BayCare Health System and two of its registered nurses will be featured in an upcoming segment of “Military Makeover: Operation Career,” a nationally syndicated program on Lifetime TV that highlights organizations supporting veterans and military families.
Christina Martinez, RN, an advanced nursing professional development practitioner and U.S. Navy reservist, and David Hill, RN, nursing manager, will appear in a segment filmed at BayCare’s St. Anthony’s Hospital. The episode will focus on their professional journeys and BayCare’s efforts to create career pathways for veterans and active military personnel.
In the episode, Martinez discusses how her experience in the Navy influences her work at BayCare. Hill, who is a U.S. Navy veteran with 36 years at BayCare, talks about the organizational culture that has kept him engaged throughout his career.
“The military helped me find courage and discover who I am,” Martinez said. “I’ve been to places I never dreamt of, serving both the community and our service members. Now, as a clinical educator, I help my peers grow so they can deliver excellent care at the bedside. Ongoing education is a pillar of safety—it’s essential to the outcomes we achieve at BayCare.”
The segment is scheduled to debut October 10 on Lifetime at 7:30 a.m. ET/PT with another airing on November 20. It will also be broadcast on the American Forces Network.
BayCare is recognized as the largest academic health system in West Central Florida and provides one out of every three health care services in the region. The organization states it is guided by its mission to improve community health through high-quality care.
BayCare employs nearly 1,000 veterans and active military team members. The organization supports these employees through recognition events, awareness campaigns, community partnerships, and an annual Support Our Troops drive—a two-week collection effort to show appreciation for service members.
“I served in the United States Navy for 10 years as a hospital nurse, including during Operation Desert Storm,” Hill said. “I’ve done suturing, prescribed medication, assisted in surgeries, run my own lab tests and taken my own X-rays. That experience shaped my approach to care and leadership.”
“Veterans bring incredible strengths,” said BayCare President and CEO Stephanie Conners. “They are accountable, they are resilient, they have immense courage. And ultimately what they bring is an incredible work ethic. They bring the best of who they are, and that’s important when you’re saving lives every single day.”
“Military Makeover” is hosted by Montel Williams—a Marine Corps and U.S. Navy veteran—and recently received a CBS Family Film and TV Award in 2024. The show tells stories of service members transitioning to civilian life and highlights organizations that help veterans use their skills in new careers.
More information about careers at BayCare can be found online.
