Ask a random person to picture an important healthcare professional, and you’ll probably hear “doctor” or “nurse.” But in reality, some of the most critical roles in medicine happen behind the scenes—especially in the operating room. 

These roles demand life-saving decisions, rapid action, and a deep sense of calm in the face of pain and uncertainty. 

In such a high-pressure environment, you might wonder: what keeps these professionals going? 

For Diane Layman, a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA), and Rasoul Scholz, a board-certified anesthesiologist, the answer lies in shared purpose—and in the powerful bonds they’ve built through medicine and military service. 

Carrying the Calm: What It Means to Be an Anesthesia Provider 

Anesthesia professionals—like CRNAs and anesthesiologists—do far more than put patients to sleep. They’re responsible for safely managing pain and consciousness throughout surgical procedures, and their role begins long before anyone steps into the OR. 

“It’s true…our role isn’t solely specific to the operating room and labor deck,” said Nurse Diane. 

Before surgery, anesthesia professionals assess each patient’s medical history, medications, and potential risk factors to develop a tailored anesthesia plan. During operations, they monitor everything from heart rate to breathing, adjusting medications in real-time to ensure the patient stays stable. And their work doesn’t end there—they often conduct post-op evaluations and help manage pain during recovery. 

It’s complex, high-responsibility work that requires deep clinical expertise and constant focus—especially in military settings, where cases can shift quickly from routine to urgent. 

Always On Call: The Demands of Military Anesthesia 

In military and government healthcare, anesthesiology isn’t something that happens once in a while—it’s constant. Nurse Diane says they’re on-call all day, making split-second decisions that can weigh heavily on their emotions. 

Any time of the day, they may be called in to help stabilize a patient or assist during life-or-death situations. 

Whether it’s chatting with veterans to assess their medical history or making fast decisions during emergencies, Nurse Diane and Dr. Rasoul performed high-level medical work that not only treated people—but saved lives. 

“We’re very often with them during the very happiest day of their life or their most difficult day, right?” Nurse Diane said. “And so I really think it’s a great opportunity to be able to step in and be that light, you know, for a few minutes. And I can’t think of a more important job. 

“Like My Own Family”: When Military Medicine Hits Close to Home 

Nurse Diane and Dr. Rasoul share a deep regard for military members. During her years with Matrix Providers, Nurse Diane considered it a privilege to care for World War II veterans, which is a rare opportunity today.  

“They’re amazing people. They’re resilient. They’re appreciative. And their life—given to service,” Nurse Diane says. “It really is an honor and a privilege to take care of our veterans and their families.” 

Their deep respect for service members is already a powerful motivating force in the challenging work they do. But for these two medical professionals, it runs even deeper. 

Dr. Rasoul has a son in the Army who’s serving in Texas. Likewise, Nurse Diane and her husband both served in the U.S. Air Force, and their son is currently in the Marines. 

This means they’re not just experts in anesthesia—they understand military medicine on a personal level. Their insights come not only from medical training, but also from the lived experiences of their families. 

And this—this family-level connection to military healthcare—is what fuels them as they take on high-stakes medical work, day after day, year after year. 

For Dr. Rasoul, that connection is what allows him to treat patients as more than just cases. 

“We are the same people. We don’t treat them differently.” 

In medicine, it’s one thing to care for someone out of empathy. It’s another to feel a genuine bond through shared life experience. 

“I would help my son exactly the same way that I am helping any other soldier in the hospital. So any family member of the soldier in the hospital—I am helping like my own family. Honestly, that is the way we behave,” Dr. Rasoul shared.  

That blood-deep bond is what sustains them—and what makes their level of care so exceptional. 

Professional Excellence, Backed by a Strong Team 

That strong sense of kinship didn’t stop with the doctor-patient relationship—it also shaped the way Nurse Diane and Dr. Rasoul worked with their teams. Collaboration, mutual respect, and shared mission are at the center of everything they did. 

“My team members are very professional, ethical, very competent doctors that I have ever seen, truly, around the country that I’m working with,” Dr. Rasoul said. 

In high-stakes environments like military hospitals, that kind of collaboration makes all the difference. Knowing that you’re surrounded by capable, compassionate teammates creates a culture where providers can focus fully on patient care. 

But behind every great team is the infrastructure that makes it possible—and for Nurse Diane and Dr. Rasoul, that support came from Matrix Providers during the time they worked together.  

What sets Matrix apart, they say, isn’t just filling roles—it’s how the company shows up when it matters most. 

“They’re always there whenever you need them—just one phone call away,” Dr. Rasoul shared. “And they listen. They are professionals.” 

From communication to problem-solving, Matrix makes it easy for providers to stay focused on care. That kind of reliable support reflects the same values Nurse Diane and Dr. Rasoul brought to their patients: consistency, trust, and professionalism. 

“And trying to fix the problem or concern or any issues you have immediately—I would say, very professional collaboration between us and them,” Dr. Rasoul added. 

A Long-Standing Relationship with Matrix Providers 

Nurse Diane was with Matrix Providers from 2017 to 2022, working side by side with her colleague and friend Dr. Scholz. 

“Matrix has been a good company to work for,” she said. “And I have found Matrix to be a highly organized and very receptive company.” 

Both Nurse Diane and Dr. Scholz say they would gladly refer colleagues—and already have. 

“I have referred my colleagues to Matrix,” Dr. Scholz said. “Definitely I did in the past, and I will do in the future too.” 

For these two dedicated providers, Matrix offers more than a contract. It’s a team they trust—one that makes it possible for them to focus on what matters most: serving those who serve. 

Ready to serve with a team that treats you like family? Join Matrix Providers! 

Since 2012, Matrix Providers has been trusted by the U.S. Department of Defense to deliver exceptional staffing services to VA facilities and military healthcare clinics nationwide. Our focus is simple: support the professionals who care for America’s heroes. 

Nurse Diane and Dr. Scholz have shown what’s possible when passion, service, and support come together. At Matrix Providers, we bring that same level of care to every provider relationship—because when you’re supported, you can focus on what matters most. 

Whether you’re an experienced provider or exploring government healthcare for the first time, we offer a wide range of opportunities tailored to your goals—and we’ll be here to support you every step of the way. 

Take a look at our current openings to find the right fit or contact our expert recruiters to explore what’s possible for you.