'This is where I'm supposed to be': Four family members embrace their work at the Milwaukee VA

His two sons, Karl and Mark, now also work at the Milwaukee VA, as does Mark’s wife, Alana. The Milwaukee VA is inextricably woven into their lives, and they wouldn’t want it any other way.

“We all just really love this place,” Mark said. “Our entire lives have been shaped by the VA. I love coming here every day.”

5000 West, a monthly magazine formerly produced by the Milwaukee VA, profiled this “family affair” in its September 2010 issue. In 16 years, little has changed for the family.

• Carl, 72, the patriarch, has been a physical therapy assistant since coming to the Milwaukee VA in 2006. Physical therapy was a second career for him, having retired from A.O. Smith at the age of 48, then going back to school for his medical training.
• Carl’s son Karl, 49, is a registered nurse. He started at the Milwaukee VA the same year as his father. He left in 2012 for a stint at Froedtert Hospital, returning to the VA in 2025.
• Mark, 38, is also a registered nurse, starting at the Milwaukee VA in 2007. He now works in CLIMET/Informatics.
• Alana, 41, began working at the Milwaukee VA in 2008 as a nursing assistant. She moved to Human Resources in 2013. She and Mark married in 2017.

Moved by grandfather's care

Ironically, none of the Muellers are Veterans. Carl’s father Jean was a World War II Veteran, and when he began receiving care at the Milwaukee VA, his family was impressed by the successful medical outcomes Jean experienced, as well as the compassion and professionalism of the staff.

“The first time I came here was to visit my grandfather,” Mark said. “The VA was able to rehab him so that he was able to decrease his service connection.”

“He was astounded by the benefits,” Carl said of his father. “He got all kinds of nice, wonderful things from the VA. And he was always happy to have some comrades to talk with about his experiences.”

Mark said his grandfather rarely talked about his service when he was younger, but opened up after coming to the Milwaukee VA, where he could interact with fellow Veterans, especially while on the ninth floor.

“I had never really seen him as calm and happy as when he was up on (the ninth floor), where he could spend long periods of time with fellow Veterans,” Mark said. “That’s part of the reason I love being here: To make sure people like him continue to get great care.”

Supportive family

The Muellers don’t often cross paths during their day-to-day routines, but they take comfort in knowing they’re only a few floors or buildings away from one another.

“That’s one of the best things, knowing that my family is here — knowing that at any given moment you can reach out and talk to a family member,” Karl said.

And it’s not unusual for the same patient to be treated by multiple Muellers.

In fact, when Karl worked in the Spinal Cord Injury/Disorder Center and Mark worked on the ninth floor, it was possible for a patient to work with all three Muellers in the course of a few days.

“So at any given time, we would talk to the same patient about the three of us,” Mark said.

Marrying into the family

When Alana met Mark, she didn’t know his father and brother were also at the hospital. But like the Muellers, she had family members — her father and uncle — who received care from the Milwaukee VA.

“The VA was always a huge comfort for me,” she said, saying that it felt natural to marry into a family with similar sentiments.

“They treat me like I’ve been with Mark for 20 years,” she said. “I’ve never had any doubts. This is where I’m supposed to be. This is what we were all meant to be doing.”

No plans on leaving

It’s doubtful the Muellers will be departing the Milwaukee VA anytime soon. Though Carl is now mulling his second retirement, his sons are committed to staying on as long as possible.

“I love what we do for the Vets,” Karl said, emphasizing the personal touch provided at the VA. “I never should have left (the Milwaukee VA). I’m glad I’m back now, and I’m not going anywhere.”

“I love walking down the halls, and everybody waves and says, ‘Hi,’” Mark said. “It’s a fantastic feeling. … You can feel the shared camaraderie and mission. There’s no place like this.

“And listening to the Veterans and their stories have been some of the best experiences of my life. I never served in the military, but hearing their stories has changed me profoundly as a person.”

His father agreed.

“It’s not the same as being in service to your country, but it’s as close as you can get,” Carl said.