Dr. Julie Fields will tell you that once a soldier, sailor, Marine, or airman—always a soldier, sailor, Marine, or airman.

“Our veterans, like the active duty sailors and Marines I served, tend to be extremely resilient and sometimes downright stubborn,” said Fields.

For 13 years, she served as a U.S. Navy physician before joining the staff at the Veterans Home of California-Yountville in 2006. She is now the Home’s Chief Physician and Surgeon, Medical Director.  

Over her three decades as a medical practitioner, she’s encountered a fighting spirit that didn’t fade after separating from the military and eventually coming to live at the Yountville home. “They refuse to give up and let go,” said Fields.

 “I saw it in the Marine recruits nearly 30 years ago when they waited for days with their abdominal pain only to end up with a ruptured appendix; or they continued marching in combat boots with a blister on their heel reluctant to show anyone for fear of being removed from their platoon, only to end up in the hospital on IV antibiotics with severe cellulitis.” Fields said.

“And I see it in our veterans at Yountville today: Veterans who refuse to accept the inevitable as a limitation and pressing on to the bitter end,” she added.

Their determination only strengthens her determination to care for them.

“This strong work ethic for Marines and the strong will to live for our veterans is a force to be reckoned with,” Fields said. “It is what challenges me every day. The challenge is to meet the veteran where he is at.”

Longevity of the Warrior Spirit

Fields understood veterans long before she became one herself. Her grandfather served in the Air Force during the Korean War, as did her father during the Vietnam War. Her own 13-year career as a Navy physician included a 45-day exercise in Egypt prior to 9/11. She returned home shortly thereafter.

“My husband at the time deployed several times while I stayed stateside with our two daughters,” Fields said. One is now on active duty in the Navy.

Her family’s history of service helped develop in Fields the empathy she brings to work each day: She is acutely aware that even the most resolute veteran can hip-check Father Time for only so long. In fact, in Fields’ experience, a feeling of invincibility can sometimes do veterans more harm than good.

“My goal has always been to support and encourage the veteran in this journey,” Fields said. “The moment the veteran understands and accepts this vulnerability is the moment we can do some valuable work. The fierce facades of independence eventually erode, and what’s left is a gentle, humble spirit in need.”

Explaining this is a big part of the care process for this veteran serving veterans.

“Helping veterans see that they can find strength and power in their brokenness and comfort in their vulnerabilities is the most rewarding aspect of my job,” Fields said. “I am convinced our veterans live longer in our community at the Veterans Home, in part because of the comprehensive care we are able to provide.”

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The Veterans Homes of California system of care offers affordable long-term care to older and disabled veterans as well as their eligible spouses and domestic partners. With eight facilities across the state, the services offered range from assisted living programs with minimal support to 24-hour skilled nursing care for veterans with significant clinical needs including memory care.

CalVet staff are uniquely capable of serving the needs of our veterans and provide an environment that honors their service to the country. The Veterans Homes are nationally recognized for the premier care and services they provide to California’s veterans. ​For more information on the Homes visit www.calvet.ca.gov/calvet-programs/veteran-homes.

Would you like the opportunity to serve veterans in your work? Join the CalVet team! We are dedicated to ensuring that veterans from every era, along with their families, receive the state and federal benefits and services they have earned and deserve due to their selfless and honorable military service. At CalVet, we prioritize serving veterans and their families with dignity, compassion, and a commitment to helping them achieve the highest quality of life. See our current career opportunities at www.calcareers.ca.gov/CalVet.