INDIANAPOLIS — For seven years, Greg Hein served his country in the United States Army.
He says the experience of being an infantry soldier shaped who he was. His last mission was in the Gulf War for Desert Storm.
"As people come and thank me for my service, to me it's a dichotomy. Part of me wants to accept it ... deep down that was such an honor and a privilege. It's I who want to thank this country for giving me that opportunity and to be this person that I am today," Hein told WRTV.
When he got out, he wasn't entirely sure what he wanted to do next but eventually signed up for paramedic training.
"I met an old buddy of mine I hadn't seen in years ... and he said 'I'm a respiratory therapist." I said 'oh, what's that?'" Hein said. "Long story short, I really felt like that was going to be not just interesting, but a good thing to do and serve in life."
For the last ten years, Hein has worked at Riley Hospital for Children as a respiratory therapy supervisor. He says his military career taught him how to serve and be part of something bigger than himself.
Hein says there are similarities between serving in the military and serving in healthcare.
"There's a parallel to being humble and serving — that nature of serving, of being a part of something for the greater good, even when it's not easy," Hein said. "As you can imagine, through COVID times, there was nothing easy about it for any of us."
Like Army soldiers work together in combat, the team at Riley also works to help patients.
"I still remember my soldier's creed for the Army ... was to say 'I am an American soldier.' Now, I feel that in this life as a respiratory therapist ... I think it's a shared team here at [Riley], [we] have that same mentality ... that pride to say 'I worked at Riley.' That's what's a big part of this for me too."
-
Martindale-Brightwood residents continue to fight against proposed data center
Metrobloks, a California-based tech company plans to build a $500 million data center off Sherman Drive, an area that is currently vacant.
Carmel to close Christkindlmarkt early Dec. 13-14 due to impending weather
Organizers of the Carmel Christkindlmarkt announced plans to close the market early December 13-14 due to weather. The announcement was made on social media on Thursday.
Indy DPW drivers prepping for the 'snow fight' with 12-hour shifts
Indianapolis Department of Public Works is currently running twelve-hour rotating shifts. This is to keep up with multiple rounds of ice, snow, and cold temperatures.
Aging buildings force Martinsville School District to close four schools
In a statement, the school district said it is closing the schools because all four were built before the 1960s and are showing their age in both function and maintenance.
