Page 36 - Healthcare News 2023 Healthcare Heroes

HEALTHCARE HEROES OF WESTERN MASSACHUSETTS
Healthcare Provider
Julie Lefer Quick
Nurse Manager, VA Central Western Massachusetts Healthcare System
Her Work Caring
wonderful to be a part of that, serving such a deserving population.” She started at the VA in July 2018 as a primary-care nurse. Before
that, she worked for a pediatrician in solo practice, including as practice manager, for two and a half years, followed by more than 11 years in the Springfield Public Schools.
“When my son went off to college, I thought, ‘now is a great time to try something new, get back into primary care.’ So that’s when I got the job at the VA.”
When they hear mention of the VA Central Western Massachusetts Healthcare System, most people think of the hospital in Leeds, which houses services ranging from inpatient psychiatric mental-health and substance-misuse treatment to primary care; from rehabilitation to specialties like orthopedics, radiology, cardiology, and many others.
“And we also have five community-based outpatient clinics, where we primarily do primary care and then, depending on the clinic, some specialties to support the veterans,” she explained, noting
that these are located in Springfield, Fitchburg, Greenfield, Pittsfield, and Worcester. “In Springfield, we have a very large mental-health department, and we also have a small lab, physical therapy, a registered dietitian, a clinical pharmacy, and what’s called home- based primary care.”
As it happens, Lefer Quick loves primary care, and missed that during her years working in the schools. “I had missed the ongoing, deep relationships with patients and their families.”
So, with her son graduating from the school system, she craved
a return to care in a medical-office setting, and happened to meet some VA nurses at a Learn to Row event through the Pioneer Valley Riverfront Club in Springfield, where her husband, Ben Quick, is executive director.
“They were like, ‘oh you should come work at the VA,’” she recalled. So she did — and, not surprisingly, she loved the work.
“
to be a part of that, serving such a deserving” population.
for Veterans Is
Every one of
the nurses who works with
the VA goes above and beyond every single day. And it’s really wonderful
Grounded in a
Sense of Mission By Joseph Bednar
Abednar@businesswest.com
fter a decade and a half in the nursing profession, Julie Lefer Quick was looking for a change, and found one at the Veterans Administration’s (VA) outpatient clinic in Springfield.
She also found a level of passion and mission-driven commitment she hadn’t experienced before.
“I can honestly say that I’ve never seen nurses more dedicated
to their population; I feel the dedication,” she said. And so do
the patients. “Last week, a nurse forwarded me an email that she received from one of her veterans’ caregivers about what great care she took of that veteran, just going above and beyond. And she said, ‘I love my job.’
“Every one of the nurses who works with the VA goes above and beyond every single day,” Lefer Quick added. “And it’s really
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