May is Military Appreciation Month. At Shady Grove Fertility Center, we are proud of our employees and their family members who have served or are currently serving our country. Through the years, we have supported several employees and spouses during periods of military deployment by providing flexible time off and supporting their wellbeing during active duty status. As a result, we have been honored as a Patriotic Employer by the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve Committee (ESGR).
Shady Grove Fertility Center would like to recognize all the men and women who serve our country. When we asked our staff how many of them served or who had a family member in the military, the response was overwhelming.
Read more about our honorable military families and share your appreciation of the armed forces people in your life.
My Name: Jeffrey L. McKeeby, MD
SGF Position: Physician in Annapolis, MD
Branch: US Navy
Rank/Position: Commander
Years of Service: 14 active, 4 reserve
Awards/Recognition: Army Achievement Medal, Overseas Service with star, Meritorious Unit Commendation
Deployment: Support Relocation operation of Kurdish Refugees
Fondest or Most Exciting Memory of Serving: I spent four years in Guam where I met the most amazing people, both military and civilian. Went to the island of Yap where men still wear loin cloths, and women wear grass skirts (and nothing else).
How has serving in the military changed your life? Any skills you still use today?
Military service teaches you that for each of us there is a higher purpose and that teamwork is essential to any success. You learn to rely on others, and have others rely on you. Its ok if you don’t always get your way or what you want. But as Mick Jagger once said “you get what you need”.
Spending time overseas on duty to Japan, Iceland, and Guam as well as the ability to travel to far away places opens your mind to other people and ideas. Would not trade that time for anything.
My Name: Marsha DeWeese
SGF Position: Clinical Operations Director
Branch: US Navy
Rank/Position: Commander/Nurse Corp
Years of Service: 24
Awards/Recognition: Navy Achievement; Navy Commendation; Navy Meritorious Service; many medals for serving in the Persian Gulf War
Deployment: Stationed at various duty stations on the East Coast and Midwest, plus Iceland and the USNS Comfort (hospital ship) during the Persian Gulf War in 1990
Fondest or Most Exciting Memory of Serving: I loved the year I spent in Iceland – Iceland is a beautiful country, the people are lovely, and it was a great spot to catch hops to Europe. My 4 months on the USNS Comfort were definitely my most exciting times! We found out on a Thursday afternoon we would be leaving on Monday, and we had no idea when we would be back.
The USNS Comfort is a 1000 bed floating hospital and sailing across the Atlantic, thru the Suez Canal, and into the Persian Gulf was quite an experience along with setting up the ship to care for patients. I was able to spend a little time in Bahrain and Abu Dhabi, neither place would I have ever visited if not for my time on the Comfort.
How has serving in the military changed your life? Any skills you still use today?
The Navy Nurse Corp taught me flexibility, adaptability, and discipline which all of which have served me well in and out of the Navy. The military pushes you to grow, advance, and achieve and I obtained my BNS and MS while on active duty.
Plus, I met my husband while stationed at Great Lakes (he was a healthcare administrator in the Medical Service Corp, achieved the rank of Commander {went from E1 to O5}, and is now retired after 36 years in the Navy) and we have been married for 25 years – I could easily say he was my most important find in the Navy!
My Name: Margaret Ann Connors
SGF Position: Nurse Practitioner, Donor Team
Branch: US Navy
Rank/Position: Captain Nurse Corps. Last position prior to retirement was “Team Leader” of over 300 military and civilian personnel belonging to the Women and Children’s Health “Product Line” and providing both inpatient and outpatient medical and nursing care.
Years of Service: 25
Awards/Recognition: Meritorious Service Medal, Navy Commendation Medal(s), Navy Achievement Medal(s); Combat Action Ribbon; and numerous campaign ribbons for Operational deployments. Runner up Navy Medical Recruiter of the Year
Deployment: 1) 8 months on board USNS COMFORT during Desert Storm and Desert Shield. This was the “maiden voyage”. We spend the ride over cleaning up coal dust from Dundalk and “developing” the hospital.
2) 8 weeks on board USNS COMFORT during Operation Iraqi Freedom. Took casualties within a week of arrival in the Persian Gulf. We had Iraqi’s and US Military as well as Iraqi civilians as patients.
3) Numerous short deployments with the USMC when at Kanehoe MCB Hawaii
Fondest or Most Exciting Memory of Serving: There are so many!! During my first deployment, I had been in the Navy approximately 11 years and never really felt a part of the Navy. The “cruise” to the Persian Gulf was a pretty uncomfortable feeling…we were going to war.
When we arrived in the Persian Gulf, we were greeted by the USS John F. Kennedy (I think) and welcomed by banners, cheers, and loud speakers. What a relief and a sense of belonging. I also felt SAFE.
How has serving in the military changed your life?
I taught me a tremendous sense of responsibility and what’s really important in life. It made me extremely flexible and able to adapt to any environment (if I want to!). I also have a variety of “best friends” all over the world.
Any skills you still use today?
Absolutely, I think my skill of paying attention to detail was instilled in me primarily by intimidating and tenacious Navy nurses. Although not necessarily attributable to the Navy, but possibly a result of the way I was raised, I don’t sweat the small stuff.
My Name: Bianca Garces
SGF Position: Admin Asst., Donor Team
Branch: US Army
Rank/Position: Sergeant/ 92A- Automated Logistics Specialist
Years of Service: 11yrs and counting
Awards/Recognition: Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Army Reserves Components Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
Deployment: Operation Iraqi Freedom February 2004-February 2005, Operation Iraqi Freedom February 2008-December 2008
Fondest or Most Exciting Memory of Serving: All my fellow Soldiers that I have trained and served with. Those are relationships that are made with such little effort yet it seems like you’ve known each other for years. I’ve built friendships with such strong bonds! We are family.
