A Life of Service: One U.S. Marine Corps Sergeant’s Career Journey to Northwell Health

Anthony Quintana’s path to a career in medicine was far from conventional and marked by his service in the United States Marine Corps when he made the transition back into civilian life. Explore Anthony’s remarkable journey to healthcare, starting with his military service and commitment to supporting fellow veterans, and learn why he pivoted from an accounting career to his current role as a critical care physician assistant in the Tele-ICU at Northwell Health.

Shortly after the tragic events of September 11, 2001, Anthony made the courageous decision to enlist in the United States Marine Corps. During his service, he rose to the rank of Sergeant (E-5) in which his military experience instilled in him a strong sense of discipline, values, leadership and resilience. After completing his military service, Anthony pursued higher education, earning an associate’s degree in accounting. Just after starting his career in accounting, he soon realized accounting was not the right role for him. He felt it was so far removed from what he did in the military, and he needed to look toward a path in something else where the skills he learned in the Marine Corps were more transferrable. He began to volunteer at a nearby veteran hospital and this experience would ultimately set the stage for opening doors toward a new career path within a totally different industry.

While volunteering at a nearby veteran hospital, he crossed paths with one of his future mentors, a physician assistant and army veteran who would play a pivotal role in reshaping Anthony’s career aspirations from accounting to a completely new path. His mentor recognized that Anthony was then driven by a desire to make a difference and to help others, so he encouraged him to pursue higher education in healthcare. When he graduated with a dual degree, earning a bachelor’s in healthcare studies and a master’s in physician assistant studies, Anthony was equipped with the knowledge and skills needed to thrive in the next step of his career journey into healthcare.

Anthony joined Northwell as a physician assistant in the Surgical Intensive Care Unit (SICU) at North Shore University Hospital (NSUH) before working at another hospital in the Medical Intensive Care Unit (MICU) with additional coverage in the Coronary Care Unit. His experiences in these critical care settings helped hone his clinical skills. Today in his current role as a critical care physician assistant in the Tele-ICU at Northwell, Anthony uses telehealth platforms to manage critically ill patients across the entire Northwell system. His ability to adapt to new technologies and provide high-quality care virtually, highlights his commitment to delivering exceptional patient care.

“Northwell has a system of support that allows myself and others like me to succeed,” says Anthony, “Northwell recognizes veterans for their service and commitment to their country and prioritizes resources to give us the support we need.” Anthony completed programs like “Mentoring and Professionalism in Training” and is currently a group leader for a new mentorship program cohort. He’s also nearing completion of the “Essentials of Leadership Course” and was nominated for our 2024 LeadNEXT leadership development program. Reflecting on the organization’s commitment to reinvest in its employees, Anthony plans to pursue an MBA in healthcare analytics with financial assistance through Northwell’s tuition reimbursement program at Hofstra University. In addition to his professional growth, Anthony is an active member of the organization “PAs in Virtual Medicine and Telemedicine,” a caucus of the American Academy of Physician Assistants. His involvement emphasizes his dedication to raising awareness about the vital roles physician assistants play in telemedicine.

Anthony’s story serves as an inspiration for all who seek to transition from the military to a fulfilling civilian career. His journey is a testament to his commitment to service and his dedication to making a difference. His experiences in the military and his educational and professional growth at Northwell reflect his resilience and passion for helping others, particularly fellow veterans. Northwell’s support and commitment to its employees have assisted Anthony to thrive and make a meaningful impact in his healthcare career. “I would advise any veteran to continue to serve their community with Northwell, where you know you can make a difference.”

Learn more about how Northwell Health supports veterans.