For the medical professionals at ERP International, healthcare is about more than clinical care. It is about supporting the readiness, resilience, and well-being of the men and women who serve our country. Every day, healthcare professionals across military treatment facilities work behind the scenes to ensure service members, veterans, and their families receive the compassionate care they deserve.
For Darlene Noristz R.N., that mission is deeply personal.
Noristz joined ERP International in September 2024 as a Registered Nurse in the Emergency Department at Naval Medical Center Balboa in San Diego, CA. Since then, she has become an integral part of a fast-paced emergency care team serving approximately 300 patients each day. Her patients include active-duty service members, reservists, veterans, and military families who rely on the emergency department during some of the most difficult moments in their lives.
As an emergency department nurse, Noristz plays a frontline role in delivering timely and high-quality patient care. From triaging incoming patients to coordinating with interdisciplinary teams, her work requires both clinical precision and emotional resilience. Yet for Noristz, the role carries an added layer of meaning because she is also a veteran herself.
“As a veteran, supporting the health and readiness of fellow service members is not just my role,” she shared. “It’s a personal commitment.”
A typical day in the emergency department begins with a detailed handoff from the previous shift to ensure continuity of care. Team huddles help align priorities and prepare staff for the demands ahead. Once patients begin arriving, the pace intensifies quickly. Every shift presents new challenges, requiring rapid assessments, critical thinking, and constant collaboration. 
“No two days are ever the same,” Noristz explained, noting that the unpredictability of emergency medicine is both demanding and fulfilling.
One of the biggest challenges she faces is ensuring patients fully understand their treatment plans and have access to the resources they need after leaving the emergency room. In a high-volume environment, taking the time to educate and connect with patients can make a lasting difference in their recovery and peace of mind.
That human connection is also what makes the work most gratifying.
“The most rewarding part is seeing patients improve and witnessing the moment they realize they are truly cared for,” Noristz said. “Building that trust and connection, even in a fast-paced environment, is incredibly meaningful.”
Noristz believes her work directly supports ERP International’s mission of stewardship and service. By combining clinical excellence with compassion and respect, she helps ensure military personnel and their families can return to their duties and daily lives stronger and healthier.
She also credits her team for creating an environment where both staff and patients feel supported. According to Noristz, one of her proudest accomplishments is the culture of teamwork within the ERP contractor team at Naval Medical Center Balboa.
“No matter how busy or demanding things get, we continue to show up with positivity, teamwork, and dedication,” she said. “Our ERP team has built a culture that feels like family.”
That sense of support extends throughout the organization. Noristz says one of the things she values most about working for ERP International is the connection she feels with colleagues, leadership, and support staff across the company.
“Whether it’s HR, scheduling, or leadership, I know I’m supported and valued,” she explained. “I come to work each day knowing I’m appreciated, and that motivates me to give my best and represent ERP with excellence.”
For healthcare professionals like Darlene Noristz, every shift is an opportunity to make a meaningful impact. Through compassionate care, teamwork, and dedication to service, she exemplifies the commitment that drives ERP International’s mission forward every day.
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