How has serving in the military changed your life? Any skills you still use today?
Its made me into the person I am today. I try not to take things for granted because of the things I’ve seen in my time. I value our freedom that some may not realize how lucky we really are to have. More importantly I’ve learned to be persistent and motivated towards my goals. I have to make things happen for myself, so quitting is not an option 🙂
My Name: Terra Burton
SGF Position: Andrologist
Branch: US Army
Rank/Position: SGT
Years of Service: 8 years (Jan1999- May 2007)
Awards/Recognition: Army Commendation Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Reserve Components Overseas Training Ribbon, and Overseas Service Ribbon
Fondest or Most Exciting Memory of Serving:Serving my country is a very rewarding memory in its own. However, I was fortunate to be apart of a humanitarian mission in Dominica Republic helping Dominicans who had never received medical attention.
To help less fortunate individuals with basic medical care and food and water was beyond belief. It brought sheer happiness and such appreciation to my life.
How has serving in the military changed your life? Any skills you still use today?
I have such an appreciation for my health that I have taken for granted. Serving in the military gives you a feeling of honor that you cannot gain by having any other job. A feeling of meaning. I still and will always carry these feeling.
My Name: Asia Winger
SGF Position: Patient Services
Branch: US Air Force
Rank/Position: Finance/Accounting, Military Pay Technician
Years of Service: 4
Awards/Recognition: Star Award and numerous Merit Awards
Fondest or Most Exciting Memory of Serving:Singing the National Anthem at Ceremonies such as Retirements
How has serving in the military changed your life? Any skills you still use today?
I would say the Military has made me mentally stronger. I learned that a big part of many of life’s challenges and obstacles are mental. The mind effects the way humans view everything.
Once people realize the power of the human mind then half the battle is already won. If I could do the whole military experience over again I definitely would.
My Name: Lori Martin (pictured right)
SGF Position: Medical Assistant
Branch: US Air Force
Rank/Position: E-3
Years of Service: 2
Awards/Recognition: Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal along with regular achievement medals.
Deployment: Operation Southern Watch, Ali Al Saleem Air Base, Kuwait 2001
Fondest or Most Exciting Memory of Serving:Traveling, experiencing places I wouldnt normally visit
How has serving in the military changed your life? Any skills you still use today?
For an 18 year old that has only known living at home with my parents, going into the Air Force helped build my independence and showed me that nothing is impossible to achieve. Self Confidence.
My Name: Kim Castillo
SGF Position: Nurse
Branch: US Navy
Rank/Position: E3
Years of Service: 3
Fondest or Most Exciting Memory of Serving:
I served during the Reagan years. Morale was high. I was stationed on San Clemente Island, a military only island about 80 miles off the coast of San Diego, CA. It was here that I met and married my best friend. That was twenty seven years ago.
How has serving in the military changed your life? Any skills you still use today?
My husband and I loved the military lifestyle. Meeting new and different people yet having one goal in common. The military also fit my personality, very structured.
My Name: Steven & Jeanne Zito
SGF Position: Steve – Nurse Anesthetist; Jeanne – Nurse
Branch: US Air Force
Rank/Position: Nurse corp
Years of Service: Steven – 8; Jeanne – 6
Deployment: We both were sent to Desert Storm under George Bush during our stay in the Miliary.
How has serving in the military changed your life? Any skills you still use today?
My husband and I loved the military lifestyle. Meeting new and different people yet having one goal in common. The military also fit my personality, very structured.
| My Name: Gwendolyn Anne Simmons SGF Position: Billing Specialist Branch: US Army Reserves 698 Supply Company Rank/Position: SP5 Years of Service: 4 1/2 | My Name: Rod Lewis SGF Position: Nurse Anesthetist Branch: US NavyMy Name: Jessica Buggs SGF Position: Nurse Branch: National Guard My Name: Anitha Barber SGF Position: Financial Counselor |
Honoring the Families Who Have Served
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ARMY Terra Burton (self, brother, father) | AIR FORCE Steven & Jeanne Zito (self) Lori Martin (self) Asia Winger (self) Kelly P. (husband) Barbara R. (sons) Margaret G. (son) Caitlin S. (brother) Mary H. (son, brother) Denise B. (daughter) Jennfer W. (husband) Melanie B. (father) Tatiana B. (brother-in-law) Ann S. (father, brother) Sarah T. (husband) Heather D. (brother) Sabrina B. (nephew) MARINES Deirdre D. (husband) Gloria B. (husband) Melissa P. (grandfather) Mary H. (fatehr) Kendra N. (husband) Taryn H. (husband) Martha L. (brother) Nancy H. (father) Angela M. (son-in-law, nephew) | NAVY Marsha DeWeese (self, husband) Margaret Ann Connors (self) Rod Lewis (self) Jeff McKeeby (self, wife) Kim Castillo (self) Ashely R. (brothers) Sabrina B. (husband) Beth K. (daughter) Kathy S. (father) Angela T. (father) Carla W. (brother) Mary H. (brother) Setphanie J. (husband) Jeannette M. (father) Nancy H. (brothers) Danielle H. (significant other) Tori T. (father) NATIONAL GUARD Jessica Buggs (self) Rachana G. (father) Kara G. (son) Reinette S. (husband) COAST GUARD Carol T. (son) Mary H. (brother) Amanda R. (grandfather) Maria P. (father, uncle) |
