In a powerful and deeply personal episode of the Stories of Service podcast, host Theresa Carpenter welcomes Army veteran and advocate Lauren Palladini to share her harrowing journey through military medical malpractice. What begins as a story of dedicated service and joyful anticipation of motherhood turns into a sobering account of medical trauma, systemic failure, and unwavering resolve.
Lauren’s experience at Womack Army Medical Center during the birth of her daughter in 2019 not only changed her life forever—it launched her into a battle for accountability and reform within the military healthcare system. In this blog, we explore key moments from the podcast, highlight Lauren’s courage, and discuss the broader implications of her advocacy for justice and the Hero Act.
Guest Bio: Lauren Palladini
Lauren Palladini is a U.S. Army veteran who served from 2016 to 2020 as a Signal Support Systems Specialist with the 82nd Airborne Division. A proud native of San Antonio, Texas, Lauren joined the military out of a desire to serve and quickly fell in love with the structure, camaraderie, and purpose it provided.
Her service took a traumatic turn in 2019 when she experienced severe complications during childbirth at Womack Army Medical Center—an incident that would later be deemed medical malpractice. Since then, Lauren has transformed her pain into purpose. She co-founded Coalition of Heroes, a nonprofit that advocates for reforms in military healthcare and legal accountability, including the push to pass the Hero Act.
🔑 Key Takeaways:
Medical Negligence and Long-Term Impact: Lauren suffered severe hemorrhaging during a cesarean section at Womack Army Medical Center, resulting in a damaged uterine artery and, ultimately, a hysterectomy. This incident has had permanent consequences for her health and ability to have more children.
Lack of Transparency and Accountability: The military healthcare system failed Lauren not just medically, but administratively. From evasive meetings with doctors to dismissive comments and obstructive legal processes, Lauren was denied transparency and closure.
The Feres Doctrine and Legal Obstacles: The Feres Doctrine, which bars service members from suing the federal government for injuries during service, prevented Lauren from seeking legal recourse in civilian court. Her only path was through an internal claims process, which she found deeply flawed and biased.
Advocacy Through the Hero Act: In response to her experience, Lauren co-founded Coalition of Heroes and began advocating for the Hero Act, legislation that would allow service members to pursue malpractice claims in district court.
Ongoing Fight for Reform: Despite setbacks—including claim denials, legal mismanagement, and emotional trauma—Lauren continues her fight. Her case is now in its final appeal stage with the DHA, and her advocacy work remains tireless.
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Lauren Palladini’s story is a painful reminder of the urgent need for reform within the military healthcare system. It is also a shining example of resilience and courage in the face of injustice. Her journey—from an enthusiastic young soldier to a fierce advocate for systemic change—underscores the importance of accountability, transparency, and legal fairness for all service members.
Theresa Carpenter’s Stories of Service podcast continues to highlight stories that too often go unheard. In Lauren’s case, her voice is not only a testament to personal strength, but a call to action for policymakers, military leadership, and the broader community to do better by those who serve.
Action Items ✔️
✅ Theresa Carpenter will track Lauren's case and provide periodic updates as it progresses through the final DHA appeal.
✅ Theresa will encourage other military podcasters to cover stories of military medical malpractice and help break the silence.
✅ Lauren Palladini will continue advocating for the Hero Act, pushing for legislative change that enables military members to seek justice in district court.
✅ Lauren urges fellow victims to keep fighting—because silence only strengthens a broken system.
