Daniel Finds Service Satisfying as Hampton/USPHS Partnership Benefits Veterans
Diamond in the rough; the spark to a flame; glimmering crystal. Occasionally, one might find small slivers of life that make incredible experiences.
Something like that happened when United States Public Health Service (USPHS) Officer Lt. Meagan Daniel joined the Hampton VA Medical Center (Hampton) nursing staff. Diamond in the rough; the spark to a flame; glimmering crystal. Occasionally, one might find small slivers of life that make incredible experiences. Something like that happened when United States Public Health Service (USPHS) Officer Lt. Meagan Daniel joined the Hampton VA Medical Center (Hampton) nursing staff.
Several influences converged for her decision to seek a commission in the United States Public Health Service (USPHS). She left a successful business career after more than ten years, to embark on a mission of service as a nurse in USPHS. Commissioned in September 2024, Daniel was assigned to the Hampton VA Medical Center Nursing Acute Care Service, where she serves among regular VA staff. “Megan is an outstanding member of our team,” according to her supervisor, Amy Brueder.
A few years ago, Hampton initiated a relationship with the United States Public Health Service (USPHS) through a 2017 VA/US Department of Health and Human Services Memorandum of Agreement (MOA), offering some relief to staffing challenges. Partnering with USPHS enabled Hampton leaders with a way to integrate experienced clinicians quickly without lengthy onboarding. The USPHS is one of eight United States Uniformed Services. USPHS conducts research, responds to disasters, and addresses public crises, boasting a rich heritage of health-related service around the globe, since its inception through the Navy in 1798.
According to Hampton Nurse Executive, Marie Robinson-Mclaughlin, Hampton also concurrently initiated a pilot program there that would help to train newly-commissioned USPHS clinicians. It proved a perfect complement to the placement of established USPHS Officers at Hampton.
Enter Lt. Daniel: “My first detail was to an acute telemetry medical-surgical unit [there].” In previous roles, “I primarily focused on post-operative cardiac, thoracic, and vascular patient care. My current unit has broadened my knowledge and skill set, expanding my practice to encompass multiple body systems as well as mental health care,” she said.
Brueder, says it isn’t hard to incorporate USPHS Officers into operations and coordination with USPHS liaisons is simple and convenient. She says, “Meagan seamlessly integrated into our team and our Veterans truly connect with her.” To drive the point home, Brueder explained that Daniel “stepped up to partner with me to develop a Nurse Admission and Discharge Navigator Pilot on the unit.” Brueder described how Damiel the project uses micro-level engagement to collect, track and analyze patient experiences during the discharge process to improve future organizational performance. She claims the effort is a huge success and that because of Daniel’s collaborative contributions, “Veteran experience scores soared higher than the national averages.” Brueder welcomes the opportunity to work with more USPHS Officers.
Lt. Daniel has strong military ties. In fact, she is reminded of that every day, driving onto the Hampton campus via Franklin Blvd—"sharing a name with my grandfather, Franklin T. Pritchett, a retired U.S. Air Force Master Sergeant.”
She says, after working at the Cleveland Clinic a couple of years, “Working with Veterans has been especially rewarding; it requires a whole-health approach; reinforcing the importance of addressing all aspects of a patient’s life... I am grateful for the opportunity to apply what I learned and translate it into meaningful clinical impact for individuals who have made tremendous sacrifices protecting our nation’s freedom.”
Changing careers in her mid-thirties, she devoted a lot of thought to her path; “One of the strengths of serving in the USPHS is the expectation—and encouragement—to grow both professionally and personally.” She feels she is in the right place, adding, “I feel well-positioned and well-supported to pursue meaningful career developments.”
Offering resources otherwise hard to come by, the USPHS quickly delivers dedicated clinical professionals, and Hampton leadership considers it “indispensable.” But the service is also rewarding.
While caring for a young female veteran who had completed her service and was residing in Virginia, far from her friends, family, and support system, Daniel connected with her through shared experiences. “[We] lived in the same region previously, and we bonded over mutual interests such as the outdoor activities and nature in that area. By the end of our conversation, she was smiling and visibly more at ease - something especially significant because it was her first hospital stay. Being able to ease her fear and uncertainty by connecting beyond the reason for her admission is a moment I will never forget.”