American Heroes Need Your Help!

Do Your Part to Give Disabled Afghan, Iraq War Veterans a Chance at a New Career! Thanks largely to medical advances, thousands of men and women who have served our country in the Middle East are surviving serious injuries but are returning home with permanent disabilities. They need our help to continue to live productive lives and take care of their families. Hire Heroes USA is a non-profit program designed to help these veterans with disabilities find careers in all industries with an emphasis in healthcare. No matter what their level of disability, Hire Heroes USA will place veterans in positions that fit their job skills and career interests. Hire Heroes USA was inspired by the experiences of Sgt. Justin Callahan, who served in the U.S. Army during Operation Enduring Freedom. Justin is now working with Hire Heroes USA to help his fellow wounded veterans. Callahan says, “It is more than helping them out with a job. It’s about helping them grow stronger mentally and emotionally to have a more normal life.” Talk with Justin and Dr. Jeff Poffenbarger, an Army neurosurgeon who treated wounded soldiers, helping hundreds of them survive traumatic brain injuries. More about Dr. Poffenbarger: As an Army neurosurgeon, Dr. Jeff Poffenbarger treated wounded soldiers from the current conflict in the Middle East. Dr. Poffenbarger, who is retired from the service, currently works at Mary Washington Hospital as a neurosurgeon. He was deployed to Iraq in January 2004. During his 14-month tour, he treated many soldiers with Traumatic Brain Injuries, performing more than 300 craniotomies, which involve removing a portion of the skull until the swelling in the brain has subsided then reattaching that portion of the skull. With medical advances such as the craniotomy, today’s soldiers are surviving serious injuries that would have been fatal to soldiers of previous wars. However, many have long-term disabilities associated with their injuries including the loss of limbs. Dr. Poffenbarger explains how our soldiers are now more susceptible to limb and head injuries thanks to the enemys use of Improvised Explosive Devices. He can also discuss the unique physical, social and psychological challenges these young men and women may face as they seek to pursue life back home and how programs like Hire Heroes are essential to helping our disabled veterans transition and become productive citizens. “Hire Heroes gives wounded vets an every day pat on the back. It will help ease the transition into a new career, giving them the confidence they need to succeed.” Poffenbarger said. More about Justin Callahan: Justin Callahan, a corporate event planner for MedAssets, is a veteran of Operation Enduring Freedom and the inspiration behind the new Hire Heroes USA program. A Sergeant in the U.S. Army, Callahan was wounded in a land mine explosion while serving in Afghanistan. He underwent seven surgeries and extensive physical therapy after the amputation of his ankle and foot. While undergoing treatment at Walter Reed Army Medical Center, Callahan and John Bardis, MedAssets chairman, president and CEO, met by chance in a hotel lobby. The two discussed Callahan’s experience and Bardis extended a job offer. Callahan accepted Bardis’ offer and has been a MedAssets employee since he officially retired from the Army two years ago. While Callahan was fortunate to have a job before leaving the military, he admits the transition to civilian work was challenging. Working at a desk behind a computer all day was not his day-to-day routine in the military. Having to completely change career paths and sometimes accept limitations are enormous hurdles for veterans with disabilities. Callahans experience created awareness and understanding of such challenges and inspired the creation of Hire Heroes USA. Callahan serves as a liaison for the Hire Heroes USA program to make career placement easier for his fellow veterans with disabilities. More about John Bardis: John A. Bardis has been Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of MedAssets since its founding in June, 1999. Mr. Bardis has over 20 years experience in the healthcare industry. Beginning with American Hospital Supply and Baxter International, he held various senior management positions, including Vice President of the Baxter Operating Room Division and General Manager of the Eastern Zone. Mr. Bardis left Baxter in 1987 to join Kinetic Concepts. Kinetic Concepts, a NASDAQ traded company (KNCI) was the nation’s largest specialty bed and medical equipment rental company at the time of his departure as President in 1992. From 1992 to 1997, Mr. Bardis was President and CEO of TheraTx, Inc. TheraTx, another NASDAQ traded company (THTX) was a leading provider of rehabilitation services and operator of skilled nursing facilities. In 1995, TheraTx was named the second fastest growing public company in America by INC. Magazine, growing from $15mm to over $500mm in 5 years. Mr. Bardis was named Entrepreneur of the year by INC Magazine in 1995. Mr. Bardis graduated with a B.S. in Business from the University of Arizona. He serves on the board of USA wrestling, the National governing body for amateur wrestling, The Health Careers Foundation, and is Chairman of the Atlanta Fire Youth Hockey Club. Mr. Bardis was also named Team Leader of the U.S. Greco-Roman Wrestling Team for the 2008 Beijing Olympics. More about Hire Heroes USA: The Hire Heroes USA program was organized to provide career placement assistance for veterans with disabilities our nation’s heroes. We place wounded veterans from all branches of the military with employers nationwide. Hire Heroes USA is a national 501(c)(3) non-profit program, which focuses on connecting disabled veterans from Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom with career opportunities. We match the career interests and skills of our nation’s heroes to the needs of companies who are partnering with us to fill job openings across the country. The Hire Heroes USA program is supported through private and corporate donations. Our career placement services are provided at no extra charge to veterans or participating companies. Hire Heroes USA was inspired by the experiences of Justin Callahan, who served as a Sergeant in the U.S. Army during Operation Enduring Freedom. Justin was wounded in a land mine explosion while serving in Afghanistan and underwent seven surgeries and extensive physical therapy after the amputation of his ankle and foot. While undergoing treatment at Walter Reed Army Medical Center, Callahan met John Bardis, Chairman, President, and CEO of MedAssets, Inc., by chance in a hotel lobby. Bardis extended a job offer to Callahan that day, and Justin became a MedAssets employee when he officially retired from the military. Justin now serves as an account manager for the Hire Heroes USA program. His experiences helped raised awareness of the challenges disabled veterans may face when re-entering and adjusting to the workplace. With thousands of disabled veterans like Justin returning from the Middle East, Bardis recognized the need for a program such as Hire Heroes USA and approached the Health Careers Foundation, a non-profit healthcare education foundation. On June 1, 2007 Hire Heroes USA began operation as a program of the Health Careers Foundation.