From Cockpit to Care: How Flying a Marine Helicopter Prepared Me to Lead a Hospice Company
- Brent Emery, MBA
- May 12
- 3 min read
Updated: 1 day ago
By Brent Emery, MBA, Chief Operating Officer
Brent Emery is a former US Marine Corps helicopter pilot who served for over a decade before meeting his Alleviate co-founders in business school at UCLA. In his role as COO, Brent oversees all operations, technology, and processes.
What does flying a Marine helicopter have in common with leading a hospice company? More than you might think. It's a lesson in trust, precision, and what it truly means to serve. My journey from the cockpit to Alleviate Care might seem like an unexpected career path, but as someone who's spent thousands of hours navigating both the skies and the complexities of healthcare, I've discovered profound parallels.
Core Values: A Shared Mission
Whether in military service or hospice care, the foundation is a shared mission of service to others. In the Marine Corps, we're driven by honor, courage, and commitment. At Alleviate Care, our mission is to bring dignity and compassion to people in their final days. Both worlds demand a deep respect for human life and a relentless pursuit of excellence – values that resonate deeply with Alleviate Care's commitment to compassionate care and clinical excellence. It's this dedication to service that bridges the apparent gap between flying helicopters and leading a team that provides comfort and support at life's most vulnerable moments.
Precision and Preparation: The Power of Trust
In aviation, precision is non-negotiable. Before a helicopter even leaves the ground, the crew meticulously checks every system. You inspect, test, and double-check—because when you’re thousands of feet in the air, trust in your equipment and procedures is paramount. There’s no room for error; lives depend on it.
This emphasis on preparation translates directly to hospice care. At Alleviate Care, we build trust through meticulous care plans, detailed protocols, and a commitment to reliability. Just as a pilot relies on a pre-flight checklist, our care teams rely on thorough assessments and ongoing communication to ensure every patient receives the highest quality of care. Patients and families trust us to navigate some of the most challenging moments, and we honor that trust with unwavering attention to detail.
Teamwork and Communication: The Heart of Care
Flying a helicopter isn’t a solo endeavor; it’s a synchronized dance with your crew. Clear, consistent communication can mean the difference between success and disaster. You have to trust your co-pilot, your support crew, and every member of the team.
Similarly, hospice care thrives on teamwork. At Alleviate Care, nurses, social workers, chaplains, and home health aides collaborate to provide holistic care that addresses not just the physical but also the emotional and spiritual needs of our patients and their families. Open communication is essential to ensure everyone is aligned, fostering a supportive environment built on empathy and shared purpose. Just as in aviation, ego has no place here; the mission of compassionate care takes precedence.
Adaptability and Resilience: Navigating the Unknown
In aviation, even the most detailed flight plan can be disrupted by unexpected weather or mechanical issues. You learn to adapt on the fly, stay calm under pressure, and trust your training to guide you through.
Hospice care also demands adaptability. Every patient's journey is unique, and no amount of planning can fully prepare you for the complexities of end-of-life care. At Alleviate Care, we embrace innovation and a modern approach, constantly seeking creative solutions to meet the individual needs of each patient and family. Whether it's adjusting a care plan to manage a patient's changing symptoms or providing unexpected emotional support to a family, we remain resilient, focused on providing personalized care with compassion and expertise.
Serving with Honor: The Alleviate Care Mission
In the military, the mission is always to serve with honor, courage, and commitment. That sense of purpose carries over into hospice care. At Alleviate Care, our mission is to provide an end-of-life experience we would want for ourselves and our families. It's about bringing comfort, dignity, and peace to people in their final days—a privilege and a responsibility we don't take lightly.
The rewards are immense. Whether it's the satisfaction of knowing a family feels supported or witnessing a moment of connection and grace, these experiences remind us why we do this work. Just like the pride of completing a challenging flight, we feel that same pride when our team makes a meaningful difference in someone’s life.
Alleviate Care: A Call to Compassionate Action
From the cockpit to the care team, the principles of service, precision, teamwork, and adaptability remain essential. At Alleviate Care, we channel these values into our mission of providing unwavering support and compassionate care to patients and families. It's a mission that demands our all, but like a successful flight, the rewards lie in the safe passage and the knowledge that we've made a meaningful difference.
Alleviate Care is Southern California’s trusted hospice provider.
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