Meet four veteran employees of Hendrick Health

In honor of Veterans Day on November 11, Hendrick Health used the week to showcase a small sampling of our team members who served in the military.

Holly Gover, RN, MSN, CIC
Manager, Infection Prevention
Hendrick Medical Center

What are your day-to-day responsibilities?
My responsibilities include hospital-wide rounding, hand hygiene education, investigating hospital-associated infections, reviewing surgical procedures and collaborating with infectious disease physicians. I also notify local, state and federal agencies that require the reporting of 88 conditions when diagnosed, such as sexually transmitted diseases, food-borne illnesses and tuberculosis. I also work on infection prevention processes in Environmental Services, Lab, Pharmacy, Respiratory, Supply Chain and Emergency Management.

Recap your military career.
I have a rich family tradition of military service by my grandfather, father, two brothers and my son. My father was drafted during the Korean conflict, and he told us, whatever we did, not to join the U.S. Army. Despite his advice, we all had successful careers in the U.S. Army. Mine included mobilizations in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom.

I joined after high school and served on active duty for three years in Germany. After taking a break to start my family, I returned to the U.S. Army Reserves with a direct commission into the Army Nurse Corp. Shortly afterward, I was mobilized to Fort Hood near Killeen to work in Soldier Readiness Processing (SRP) to ensure soldiers were medically ready to deploy to combat areas and to assess their health on return from deployment. While at Fort Hood, I worked alongside my son, who is currently on active duty. My second mobilization was to Fort Bliss near El Paso to work in the Soldier Readiness Unit (SRU) to manage the combat-injured service members to prepare them to return to work or transition to civilian life.

After returning from mobilization, I was assigned to the 7231st Medical Support Unit in Lubbock as executive officer, and followed on as unit commander. I will retire in December with 21 years of combined service.

Why did you become involved in healthcare?
My mother and four aunts were career nurses. I was intrigued by stories my mom shared. My dream since I was 6 was to follow in my mom’s footsteps. My motivation to pursue nursing in the U.S. Army was to give back to our great nation by serving and caring for those who served.

What brought you to Hendrick Health?
I enjoyed my clinical experience at Hendrick while attending Abilene Intercollegiate School of Nursing (AISN), now the Patty Hanks Shelton School of Nursing of McMurry University. I felt a connection with the staff and physicians. In May 2003, I began working at Hendrick Medical Center on the Oncology Unit.

Erika Johnson
Accountant I
Hendrick Medical Center Brownwood

What are your day-to-day responsibilities?
I handle several accounting activities, such as month-end close, monthly account reconciliations, daily reports for directors and special projects.

Recap your military career.
I attended U.S. Army basic training and advanced individual training at Fort Jackson, South Carolina, in January 1993. I was a 63-B light wheel mechanic. I chose this to better my understanding when it comes to car maintenance.

My first duty station was Fort Polk, Louisiana. I was the only mechanic in my small unit, providing maintenance on all Humvees, 2½- and 5-ton vehicles, generators, forklifts, etc. My second duty station was Fort Hood near Killeen in a larger unit, where I provided maintenance on all vehicles in the company. I next served as a mechanic at Reserves Camp Mabry, Austin, in 1996. I was called up for 9/11 and returned to Fort Hood. In 2002, my mother became very ill, and I was released from duty with an honorable discharge with the rank of sergeant and returned home to care for her.

Why did you become involved in healthcare?
In 2020, I moved to Brownwood to be closer to my dad and stepmom. (I lost my mom in 2018.) After moving here, I secured a job at the hospital in accounting before it became Hendrick Medical Center Brownwood.

What do you enjoy about being a part of Hendrick?
I enjoy working with my team, and I have found out how much I enjoy numbers and accounting. What a difference in careers!

Harold Turner
Manager, Facility Management
Hendrick Medical Center South (HMCS)

What are your day-to-day responsibilities?
I’m responsible for the operations, repair and preventative maintenance of all equipment and machinery in the inventory of the entire Hendrick Health south campus, which includes HMCS and nearby buildings. My tasks include planning and estimating all work and projects and coaching and supervising a team of 11 individuals.

Recap your military career.
I joined the U.S. Air Force in January 1986 while attending college. I started my career in security/law enforcement and was stationed in various places in the United States and overseas.

In 1998, I cross trained in the education and training career field. An easy way to explain the role is that I was like a college guidance counselor, assisting military members with degree requirements and class enrollments and overseeing all annual mandatory training requirements. When I retired with 26 years of service, my last position was at Dyess Air Force Base as maintenance training superintendent for 7th Bomb Wing. I provided direct oversite of all mandatory training requirements for more than 1,500 military personnel, with a department of 15 trainers, schedulers and instructors.

Why did you become involved in healthcare?
After retirement, I just got lucky. I was looking for a job that provided a solid foundation. I always had a passion to help others, learn other aspects of jobs and have the opportunity for a diverse range of career paths. I felt healthcare offered a chance to make a direct impact on individuals and communities.

What brought you to Hendrick Health?
I saw an open position in Security. Within six months, I was promoted to shift supervisor. A few years later, I was selected for the position of manager for Safety and Emergency Management for Hendrick Medical Center. The position later was divided, and I oversaw Safety and Compliance departments for the hospital in north Abilene. In 2022, I assumed my current position at HMCS.

What do you enjoy about being a part of Hendrick?

I really enjoy the people, the leadership and the opportunities that Hendrick has given me. It’s a great place to work with a great group of people!

Laura Whetzel
Benefits Coordinator, Human Resources
Hendrick Service Center

What are your day-to-day responsibilities?
I work with the administration of benefits, including assisting employees with questions and concerns.

Recap your military career.
I was active duty in the U.S. Air Force from 2013 to 2019, reaching the enlisted rank of staff sergeant. My job as emergency manager (craftsman) included developing and maintaining the installation emergency management program and operating and managing the Emergency Operations Center during incidents. Tasks included preventing, preparing, responding to and recovering from natural and human-made disasters and incidents.

My assignments included Dyess Air Force Base, Royal Air Force Alconbury in England and Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar.

Why did you become involved in healthcare?
I was inspired by my mother, who was a certified nursing assistant and caregiver, and my sister, who is a registered nurse. They instilled in me a better understanding and appreciation for healthcare workers. I wanted to support those who provide direct patient care.

What brought you to Hendrick Health?
I came back to Abilene due to my husband’s acceptance into the Hardin-Simmons University Physical Therapy program. I was drawn to Hendrick Health because of its mission and values. I strategically searched for an organization with meaningful core values. I started in my current role in September 2024.

What do you enjoy about being a part of Hendrick?
I enjoy being a part of something bigger than oneself where I can continue to serve and grow with others. Hendrick Health has provided the opportunity to showcase and enhance my personal and professional experience/skill set. I’m honored to be a part of this great organization. The sense of purpose and camaraderie is amazing! I look forward to many more years of service with Hendrick Health.