10/09/2024 | News release | Distributed by Public on 10/09/2024 21:48
Dr. David Semerad took a short break from his regular job to do a little recruiting.
Semerad (pictured above) began his VA service in 2017 at the Nebraska-Western Iowa VA in Omaha, Nebraska. Prior to that, he was an Army radiologist stationed at Joint Base Lewis-McChord.
He completed a deployment to Afghanistan in 2011.
In 2022, Semerad became the first teleradiologist in the newly-created teleradiology program at Iowa City VA. The program needed more teleradiologists and he knew just where to find them.
Drs. Matt Brice, Ross Parker and Mike Mahlon all served in the Army with Semerad. He asked them if they would like to serve together again.
But, instead of caring for soldiers, airmen and their families, they would now be caring for Veterans.
For Brice, after a few years in private practice, he missed the sense of mission and camaraderie that he experienced while on active duty.
"I was given the chance to continue that mission at VA. I have never been more fulfilled, being able to prioritize family while at the same time having the sense of pride in continuing to serve the men and women of our nation who have sacrificed so much," Brice shared.
"Our vision for the teleradiology program was ambitious from the start, to create a system where expertise and compassion meet efficiency. Thanks to pioneers like Semerad and his fellow Veteran radiologists, this vision is now a reality benefiting Veterans across Eastern Iowa, Western Illinois and beyond," said Judith Johnson-Mekota, director of Iowa City VA.