WGU Alumni Podcast
WGU’s alumni network now has more than 400,000 graduates living in all 50 states. The WGU alumni podcast highlights the incredible work that our alumni are doing in their local communities. We also share benefits, perks, resources and partner information to help our graduates stay engaged and get the most out of the alumni community.
WGU Alumni Podcast
From the Philippines to Michigan: Daniel Velez’s Healthcare Journey
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After earning his BSN in the Philippines, Daniel Velez built a life and career in the United States rooted in service, discipline, and family legacy. Two decades later, already serving in executive leadership, he made a surprising decision: return to school.
In this episode of the WGU Alumni Podcast, Daniel shares how he pursued his MSN while leading senior living operations in Michigan, balancing CMS standards, financial performance, and a culture of empathy for residents and staff alike. We talk about the differences between nursing pathways in the U.S. and abroad, why leadership in post-acute care requires both heart and operational rigor, and the habits that helped him grow from clinician to vice president.
If you’ve ever wondered whether growth has an expiration date, Daniel’s story is a reminder that it doesn’t — and that leadership rooted in service only gets stronger with time.
Hey everybody, welcome back to the WGU Alumni Podcast. We're thrilled to have you tuning in yet again. My name is Jeff Burton. I'm the senior manager of alumni engagement here at WGU. And today we're joined by recent distinguished graduate awardee Daniel Velez. Daniel, welcome to the podcast. Good to see you.
SPEAKER_00Thanks, Jeff. Great to see you again, and thanks for the opportunity.
Why Nursing And Moving To The U.S.
SPEAKER_01Absolutely. Well, I love your story. I love your journey, and I'm excited for you to share that with our growing alumni audience. For background, uh, I just wanted to highlight, uh, Daniel, you're originally from the Philippines. I know that you're very active in the nursing community and really dedicated to post-acute care and nursing leadership. And you currently serve as the vice president of Nextcare, Wellbridge Senior Living. And so maybe for background, uh, tell us a little bit why you got involved in healthcare in the first place.
SPEAKER_00Jeff, so caring for others has always been at the core of uh who I am, which is why I chose to obtain my bachelor's of science in nursing in the Philippines. But beyond my passion for healthcare, I was also deeply motivated by my family. So let me share my story. My father worked as a construction worker, and my mother washed clothes for our neighbors to help make ends meet. Moving to the United States was a way for me not only to grow professionally, but also to give back to my family, especially to my parents, a better and more comfortable life. It was really about creating opportunities for them and honoring their ex their sacrifices.
SPEAKER_01I love that. So how old were you when you relocated to the United States? 22. 22. And where did you come first? Michigan.
SPEAKER_00Michigan has always been my base.
SPEAKER_01Okay. What's the best thing about practicing healthcare in Michigan?
VP Role And Care Standards
SPEAKER_00I love the four seasons in Michigan. We have the opportunity to relocate to Houston, Texas, to Bakersfield, California, and Las Vegas, Nevada. But because of the four seasons, we decided to stay in Michigan. Plus, we have family members here. We have connections here, and we're able, you know, to build our community as well of nursing professionals.
Life And Work In Michigan
SPEAKER_01Uh, Daniel, tell me a little bit about the role that you have currently. You're your vice president at Nextcare. Tell us what that looks like.
SPEAKER_00So, as a vice president of operations for uh Nextcare Wellbridge Senior Leaving, I'm responsible to provide support and oversight to make sure that the facilities are maintaining the standards according to CMS federal and state regulations. It's financially viable, so be able to continue to serve our customers and to make sure that we uphold the best standard of care for our residents.
U.S. vs Philippines Nursing Pathways
SPEAKER_01That's great. Now I want to jump back to something I asked you a second ago, and that was you relocated here to the United States. Was there something that surprised you about health care here in the US as compared to the Philippines?
SPEAKER_00Yes, um, one thing that really surprised me about nursing in the United States is the variety of pathways to become a nurse. Here, you can start as a licensed practical nurse or licensed vocational nurse, an associate degree, and uh finally pursue a BSN degree for multiple entry points into the profession. In the Philippines, um, the only option is Bachelor's of Science in nursing. So I found it interesting here in the United States that it offers more flexibility and opportunities for people to enter the field at different levels and then continue to grow on their careers.
SPEAKER_01Interesting. Why do you think that's the way that it is in the United States?
SPEAKER_00I believe we have flexibility here and we're trying to meet the needs of our people. So having that license practical nurse option, associate degree, and then bachelor's of science in nursing uh option is great for the students, for the professionals, and at the same time for their family and the community we serve.
SPEAKER_01So, Daniel, why did you pursue a master's degree in the first place? And and how exactly did you find WGU?
