I’m a proud veteran of the U.S. Air Force. Working in partnership was necessary. During my tenure, our motto was “Work smarter, not harder.”  Veterans bring a level of engagement and a diversity of training that most civilians don’t have.  I’ve brought that experience to all my roles at Kaiser Permanente, where I advocate for patient care, first as a respiratory care practitioner and SEIU-UHW union steward and, most recently, as a union partnership representative, which I adore.  I enjoy the team development part of being a UPR. I train, encourage, and assist teams in developing relationships and improving patient outcomes, which is why we work in health care.  The strength of the Labor Management Partnership is the ability to change and develop to fit real-world needs. In partnership, we need to relearn and re-engage with the basics of unit-based team principles. We must look to incorporate technology while maintaining the human touch and compassion.  From the Air Force to KP, a high-functioning partnership increases morale, improves attendance and empowers all UBT members. As a 16-year employee of KP, I know that a strong partnership sets us apart from other medical centers and positions us as a national health care leader.