Veterans Day 2020

We Salute All Who Served and Serve

On this Veterans Day, we offer our sincere thanks to all the men and women who have served and continue to serve in our nation’s armed forces. These are special people who commit to serving with honor, dignity, and dedication to mission. At Grady, we see these attributes in action every day from our many veterans on staff who are dedicated to our mission to care for all in need.

Azariah Terrell

For Azariah Terrell, training in the Air Force Chaplain Candidate Program set him on the path to his role as Palliative Care Chaplain. Six years of active and continuing reserve duty as a chaplain have prepared Azariah for the daily challenges of helping patients and families through end-of-life care.

“I believe it is my duty to present a calm and reassuring ministry of presence to all people, no matter their religious or spiritual background. The Air Force Core Values are values I live by: Integrity first. Service before self. Excellence in all we do.”

Avis Simon

Navy Nurse Corps Lieutenant Commander Avis Simon puts her 28 years of military leadership skills to use every day, helping patients get the specialized care they need at Grady’s Georgia Comprehensive Sickle Cell Center. Like her father and two of her siblings, service to country came naturally. So does setting the bar high and working to ensure the needs of every patient are met with professionalism and compassion.

“My time in the Navy taught me not just how to be a leader, but how to be team-oriented, how to be flexible, and how to achieve the level of patient care that makes the sickle cell center one of the nation’s best.”

Brent Roycroft

As with many veterans, military service is a family tradition. Brent Roycroft’s grandfather was a Marine, and his dad served in the Air Force in Vietnam. A former Marine Lance Corporal, Brent now brings his commitment to service to Grady’s Public Safety Department and his role of field training officer. His leadership skills are excellent, say his supervisors, and he is often called on to use them at a moment’s notice.

“My years in the Marines taught me patience, helped me develop a sense of situational awareness and pay attention to detail. Maybe most importantly, it taught me the professionalism needed to succeed in life.”

Crystal Robinson

Grady Phlebotomist Crystal Robinson signed up for the Navy because of her need for speed – a fast-tracked medical education that would help her better understand her mother’s cancer diagnosis and treatment. Her high school recruiter told her about the Hospital Corpsman Program. Crystal passed the test and entered the school right out of boot camp.

“My years of working in a military hospital gave me the opportunity to care for all kinds of people, from different walks of life, with a variety of conditions. It was the perfect preparation for working at Grady, where I continue to learn while serving.”