Jill Wachtler

Jill Wachtler moved from Minnesota to California in 2008 when her husband became the Navy’s senior enlisted leader for Information Warfare Training Command at the Defense Language Institute in Monterey. 

In between deployments to Afghanistan and Iraq, Wachtler’s husband started experiencing health issues. Painful rashes and joint shocks eventually evolved into multiple autoimmune disorders that the Veterans Administration (VA) has labeled Gulf War illness. He recently retired after 26 years of service.

“We have experienced firsthand the maze of military, civilian and now VA health care providers that don’t have the connectivity to access each other’s records or the ability to quickly utilize new medications and therapies,” Wachtler said. “I believe Optum Serve has the right people with the right amount of tenacity to make real change. In my own experience as I support my husband, I can understand and better assist so many other Veterans and their families here at Optum Serve.”  

At Optum Serve, Wachtler leads the strategy to advocate, innovate and provide overall support for military and Veteran caregivers. “We are focusing on process changes, such as actively listening to caregivers and empowering them to communicate their needs to providers,” Wachtler said. “We look across all federal solutions to help create strategies wherever there are touchpoint opportunities that make sense.” 

Wachtler also works with military and Veteran service organizations like the Elizabeth Dole Foundation and Blue Star Families to ensure that Optum Serve is fully aligned with issues that matter most to military and Veteran families.