Spotlighting the Career of CDR Laurel Christians

Biography Contributed by: CDR Nichole Vetter and CDR Laurel Christians

This Nursing Spotlight is brought to you by CAPT Amy Valderrama, CDR Nichole Vetter, LCDR Allison Gallen, and LT Alyssa Givens

CDR Laurel Christians began her career in the United States Public Health Service (USPHS) a little later in life. She obtained both her Bachelor of Science in Nursing in 1993 and Master’s of Science in Nursing as a Family Nurse Practitioner in 2004 from the University of Alaska Anchorage. She was practicing as a Family Nurse Practitioner and began to feel a bit burnt out. It was during this time that she came in contact with USPHS officers and knew this was the change she needed; she joined USPHS and was commissioned in the USPHS in 2007. CDR Christians’ served her first 10 years as a USPHS officer in Anchorage, Alaska for the tribal organization Southcentral Foundation. It was during this time that she had some of the most rewarding experiences of her career. She was able to participate in several deployments, stating that "Deploying is both exhausting and exciting; it opened up the world of true ‘Public Health."

Some of CDR Christians’ more unique deployment experiences were during the summers of 2008 and 2010 when she deployed with the USNS Mercy. The USNS Mercy is the lead ship of its class among hospital ships in non-commissioned service with the United States Navy. The mission, Pacific Partnership, involved the four branches of the US military, international militaries, and non-governmental agencies. CDR Christians’ role was to visit villages and partner with local health agencies to screen and identify those who could benefit from the services available on the ship and provide healthcare and screenings to people needing care. By traveling on the Mercy, CDR Christians was able to visit many different countries, including Guam, the Philippines, Vietnam, Cambodia, Singapore, East Timor, and Australia. "Deploying on the Mercy was quite an experience; I integrated with the other US military branches, Non-governmental Organ-izations (NGO), as well as other military branches from around the world. I was very naïve as an officer and being around different military branches was intimidating." These missions were not easy and required effort and flexibility. The need of the people that she served was high, time allotted with patients was minimal, there were language barriers, and directing patients back into their own health care system was difficult. CDR Christians recalls: "Going to the villages was surreal. I kept saying to myself that those pictures in the movies of undeveloped countries were real! There were tin huts, no electricity, crowded streets, no cars, and temperatures were up to 110 degrees F with humidity making work conditions very uncomfortable."

CDR Christians also served eight years on Rapid Deployment Force-3 (RDF-3). She was first introduced to the RDF while deployed in 2008 for hurricane relief in Jackson, Mississippi. The team cared for nursing home residents displaced by the hurricane. "This was a very unique deployment and again, I knew it was something I wanted to continue to be involved with. Shortly after this deployment I joined RDF-3." During CDR Christian’s service with RDF-3 she held several positions, including Assistant Deputy and Director of the Medical Services Branch. "I found my experiences deploying and being part of an RDF as some of the most eye opening experiences of my career and highly encourage officers to deploy when the USPHS is activated." Being on an RDF team allowed CDR Christians to network with other officers and hear about where they worked and in what capacity. She encourages new officers to get involved. "There are so many opportunities, but you need to put yourself out there to find them."

CDR Christians always intended to move to Montana once her children were grown and her husband retired. She is currently stationed in Montana on the Fort Peck Reservation, working under the IHS. CDR Christians provides primary care to the Assiniboine and Sioux American Indians at the Chief Redstone Health Center in Wolf Point, MT which is an isolated hardship area. "Working at Wolf Point challenges me to do more with fewer resources; to get an x-ray, people have to travel 20 miles away and referral sources are also a 5-hour drive to Billings--not something I am accustomed to." CDR Christians plans on spending the rest of her career serving at Wolf Point. She feels that continuity of care is something that she can provide and is needed. She hopes that over time she can build relationships, strengthen trust with tribal partners, and improve health outcomes. " After 11 years with the USPHS, I still have the enthusiasm for the mission, the challenges, and the privilege of serving these underserved communities."

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