Press Release  Governor Healey Announces New Program for Military Medics to Transition to Civilian Health Care Careers

BOSTON — The Healey-Driscoll Administration today announced plans to advance new regulations that would create a pathway for military medics to use their training and experience in civilian health care settings in Massachusetts. The Military to Medicine pilot would help veterans transition into health care careers while supporting hospitals facing workforce shortages.

At the November 10 Public Health Council meeting, the Department of Public Health (DPH) and Executive Office of Veterans Services (EOVS) announced the new initiative, which would allow a limited number of eligible veterans who previously served as military medics to perform certain medication administration activities at approved Massachusetts hospitals. The regulations will be put forward for public comment as part of the state's review process.

“Military medics have some of the most extensive training and experience in health care, often serving under incredibly challenging circumstances. But when they return home, too many face barriers to putting those skills to work,” said Governor Maura Healey. “We need to change that. This program will create new career opportunities for veterans while supporting the hospitals and patients who can benefit from their skills and expertise. Our veterans have so much to offer, and Massachusetts should be a place where they can continue to serve and succeed.” 

“Our veterans bring valuable skills, leadership and experience to the workforce, and we want to make sure those skills are recognized when they return to civilian life,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “This proposal is an important step toward helping military medics build careers in health care while addressing workforce needs across Massachusetts. It's a great example of how we can better connect veterans with employers and create more opportunities for those who have served.”

"Military medics have proven they can deliver high-quality care under pressure," said Veterans Services Secretary Eric Goralnick. "Military to Medicine is a novel program that builds on a proven Veterans Health Administration model to turn that experience into civilian health care careers. Our veterans' clinical training, teamwork, and commitment to service can help address our health care workforce shortage and keep Massachusetts hospitals leading on the global stage."

“Those who have served in the military have incredible skill and experience that would benefit healthcare and public health. This initiative recognizes the valuable training and experience military medics bring while creating meaningful opportunities for veterans to continue serving their communities,” said Public Health Commissioner Robbie Goldstein, MD, PhD. “By establishing a pathway for veterans to apply their skills in civilian healthcare settings, this program has the potential to strengthen the state’s healthcare workforce and support continued access to safe, high-quality patient care.”

“Military medics bring tremendous expertise with specialized training and critical skills needed in our health care industry,” said Secretary of Labor and Workforce Development Lauren Jones. “Yet, far too often, untapped veterans are unable to put these skills to work for roles we need filled in Massachusetts. Through the Military to Medicine pilot, the Healey-Driscoll Administration takes a skills-first approach to bridge this gap by creating a new pathway that will help translate valuable military skills, knowledge, and experience for in-demand, civilian careers with Massachusetts health care employers.”

Each year, thousands of military service members transition to civilian life, including medics and hospital corpsmen with extensive training and hands-on medical experience. However, that experience does not automatically qualify them for comparable civilian health care roles, often requiring veterans to pursue additional credentials or seek work outside the medical field.

The proposed regulations would create a pilot program for 10 eligible veterans at participating DPH-licensed hospitals, subject to DPH approval. The pilot would explore opportunities for these veterans to apply their training to certain medication administration activities without making broader changes to professional licensing or scope-of-practice requirements. 

If approved and implemented, the program would be evaluated by EOVS to assess how military medical experience can translate into civilian health care opportunities and help hospitals recruit and retain skilled workers.

The proposal builds on Governor Healey’s ongoing work to support veterans as they transition into civilian careers. In October, Lieutenant Governor Driscoll swore in new members of the Veterans Employment Opportunities Commission, which is working to identify barriers to employment and strengthen career opportunities for veterans. The administration has also supported 32 businesses that have become certified or pledged to become certified as Veteran Ready Businesses, helping employers better recognize and recruit veteran talent.

The administration has taken additional steps to expand employment opportunities for veterans, including provisions in the historic HERO Act to strengthen the Vet-Hire Tax Credit, eliminating apprenticeship registration renewal fees for veterans, and expanding access to career counseling, job training and employment resources through MassHire.

In 2024, Governor Healey signed the historic HERO Act, the most comprehensive expansion of veterans benefits in Massachusetts history, with more than 30 provisions to modernize services and improve support for veterans and families. The law expanded the Vet-Hire Tax Credit for small businesses that hire veterans. The administration also established a tax credit for Massachusetts businesses that hire active members of the National Guard.

To expand other workforce opportunities for veterans and military families, the administration has awarded more than $15 million to expand registered apprenticeships across Massachusetts and secured an additional $1.5 million in federal funding to support training in emerging industries. In July, the administration made apprenticeship more affordable for veterans by eliminating all renewal registration fees. 

