Business Details
9 Years
experience
Veteran Healthcare Career Transition Program
Heroes for Healthcare is a Milwaukee-based nonprofit dedicated to empowering military veterans and spouses to transition into healthcare careers. Founded in 2017, we bridge the gap between military service and civilian healthcare through strategic partnerships with hospitals, educational institutions, and government programs. Our Wis-MAC initiative accelerates licensure for medically trained veterans, allowing them to work within their scope of practice while completing certifications. We provide financial aid for education expenses not covered by the GI Bill, including books, scrubs, and licensing fees.With over 50 hospital partners in Wisconsin and nationwide educational alliances, we offer job placement assistance, career counseling, and monthly job fairs in Chicago. Our team of veterans and industry experts delivers personalized transition roadmaps, leveraging decades of combined experience in healthcare staffing and veteran advocacy. We maintain strict compliance with ethical standards, ensuring transparent communication and measurable outcomes for every veteran we serve.
Services
Job Placement
Education Partnerships
Financial Aid
Wis-MAC Program
Career Counseling
Details
- Year established: 2017
Highlights and features
- We offer 100+ job placements in Wisconsin healthcare institutions
- Our Wis-MAC program accelerates licensure for medically trained veterans
- We provide financial aid for education expenses not covered by the GI Bill
- We partner with 50+ educational institutions across Wisconsin
- We host monthly job fairs in Chicago for veteran hiring
What people say
Seamless transition support
Financial aid crucial
Accelerated licensure program
Monthly job fairs helpful
Dedicated staff support
Services
Job Placement
Heroes for Healthcare facilitates direct job placements in healthcare institutions across Wisconsin. Our program connects veterans with hospital partners like UW Health and Advocate Aurora Medical Group, allowing immediate employment within their military-trained scope of practice while pursuing civilian licensure. We maintain 100+ active positions for roles ranging from medical assistants to specialized technicians.
Education Partnerships
We collaborate with 45+ Wisconsin educational institutions including Concordia University and Milwaukee Area Technical College. These partnerships enable veterans to access accelerated nursing programs, discounted tuition rates, and credit for military medical training. Our team coordinates clinical placements and academic scheduling to minimize education timelines.
Financial Aid
Our financial assistance covers education expenses not included in the GI Bill, such as textbooks, scrubs, licensing exams, and medical equipment. Since 2024, we've distributed $20,810 in direct aid to student veterans, with funding prioritized for Wis-MAC program participants and nursing degree candidates.
Wis-MAC Program
The Wisconsin Military Medics and Corpsmen (Wis-MAC) program fast-tracks civilian licensure for medically trained veterans. Participants receive career roadmaps, transcript evaluations, and guaranteed clinical placements. This state-certified pathway reduces typical 2-year licensing processes to 15 months through structured partnerships with healthcare employers and regulatory boards.
Career Counseling
Personalized transition planning includes JST transcript analysis, career roadmap development, and GI Bill utilization strategies. Our veteran-specific counselors assist with resume translation, civilian credentialing applications, and long-term career trajectory planning for sustainable healthcare employment.
People
Laura Hanoski
Founder and President
Laura Hanoski founded Heroes for Healthcare after recognizing systemic barriers preventing veterans from utilizing medical training in civilian careers. As owner of Premier Medical Staffing Services, she leverages 20+ years healthcare industry experience to develop strategic partnerships with hospitals and educational institutions nationwide.
Brett Peterson
Talent Acquisition Manager
A 9-year Marine Corps veteran with behavioral health recruitment expertise, Brett Peterson connects transitioning service members with healthcare employers. He organizes monthly Chicago job fairs and provides resume translation services, drawing from personal experience navigating military-to-civilian career transitions.
Dr. Joan Whitman
Grant Writer and Content Manager
Dr. Joan Whitman secures funding to support veteran education initiatives. With a doctorate in Leadership and 15 years nonprofit development experience, she manages grant applications and content strategy while coordinating the 'Nominate a Veteran Student' financial aid program.
Joyce Mallory
Community Engagement Manager
Joyce Mallory builds partnerships with Wisconsin educational institutions and veteran organizations. Her 25-year nonprofit leadership experience includes board roles at United Way and MetaStar Incorporated, focusing on organizational capacity building and governance training.
Melanie Bergemann
Marketing and Administrative Coordinator
Melanie Bergemann manages marketing campaigns and fundraising events after transitioning from U.S. Army animal care service. She coordinates social media outreach, donor communications, and community events like the annual 'Honoring Our Heroes' brewery fundraiser.
Questions
What services do you offer veterans?
We provide job placement, education partnerships, financial aid, and career counseling for veterans transitioning to healthcare careers.
How do I apply for financial aid?
Apply through our website with documentation of veteran status and education expenses not covered by the GI Bill.
What is the Wis-MAC program?
Wis-MAC helps medically trained veterans leverage military experience for accelerated healthcare licensure in Wisconsin.
Do you offer job placement nationwide?
We have Wisconsin hospital partnerships and assist veterans nationwide through educational institution alliances.
Are there events for veteran networking?
We host monthly Chicago job fairs and annual fundraising galas connecting veterans with healthcare employers.
