Spartanburg Regional Healthcare System proudly recognizes military veterans who continue to serve their communities through their roles as associates 

Carlos Fonte still remembers his time in the Marines, being overseas, in the middle of Operation Desert Shield in Saudi Arabia in 1990. 

A temporary ceasefire was called, and the conflict was coming to a close, but Fonte suffered a gunshot wound to the leg during an accidental firearm discharge by the driver of his command vehicle. 

The injury sent him on a whirlwind journey of rehabilitation and therapy before he was fully healed. 

Today, Fonte is an occupational therapist supervisor and uses his own experiences to foster hope and healing for children at Spartanburg Medical Center’s Pediatric Rehab Services. 

“Having gone through therapy for nine months, I felt led to pursue a career in occupational therapy,” Fonte said. “This experience taught me to have compassion for those who go through therapy.” 

Fonte is one of 362 associates who served in the Armed Forces and now work in myriad ways across the hospital system. On Veterans Day, Spartanburg Regional celebrates and honors those who have served our country and continue to do the same for patients and families across the Upstate. Many veterans enjoyed a Veterans Luncheon on Nov. 6 to enjoy fellowship together and to be recognized for their service. 

Fonte said even at a young age, he had a vision of serving his country and serving others. As a 2-year-old, Fonte came to the United States on a Freedom Flight from Cuba during the Cold War in 1970. At age 10, he became a U.S. citizen. 

“God in His mercy and providence orchestrates events and people to achieve His purposes for His glory, which often blesses His people,” Fonte said. “This sense of gratitude created in me a desire to serve America.”