Hosptial honors veteran employees

They may not wear the uniform anymore, but their commitment to service has never ceased. It’s why UF Health Jacksonville takes time each November to recognize all employees who have served in the military.

“We let them know that we respect them. We appreciate what they have done — serving honorably to protect us and our country,” said Mohamed Bijani, an accountant at UF Health Jacksonville.

Bijani served in the Army Medical Command for 21 years. As an active-duty soldier, he was stationed in Germany and throughout the United States. “The advantage of being in the medical unit is you get a chance to serve all the different areas like the hospital and armory battalion. You are everywhere,” he said.

Bijani’s advocacy for his fellow service members continues today as chairman of the Military Affinity Group. This subgroup of the UF Health Jacksonville Diversity Council meets quarterly to review any changes that affect veterans' benefits and to discuss any needs that may arise.

“Between UF Health Jacksonville and UFJPI, we have 500 people who are either current military or veterans. This number is made up of only the staff and doesn’t even include our physicians who have also served,” Bijani said.

The city of Jacksonville has more than 150,000 veterans, many of whom receive medical treatment at UF Health. Their patient experience is greatly enhanced when they receive care from someone who also shares similar experiences from military service.

“When a patient comes in and talks to one of our employees who is also former military, they know they will be taken care off. They talk the same language,” Bijani said. “They feel at ease. They know they are in good hands being with someone who knows what they have been through.”

Senior leadership and the Diversity Council commemorate the sacrifices our military and former military employees have made during the annual Veterans Day ceremony. The 30-minute event kicked off with the national anthem and was followed by the recognition of each branch of the military. Several speakers shared words of appreciation, and the celebration concluded with food for the veterans. This year's celebration was held Wednesday, Nov. 9 in the East Expansion of the Clinical Center.

“The Military Affinity Group is an extended arm of UF Health’s appreciation for our veterans. We want them to know we are here for them with anything they may need,” Bijani said.

Any veteran interested in receiving information from the Military Affinity Group can contact Bijani at Mohamed.Bijani@jax.ufl.edu to be added the distribution list.