Watch the slideshow featuring Penn State Health employees who have served in the military. To be featured, submit your information using this form. 

Click on the image below to view the photos on Flickr.

Graphic honoring veterans with American flags and the message

 

Penn State Health recognized as a VETS Indexes 3 Star Employer for 2026.

2026 VETS Indexes Recognized Employer

Penn State Health has been honored as a 2026 VETS Indexes Recognized Employer, a distinction that celebrates its dedication to veterans and the military-connected community. This recognition highlights the organization’s ongoing commitment to recruiting, hiring, retaining, and developing those who have served in the armed forces, along with their families.

Empowering Veterans Through Connection and Advocacy

Veteran-to-Veteran program connects patients and employees who served

The Veteran-to-Veteran program at Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, launched in 2025, offers veteran patients and their family members a chance to be visited by a Penn State Health or Penn State College of Medicine employee who also served in the military. The goal is to help build a sense of connection between patients and staff who share military experience, which can help improve communication and care. Patients and their family members who would like a Veteran-to-Veteran visit can ask their care team.

Penn State Health Military and Veterans Business Employee Resource Group

Penn State Health’s regional military and veterans business and employee resource groups are dedicated to recognizing, supporting and advocating for the rights and needs of military and veteran employees and patients. These groups also support workplace equity, promote staff development for employees and advance the delivery of high-quality and culturally sensitive care to the military and veteran populations.

To join the Penn State Health Military and Veterans Business Employee Resource Group, complete this short survey.

Commemorative Tributes Honoring Veterans and Fallen Heroes

National Wreaths Across America Day

Wreaths across America brand includes three wreaths with the words: Remember, Honor, Teach above each wreath.National Wreaths Across America Day is a time to remember, honor and educate through wreath-laying ceremonies at Arlington National Cemetery and more than 2,800 locations in all 50 states, at sea and abroad. In 2026, the event will be held on Saturday, Dec. 19.

How can I participate in National Wreaths Across America Day? 

Visit the Wreaths Across America website to sponsor a wreath to be placed on a fallen hero’s grave at Indiantown Gap National Cemetery. Or register as a volunteer.

What should I expect as a volunteer on National Wreaths Across America Day? 

You will join tens of thousands across the nation in placing wreaths on the grave markers of our fallen heroes. As you place each wreath, you will say the veteran’s name to ensure that person’s legacy of duty, service and sacrifice is never forgotten.

Flags of Honor program honors veterans and active-duty service members

Photo of the front entrance of Penn State Health St. Joseph Medical Center. The Nittany Lion statue is surrounded by small U.S. flags, with more flags in the background.

Through Penn State Health’s Flags of Honor program, 702 American flags waved outside its community hospitals from Memorial Day through mid-July this year.

Employees, patients, families and community members bought small U.S. flags to honor veterans and service members. Donors chose from six sites to display their tributes. Honorees, or their families, were notified.

Members of Penn State Health’s Military and Veteran Business Employee Resource Group organized, supplied and placed the flags. 

Fallen Comrade Tables displayed at Penn State Health hospitals

A Fallen Comrade Table, also known as a Missing Man Table, is displayed in the cafeterias at Penn State Health hospitals annually during the week of Memorial Day. The table is reserved to honor our fallen comrades in arms and symbolizes that they are here with us in spirit.

 

Service, strength and connection: Two Navy veterans find support in Penn State Health pulmonary rehab program

When Robert Johnson, 61, arrived at Penn State Health Holy Spirit Medical Center for his first pulmonary rehabilitation session, he was afraid to exercise. He couldn’t take the trash out to the curb at his Mount Holly Springs home without running out of breath. Johnson’s outlook began to change when another patient noticed his Wounded Warriors T-shirt and thanked him for his military service.

The patient, Gary Rosema, 75, of New Bloomfield, wore a U.S. Navy hat, and the two soon discovered they had both served as Master Chiefs in the U.S. Navy, the highest enlisted rank. Fewer than 1% of Navy personnel become Master Chiefs, which are technical experts and advisors to commanding officers. Read the full story.

Two men who are U.S. Navy veterans smile and pose for a photo with three women who are respiratory therapists. The man on the left has an oxygen tank in front of him.
Retired U.S. Navy Master Chief Petty Officers Gary Rosema, front left, and Robert Johnson pose with, from top left, Nancy Linebaugh, Gina Moist and Stacey Cannon of Penn State Health Pulmonary Rehabilitation at Holy Spirit Medical Center.