At Acuity International, our team members are the backbone of our success, and nowhere is this more evident than in the United States Army Reserve Command (USARC) project. Two standout professionals, Brittney and Athena, have been instrumental in ensuring military personnel receive the highest standard of occupational health services. Their dedication and resilience have shaped the success of this project from the ground up.
A Day in the Life: Managing Health Readiness at USARC
Brittney, the Registered Nurse Manager, and Athena, the Administrative Registered Nurse, play crucial roles in maintaining the operational flow of this initiative. Unlike many of their peers, they are not based in Florida but work directly from Fort Bragg. Brittney spends two to three days a week in the office, addressing urgent matters and ensuring smooth operations.
Athena, known for her meticulous approach, ensures no detail is overlooked. From ordering exams and maintaining employee health records to handling missing paperwork and ensuring quality control, she touches every aspect of the process. Both professionals work closely with government counterparts, using secure laptops to communicate and share critical information.
Once medical evaluations are completed, their team reviews results and determines next steps – whether clearing personnel for duty, requesting additional immunizations, or referring cases for further medical review. Their work directly impacts military readiness, ensuring soldiers are medically fit to serve.
Why They Chose This Path
For Athena, the opportunity came through a recruiter on Indeed. As a former travel nurse and new mother, she sought a role that would allow her to continue her nursing career while balancing family life.
Brittney, previously a contractor, saw this as a chance to transition to a more stable work environment while still making a difference in people’s lives.
Overcoming Challenges & Pioneering Success
When Brittney and Athena started, they encountered challenges in processes and execution, as the framework and team were still in development. Rather than waiting for direction, they took the initiative -asking questions, doing the groundwork, and building a process from scratch.
Their persistence and hard work laid the foundation for a fully functional and efficient system that serves the USARC community today.
Making a Real-World Impact
Beyond processing exams and medical clearances, their work has had life-changing effects. Athena recalls a case where a routine chest X-ray uncovered a severe lung issue in a service member. Thanks to their diligence, he was able to receive life-saving surgery and return to duty healthier than ever. Similarly, Brittney met an employee at a safety conference who credited her with saving his life by prompting him to seek medical attention for high blood pressure. These moments underscore the importance of occupational health in military readiness.
Today, Brittney works diligently with the current USARC Program Manager to implement a successful Occupational Health Program, serving the population while always looking for opportunities to provide education, support, and outreach to leadership inside and outside the Army Reserve. This partnership highlights the ongoing collaboration between USARC and Acuity in ensuring the health and readiness of military and civilian personnel.
A New Perspective on Occupational Health
This experience has broadened their understanding of occupational health and its critical role in workforce well-being. Brittney now looks at different industries and wonders why routine health screenings aren’t more common across all sectors. Both she and Athena recognize how much goes unnoticed and unaddressed in workplaces without proactive medical oversight.
Brittney and Athena’s work on the USARC project exemplifies Acuity’s commitment to excellence in occupational health and medical readiness. Their dedication, problem-solving abilities, and genuine care for the well-being of those they serve make them invaluable members of our team. Their story is a testament to the power of initiative, resilience, and compassion in transforming workplace health standards.