Caring Beyond the Uniform

She is not only a skilled caregiver, but a Veteran whose story of resilience and service shines as a testament to the power of determination. Every day, TaTonja brings both clinical expertise and a deep well of compassion to her work, caring for Veterans and reminding us that every challenge can be met with courage.

A Path of Service and Leadership

TaTonja’s journey began with a simple yet powerful question: What else is out there? Growing up in Mississippi, she was eager to see more of the world and do something different. Right after nursing school, she took a leap and joined the Navy to travel and do what she loved, caring for people. “I joined the Navy as a nurse because I wanted to see what was out there,” she said with a smile.

At just 21, she found herself at Portsmouth Naval Hospital in Virginia, thrown into a world that demanded quick thinking and confident leadership. “The military was sink or swim,” she shared. “From the moment you walked in, you were expected to lead.” For TaTonja, that challenge became an opportunity to grow. She built bonds with people from different backgrounds, learned how to step up in tough moments, and discovered strength she didn’t even know she had.

While in the Navy, TaTonja’s commander encouraged her to go back to school. That push set her on a path of continuous learning. “They told me, ‘It’s free, you’re going,’” she laughed, remembering how she balanced full-time work with full-time classes. “That drive to keep learning and growing has stayed with me ever since.”

After five years on active duty, TaTonja transitioned to the Navy Reserves, then to the Mississippi Army National Guard, and later the Army Reserves, always serving as a nurse practitioner. “I wanted to keep helping people, and the military gave me so many ways to do that,” she said. In mid-June, she will officially retire from military service, closing a chapter that has been at the heart of her life for several decades.

A Personal Connection to Healing

Her journey in healthcare took an unexpected turn after her son was born. She developed severe joint pain and swelling and was misdiagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis. “I couldn’t walk up the stairs, I couldn’t open a door,” she said. “It was a terrifying experience.” Though later diagnosed with a temporary condition called reactive arthritis, that scare changed her perspective. 

When the job in rheumatology opened up at the VA, she saw it as more than a new opportunity. “It felt like everything was pointing me in that direction,” she said. “I had gone through something similar myself, and I knew I could bring that understanding to the Veterans I cared for.”

Working at VA gave TaTonja a way to combine her passion for service with her firsthand experience as a Veteran. “This place isn’t just a job for me, it’s a mission,” she said. “I see the faces of people who’ve worn the same uniform, who’ve faced the same challenges, and I know I’m right where I’m meant to be.”

Today, she brings not just medical knowledge, but compassion and empathy to every Veteran she sees. “When my patients talk about their pain and frustration, I can say, ‘I get it. I’ve felt that too,’” she said. “It’s an instant connection that helps them feel seen and understood.”

A Legacy of Resilience

TaTonja is proud of the path she carved, especially as a woman in the military. “Traditionally, the military was seen as all male. But now, women are everywhere in every role, every branch. We’re shaping the future,” she said. “We belong at the table, and we’re helping to make decisions that matter.”

To her fellow women Veterans, TaTonja’s message is clear: “We’re already resilient. That’s part of who we are. Just keep being you and bring that strength wherever you go.”

On this Women Veterans Appreciation Day, we celebrate not just TaTonja’s achievements but the heart she brings to her work and the compassion she shows every Veteran she meets. Her story is a reminder that every challenge, every lesson, and every act of service matters. Today and every day, we honor the women Veterans whose stories light the way forward.