Through MassHire, veterans receive priority access to employment and training services, including career counseling, job placement assistance and connections with employers, as well as support accessing GI Bill benefits for qualifying apprenticeships. The administration has also launched the Veterans Equity Dashboard to identify barriers to employment and implemented skills-based hiring practices across state government to better recognize military experience and qualifications. 

Statements of Support

State Senator John Velis, Senate Chairman of the Joint Committee on Veterans and Federal Affairs:

"Military medics and medical service veterans have already demonstrated their skill, professionalism, and ability to deliver care in some of the most demanding environments imaginable. Their training and real-world experience make them exceptionally well qualified to take on responsibilities like those envisioned in this pilot program. This initiative recognizes the value of their service, creates meaningful pathways to continue serving their communities, and helps strengthen our health care workforce while maintaining appropriate safeguards for patient safety. I support this effort and look forward to seeing the impact it can have for both veterans and patients across Massachusetts."

State Representative Joseph McGonagle, House Chairman of the Joint Committee on Veterans and Federal Affairs:

“This pilot program will be an important step toward recognizing the valuable skills and experience our veterans bring to the civilian workforce. By creating new opportunities for military-trained medics to apply their expertise in health care settings, we can expand employment opportunities for veterans while helping address workforce needs across the Commonwealth. I commend EOVS and DPH for advancing this initiative and their continued commitment to supporting Massachusetts veterans.”

Retired Brigadier General Jack Hammond, Executive Director, Home Base:

“Combat medics and Corpsman bring skill, judgment and leadership honed in the most demanding environments imaginable and Massachusetts needs more skilled health care providers in every setting. By creating a clear pathway from military to civilian medicine, this pilot addresses one of the biggest barriers Veterans face when coming home: finding meaningful work that honors their experience. Home Base is proud to support initiatives like this one, led by the Massachusetts Executive Office of Veterans Services and the Department of Public Health, that help ensure Veterans have access to employment opportunities that leverage the skills developed through military service and a successful transition to civilian life after their service.”

Lisa A. McPhee, Department Adjutant, American Legion Department of Massachusetts:

“Veteran medics cared for their fellow service members and responded to emergencies on the ground, so they shouldn't have to restart their medical careers when they get home. The American Legion Department of Massachusetts supports this program because it turns military training into civilian careers, and it honors that service in a meaningful way."

Bruce Buckley, Chief Executive Officer and President, Soldier On:

“Soldier On has been working to end veteran homelessness in Massachusetts and beyond for over 30 years. The transition from military service to civilian life is often difficult in many respects, employment, and self esteem being two of the more prevalent struggles in this transition. EOVS Secretary Goralnick’s limited pilot program to allow the practical and highly skilled practices of medics in the military to be credited to the private medical practices in our healthcare systems is a much-needed program that addresses these struggles head on. Recognizing the talents and education learned in the military setting is critical as a practical solution to the complex issues challenging both our military and veteran community as well as the shortages that exist in our health care delivery system. Soldier On strongly endorses this program as innovative and much overdue.”

Maximus De Medici, a U.S. Navy Hospital Corpsman (FMF) and Iraq War veteran:

"As a Navy corpsman, I deployed to Iraq with the Marines and later provided humanitarian care in Haiti, treating patients in harsh conditions where there was often no one else to turn to. Yet when corpsmen and medics come home, much of that hands-on experience doesn't translate into a recognized civilian credential, and too many of us end up starting over or leaving medicine altogether. The Military to Medicine pilot recognizes what we already know how to do and gives Massachusetts a way to keep that talent caring for patients here at home."

Heather Meehan, a former U.S. Navy Hospital Corpsman:

“As a veteran, I have experienced firsthand the barriers military-trained medical professionals face when transitioning to civilian healthcare, having provided care in cardiac intensive care, intensive care, and medical-surgical settings only to be told I qualified solely as a Certified Nursing Assistant—and then that I was overqualified for that role. At a time when Massachusetts faces significant healthcare workforce shortages, we cannot afford to overlook veterans with extensive medical training, clinical experience, and proven patient care skills. Massachusetts has an opportunity to lead by establishing a fair, standardized pathway that recognizes military medical training, addresses any gaps in civilian credentialing requirements, and allows veterans to continue serving their communities without having to start their careers over.”

Pete Smith, Sergeant Major (Ret.), U.S. Army:

“After serving more than 26 years in the Army including as a medic in Special Operations, I received some of the most demanding medical training and real-world experience available and wanted to stay in medicine after I retired, but had no connections or roadmap. Too many veteran medics face that same wall, and their skills go unused. Military to Medicine will help bridge that gap by connecting veterans with medical professionals and allowing them to apply their military experience to civilian careers. I’m proud to support it.”

###