Family Legacy In Healthcare
SPEAKER_00I plan to pursue master's degree of science in nursing as a personal dream of mine. It's always been at the back of my mind. But due to life circumstances, I was trying to put that on hold. But fortunately, there's WGU. While I was talking to my colleague that I wanted to go back, you know, for my master's degree, she actually informed me that she just completed her MSN to WGU. She spoke about flexibility, affordability, and great resources provided by WGU. And for me, it really fits into me as an individual who follows and tries to balance work, family, personal goal, and at the same time, fun. So the flexibility, affordability, and great resources that WGU has afforded me really was the best fit for me. And likewise, this pursuance of my dream as an MSN is an attribute to inspiration to my children, particularly to Ethan and Eli, that dreams can come true. If you put your hard work, your focus, and your determination, time is not a factor. You can still go back, and it's never too late to finish and pursue your dream.
SPEAKER_01Daniel, you're a you're an inspiration to me, to those tuning in, uh, those in the healthcare, but as you said, to your family. I understand your family is very active in healthcare. Can you share a little bit more about that?
SPEAKER_00Interesting, uh Lee. Um, I was the president of the nursing student council in in college, and Karen, my wife, is the vice president of the nursing student council. Our firstborn son, Ethan, just graduated high school, and he will actually be pursuing nursing this fall. So it's really runs deep our family, the value of caring, compassion, and service. And we are very proud that Ethan is really interested to pursue nursing, healthcare, because it shows that he will be able to pursue our legacy as healthcare professionals and contribute to our community.
SPEAKER_01I love that everybody in your family is uh involved, and that's an important calling. And again, you and your wife Karen are great examples of that. Uh, you mentioned that you want to let them know that it's never too late to pursue your passion, and we talked about that a little bit ago in terms of the theme of this season. So I have a question. Was there a moment when it clicked for you when you knew it was never too late to advance your career through education?
SPEAKER_00Yes, there was definitely a moment. Way back in 2018, I was uh privileged to be awarded an alumni distinguished award by the College of Nursing uh during the Ruby celebration for 16 excellence awardees for nursing. I quickly realized that out of that 16, I'm the only one who did not yet have a master's or doctorate degree. So it fueled my passion to really fulfill that lifelong dream of mine after obtaining my bachelor's of science in nursing degree 20 years after I started my Amazon journey at WGU, and the rest is history.
Future Goals: Speaking And Service
SPEAKER_01The rest is history. I love that. Now I want to look a little bit uh forward and talk about what is coming up for you in your career and in your personal life. Um, what's a professional goal that you're focused on right now? And share a little bit about that with us.
SPEAKER_00Right now, Jeff, I'm truly enjoying and loving my role as vice president of operation for next K Railbridge Senior Leaving Region 3, plus the work that I do through Philippine Nurses Association of Metro Detroit and the Michigan Certificate of Need Commission. But my goal is truly to enhance my skills as well as a conference and motivational speaker. So that is really my goal for the next uh two years. For me, speaking about my experience, telling about my stories a way of giving back. I'm hoping that people, the listeners, the viewers, the attendees will be inspired by my story, gain some insights and ideas on how to make their life better as a professional and as a leader.
Priority Setting And Career Advice
SPEAKER_01I I love that that you're gonna have an opportunity to share and inspire those as a speaker and those in healthcare and others. Uh I'm curious along those lines, like what's one life hack or or one thing that has you feel made you very successful in your career?
SPEAKER_00I believe, Jeff, one simple yet very powerful life hack that really shaped me into what I am right now is really setting clear priorities at any given moment. You have to make sure that you know what's the priority. May it be work, may it be family, may it be school, and may it be for fun. So just like an important meeting, you have to black certain times in your calendar, stick to it, make that as a priority. It may not be easy, yes, it may be hard, but the reward is truly fulfilling.
SPEAKER_01I love that, Daniel. Uh another question: what advice would you give to someone who's wondering if it's too late to pursue their goals and go after their dreams?
How Daniel And Karen Met
SPEAKER_00I'm a living proof that after 20 years of finishing my Bachelor's of Science in Nursing and pursuing my MSN degree is still a reality. All you need to do is to find that person who has been to that path, be inspired by their story, set priorities, stick to the plan, and no matter how difficult the path may be, go for it. Be resilient, be consistent, be committed to your goal, and the results are truly rewarding.
SPEAKER_01So, Daniel, I want to make sure that I got this right. So you were the president of the student council and Karen was vice president. Is that how you two met?
SPEAKER_00That's correct. We actually live in the same city, but we haven't met or have known each other personally until we are actually nursing students. So in the third year of our nursing class, that's our junior years, that's where we first met, make a bond, and that's the time that we run for the office in preparation for the senior year. And that was the president of the nursing student for myself and Karen as a vice president. And fortunately, we both won by landslide votes, and we built relationships, you know, as students, and then after that, personally, as a couple and as spouse. That's great. How many years ago was that? That was 1998. So 1997, and 1998, we graduated um from uh from uh our school with our BSN this uh BSN degree.
SPEAKER_01That's awesome. So I want to ask you what impressed you about her?
SPEAKER_00Intelligence, dedication, focus, and resilience.
SPEAKER_01All right, and as they say, the rest is history.
SPEAKER_00Of course, you cannot get that out of the equation, the personal beauty, right?
