ORANGE PARK – U.S. Army Veteran and Physician Dr. Betsy Wonpat has been on the frontlines of the COVID-19 pandemic at Orange Park Medical Center for the past seven months.

However, her frontline work did not begin in the halls of OPMC.

Dr. Wonpat began her military career out of Fort Bragg in North Carolina with the 18th Airborne Corp and 35th Signal Brigade and served as a Paratrooper in Desert Storm.

After the death of a good friend at the age of just 16, Dr. Wonpat made the decision to get into medicine so that she could make a difference for others. She has experienced all aspects of health care from fire and rescue, housekeeping, secretary work, transport, a nurse in the emergency room, and now a physician at Orange Park Medical Center.

In addition to her work at the hospital, she helps local veterans in her spare time by raising awareness and money for the Veterans of Foreign Wars and Fleet Reserve. Organizations that depend on local donations to aid veterans.

In partnership with OPMC and its staff, Dr. Wonpat has led donation drives for backpacks, school supplies and funds for homeless children of veterans in Jacksonville, effecting nearly 3,000 local children. They have also donated to Operation Holiday Cheer.

Additionally, Dr. Wonpat has helped lead efforts to donate food, personal items and funds to women veterans on ships experiencing longer than expected deployment.

“After over a decade at Orange Park Medical Center, I am so thankful to the staff and the hospital for their contribution and being a part of this for so many years,” said Wonpat.

Orange Park Medical Center employs more than 120 veterans.

“It’s a privilege to work alongside our veterans, including Dr. Wonpat. Their selflessness and dedication to our nation is humbling,” said Lisa Valentine, OPMC’s Chief Executive Officer.