marine Corps. Staff Sergeant (SSgt). July 2013-December 2020. Logistics Specialist (0411). 

"Veterans Day is a day to honor those who have served in the United States Armed Forces. I love to celebrate and thank others who have served because there’s a particular bond among veterans through shared experiences and hardships."

"After spending nine months in Iraq, I was presented with the honor of being a Marine Corps Liaison for the Wounded Warrior Battalion East Walter Reed Detachment. During this time, I was responsible for a section of active-duty Marines who were wounded, ill, or injured. I was also responsible for active duty, reservists, MEDEVACs, or veteran Marines who came to our hospital, Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, as inpatients. This humbling and honorable experience inspired me to want to continue to lend a helping hand within healthcare! My time in the Marine Corps has given me a sense of pride, knowledge, experience, and commitment to everything that crosses my path, and a patient’s care is treated no differently. We give it our all to try and make a difference!"

Kyle Webb, Army National Guard

At UVA Health, Kyle Webb is a Clin 2 RN in the STICU.

"I served six years in the Army National Guard, from 2013-2019. I spent some time in Florida as a line medic for an artillery unit then subsequently transferred to the 429th BSB in Charlottesville. I was assigned to a medevac squad and was responsible for the emergency medical treatment, transportation, and handoff of care to civilian personnel.

"My time in the military has provided me with unique experience that helped to hone my skills in assessing and triaging patients under various conditions. Veterans Day to me, is a day to show support for those that have served and are serving, and in remembrance of those that have given their lives for this country."