Sentara hires first military retiree through the SkillBridge training program

After 21 years in the U.S. Army and three deployments as a combat medic, Sgt. 1st Class Lucas White was ready to retire. But what would he do for a job? How would the skills he learned in the Army translate to civilian employment? He found the answer, and Sentara Health Plans found a valued employee, through the Pentagon’s SkillBridge transition program. 

White’s last billet was as deputy director of operations at McDonald Army Health Center at Fort Eustis in Newport News, Va., where he met Dr. Jon Gray, who is currently the director of medical operations for Sentara Urgent Care. Gray helped White connect with the SkillBridge program and Jaedda Hall, senior workforce development consultant with Sentara. White’s project management experience and hard-won medical skills made him a good fit for Sentara Health Plans, which is a SkillBridge civilian partner. 

“I’ve worked in medical operations planning to ensure the Army medical system is being utilized correctly. I have my project management certification. When I learned about Sentara Health Plans through the SkillBridge program, it sounded exactly like something I wanted to do,” said White.

SkillBridge lets separating service members train with civilian industry partners during their final 180 days of service. Once they are approved for SkillBridge engagement, they can devote all their time to an internship or training program while receiving full military pay and benefits.

Lucas White with his wife, Chelsea.

“I couldn’t have done it without that,” White said. “Being able to rely on my military pay while I was developing my skills was instrumental.” 

White’s internship supervisors with Sentara Health Plans were Maria Lenis, director of Medicare quality programs, and Patti Lipes, manager of clinical vendor performance and oversight, who recognized his potential. 

“We wanted him as part of Sentara,” said Lipes. “People who serve that many years in the military tend to excel. Lucas brought so much to the table, and his project management skills were just what we needed.” 

White will use his skills to help develop and execute process improvement and vendor optimization programs. 

“Our team is tasked with measuring and improving clinical vendor performance, and with making sure we do the best possible job with the health of our Medicare, Medicaid, and commercial insurance members,” Lipes said. “Lucas is going to be my right hand in helping establish the framework we need.” 

White is grateful for a seamless transition to the civilian sector when he left the Army at the end of 2024. 

“I just want to thank the Sentara team for providing me with this opportunity,” White said. “I think Sentara is uniquely equipped to help someone exiting the military to learn and succeed.” 

White and his wife, Chelsea, and three of their four children, Ava, Campbell, and Pruitt, recently relocated to Witchita, Kan., where he will continue to work for Sentara remotely as part of the Clinical Vendor Performance and Oversight team. Their oldest child, Jolie, remains in Hampton Roads to pursue her own career in senior care.

Sentara supports veterans

Sentara Health, the parent of Sentara Health Plans, was recognized by Forbes in 2023 as one of the best employers for veterans. 

Sentara participates in multiple programs to help military members transition, including Virginia Values Veterans and Military Medics and Corpsmen through the Virginia Department of Veterans Services, and HireVetsNow through the Virginia Chamber of Commerce. 

Sentara has also been recognized by the Virginia Department of Veterans Services for hiring women veterans.