About
Veterans Lodge is a subsidiary of Veterans Holdings, Inc., a 501(c)3, and is committed to honoring and empowering America's veterans. Our mission is to provide a healthy environment in a serene setting where veterans and their families can come to rehabilitate through predictive health, innovative education, and transformational research. Veterans Lodge is ideally positioned to respond, in concert with the VA, to the major national health crisis affecting our returning veterans and to make a landmark impact on their health, well-being, and quality of life. Veterans Lodge represents an innovative solution and will provide a template for expanding quality care to veterans throughout Florida and beyond.
Veterans are our mission. They served us now, we will serve them. Our goal is to ensure that all veterans get the best treatment and rehabilitation possible so that they may become the most successful and well-adjusted in our nation’s history.
Collaborating for a Cause
The Lodge benefits greatly from a depth of knowledge and decades of related expertise of our staff. Team members include experts within the veterans' healthcare system, university research, hospital management, financial industry, utility sectors, planning and engineering, as well as construction and operations. Connections and relationships have been formed across the nation to bring better care to veterans.
Our medical resources and connections from Tallahassee Memorial Hospital, Florida State University Medical School and University Medical Center will bring critical expertise and knowledge in the field of long-term medical care, clinical research, and trauma rehabilitation. The Lodge will create a unique environment where medical professionals and researchers can come together and collaborate about how to best rehabilitate our veterans.
Our Team
Julie Smith - Founder and CEO
Julie’s professional career was comprised of real estate brokering between some of the biggest purchasers in the United States. Personal experiences with wounded veterans inspired her to create a place of love, healing, and support for servicemen and women and their families, and building that became her personal mission and life passion. For the last several years, Julie has turned her boundless energy and relentless efforts towards aiding returning and retired veterans. She conceived Veterans Lodge as an environment where veterans can safely begin transitioning back to civilian life.
Barbara Day - Fundraising
Barbara Day, M.S., R.D., holds a master's degree in clinical nutrition and has over 44 year's experience in publishing and promoting healthy living and nutrition. She worked as a Sports Performance Nutrition Consultant to the Navy Seals for 8 years and her husband, Ordie, is retired from the Army. Barbara has a passion for our active duty military, their families, along with veterans and their families.
Our Partners
Killian Construction Co.
Killian Construction Co. is a nationally recognized leader providing excellent construction services in our target markets.
Healthmark Regional Medical Center
Healthmark Regional Medical Center is a short-term, acute care, and surgical hospital in DeFuniak Springs, Florida. They are veteran owned and many of the skilled personnel are experienced caregivers and veterans themselves.
EDSA
EDSA, Inc. is a planning, landscape architecture, and urban design firm founded in 1960. The company is headquartered in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, with offices in Orlando, Florida; Baltimore, Maryland, and Shanghai, China.
Conn & Associates Architects
From functionality, beauty, and efficiency—Conn & Associates Architects brings a well-balanced design solution to every project. Conn has thorough experience in a wide range of building types, all of which incorporate energy efficient solutions to culturally significant spaces.
Operation Restored Warrior
Operation Restored Warrior is a transformational ministry that has been changing lives for 11 years. They will be Veterans Lodge’s partner tasked with spiritually rescuing, rebuilding, and restoring our nation’s military warriors.