SPEAKER_01Uh how how is it working with her? First again, as as students.
SPEAKER_00Well, Karen is very focused. Uh, she has her group of friends. I have my own uh group of friends, and we're really close, become closer, I'm going to say, um, during our nursing student council tenure. So um, she inspires me. I inspired her, and um, unfortunately, and I'm going to say that uh we are one of the members at the top of our class because we complement each other.
SPEAKER_01Daniel, you were recently selected as one of 14 distinguished graduates, and I want to ask you a little bit about what that means to you to be selected as a WGU distinguished graduate.
SPEAKER_00To be a recipient of that award is truly an honor and at the same time a responsibility. A responsibility to inspire others to my story, a responsibility to make sure that others understands where I come from so that they'll be able to use those insights to better themselves as leaders and professionals. And at the same time, it's our responsibility to give back to others that if I can do it, they can do it as well.
Rapid Fire: From The Nest
SPEAKER_01Well, thank you for saying that. Thank you for living that. And more than anything, thank you for being such a great ambassador of WGU and truly inspiring others, young nurses coming up through the profession, as well as peers that have maybe been in this profession for a number of years. Uh, you talked about burnout and you talked about, you know, recharging and making sure self-care is a part of that. And uh again, your story, your journey, the things that you're focused on in the future, I think all align with inspiring and lifting others. So kudos and congratulations to you uh with all of your success. Thank you, Jeff. Yeah. So, Daniel, I want to put you on the hot seat, so to speak, if we can. And that is we have a segment called From the Nest. And uh I've compiled a list of uh rapid fire questions. So I want to just get to know you a little bit better. Uh, and so if your game is to have a seat on the hot seat, let's go for it. Let's do it. Okay. Uh first question. Daniel, are you an early bird or a night owl? Night owl. Uh, what's the first thing that you do in the morning? Meditation. Uh, what's one thing you miss about the Philippines? Food, particularly fresh seafood. What's one word to describe the moment you felt when you completed your WG degree? Hallelujah. What's your favorite late-night study snack? Mixed nuts. Okay, pineapple on a pizza, yes or no?
SPEAKER_00Absolutely yes. Hawaiian pizza is one of the best.
SPEAKER_01Uh, what is a quote or a mantra that you strive to live by?
SPEAKER_00Every day is a gift, tomorrow is not promised. Be a blessing to yourself, be a blessing to others.
SPEAKER_01Oh, very good. Uh, what is a project that's still on your bucket list?
SPEAKER_00Hopefully, soon I will be a dead to a golden doodle. I'm not sure if that's that you're calling that a project, but that's next in line.
SPEAKER_01Absolutely, that works. Uh, how about a dream vacation spot?
SPEAKER_00Spain or Greece?
SPEAKER_01And what makes you proud to be a night owl and a WGU alum?
SPEAKER_00It's truly a testament that dream can be fulfilled and inspiration to others, and never too late to get back to your dream, pursue it, and accomplish it.
SPEAKER_01Very good. All right, Daniel, that those were great. You're you're officially off the hot seat. All right. What do you enjoy most about being a nurse?
SPEAKER_00It's really the connection, made me a connection directly to my patients, my residents, a connection to my co-workers, connection to my leaders. It's truly about connecting with other people that I love about nursing.
SPEAKER_01Yeah. What makes you come alive when you connect with a colleague or with a patient or with someone you're working with?
SPEAKER_00It's about that caring and empathy that makes us connect with one another. And really my contribution as not just as a person, but as a professional, when I am playing the role as a nurse, particularly to my patients, to my colleagues, to my team members, and even amongst leaders.
Operations Leadership And Impact
SPEAKER_01How about your connection in your current role? You're the vice president of operations there at Nextcare. Tell me a little bit about what that role looks like and how important that is for you.
Why Nursing Still Matters
SPEAKER_00As a vice president of operations for Nextcare for Region 3, I am responsible to provide oversight and support to the locations, particularly to the executive directors, director of nursing, to make sure that all of our locations are following the standards of practice by CMS, the federal and state regulation. Likewise, that we remain financially viable in order for us to serve the community, our vulnerable residents and guests, and um and to deliver that epic customer service.
Closing Thanks And Alumni CTA
SPEAKER_01Oh, that's that's great, an important role for sure. Daniel, this has been a great interview. I've learned quite a lot more about you and your journey and what you've got coming up. And uh it's just been great connecting with you here today and and being inspired by your journey. So thank you for joining us.
SPEAKER_00Thank you, Jeff. It's a pleasure, it's an honor to be a part of the WGU community.
SPEAKER_01That's great. Thank you. Daniel, thank you for being a guest. Thank you for your time and for your inspiring words and sharing your journey with us. And thank you to our viewers and our alumni audience for tuning in to yet another episode. We invite you to stay connected with WGU. Visit WGU.edu slash alumni for upcoming events and opportunities to stay engaged. We're thrilled to have you part of our growing alumni network. And we want to say stay safe and have an enjoyable day, everybody.