Honoring Courage and Service: Celebrating Women Veterans Day – June 12

Each year on June 12, we recognize Women Veterans Day—a time to honor the extraordinary contributions, resilience, and sacrifices of the women who have served in the United States Armed Forces.

This meaningful day commemorates the Women’s Armed Services Integration Act of 1948, which granted women the right to serve as permanent, regular members of the military. Since then, women have continued to break barriers, lead with courage, and serve our country with distinction.

Understanding the Unique Needs of Women Veterans

Women veterans often carry experiences that differ from their male counterparts. Their service may include:

• High-stress operational and combat environments

• Unique physical and emotional health concerns

• Experiences such as military sexual trauma (MST)

• Distinct family and caregiving roles following service

At end-of-life, these experiences can resurface—making compassionate, trauma-informed care essential.

Honoring Our Own: Women Veterans at NJHealth

At NJHealth Hospice and Palliative Care, we are proud to support and honor veterans—including the women who have served our nation with courage and dedication.

Through our specialized Veteran Care Program, we ensure that each veteran’s story is not only acknowledged—but celebrated.

We are especially proud of the women within our own NJHealth community who have served. We thank our Pat Snyder-Vavra, RN, clinical consultant; and Elizabeth Parkinson, LPN for their service to our country in the United States Army. Their dedication to serving others continues in their work caring for our hospice patients.  They make us proud. It is an honor have these two wonderful nurses on the NJHealth Hospice and Palliative Care Team.

Elizabeth Parkinson, served in the Army as a field medic, reflects on the lasting impact of her service:

“I really loved the Army… it taught me so much—discipline, organization. I met so many amazing people that I still keep in touch with 40 years later. I saw things I would have never experienced otherwise and was part of the first Patriot missile battalion.”

She added that her time in the military gave her experiences “that a regular civilian doesn’t get,” shaping both her life and her approach to caring for others.

Patricia Snyder-Vavra, who also served in the Army in Airfield Operations, brings her military background into her compassionate patient care every day.

A Commitment to Honor and Dignity

“Our veterans— including women whose service has not always been fully recognized—deserve to feel seen, valued, and honored,” said Suzanne Martinelli, CEO of NJHealth Hospice and Palliative Care. “At NJHealth, we are committed to providing personalized, compassionate care that acknowledges not only their service, but their life story, their strength, and their legacy.”

A Mission of Compassion

At NJHealth, honoring veterans goes beyond clinical care. It includes:

• Veteran recognition ceremonies and pinning presentations

• Personalized care plans that reflect military experiences

• Opportunities for storytelling and legacy-building

• Connection with trained volunteers, including fellow veterans

For our women veterans, these moments of recognition are especially meaningful.

Join Us in Recognizing Women Veterans

We invite our community to take a moment on June 12 to:

• Thank a woman veteran

• Learn about their experiences

• Share their stories

• Support veteran-focused care programs

At NJHealth Hospice and Palliative Care, honoring veterans isn’t limited to one day—it’s a commitment we carry forward every day through compassionate, specialized care.

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