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Veterans remain on front line battling COVID-19 at Southern Hills Hospital

Posted at 9:41 PM, Nov 11, 2020
and last updated 2020-11-12 02:54:55-05

LAS VEGAS (KTNV) — Veterans Day is all about honoring our military veterans for their service and as the battle against COVID-19 rages on they are continuing to serve on a new front line.

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As a rapid response nurse at Southern Hills Hospital Shannon Bass-Croegaert is essentially a first responder if a patient’s condition gets worse inside the hospital.

“I don't do this for the money. I do it because I care about people,” Bass-Croegaert said.

She served eight years in the Navy and was in charge of caring for the reactors that powered ships and submarines.

Those skills she learned paved the way for her to go from taking care of machines to people.

“Having served before and after 9/11 with the emergency preparedness and the critical thinking that was required during that time of service has translated to how I care for patients today,” Bass-Croegaert said.

The hospital’s chief medical officer is also a veteran.

Dominic Martinello joined the Army National Guard in Massachusetts and served time as a combat medic in Nevada.

It’s a similar passion that rings true for so many of these medical professionals who have been in the midst of a global pandemic as they continue to fight.

“It's a battle, it is a war and it’s against this disease,” Martinello said.

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