ROCHESTER, Minn. – Navy Reserve Lt. Stacy Parker, an advanced practice registered nurse(APRN), is presenting the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) Patriot Award to her supervisor Eric Sandburg, a cardiac surgery circulating nurse. The award was given on March 9 at the Mayo Clinic St. Mary’s campus.

Parker stated, “Mr. Sandburg played an instrumental role in helping me juggle both my civilian and military duties. As an operative nurse with the Navy Reserves, I am tasked with several collateral duties. One of which is being a member of an exportable training team; traveling monthly to train Sailors Tactical Combat Casualty Care, enabling them to provide care under combat conditions. As a former Navy Sailor, Mr. Sandberg recognizes the importance this training played for our service members and their readiness. He recognized that this training as a Reservist translates well into my civilian job at Mayo Clinic responding to emergency and trauma patients and coordinating their surgical care in a fast-paced, multidisciplinary environment. Mr. Sandberg assisted me in our first annual Veterans Day celebration. He also supported my initiative to put together Holiday packages currently deployed service members and families.”

• Sandberg also signed a statement of support for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve, confirming that the company joins other employers in pledging:
  We fully recognize, honor, and comply with the Uniformed Services Employment and Re-Employment Rights Act (USERRA).
• We will provide our managers and supervisors with the tools they need to effectively manage employees who serve in the Guard and Reserve.
• We appreciate the values, leadership and unique skills service members bring to the workforce and will encourage opportunities to hire Guardsmen, Reservists and Veterans.
• We will continually recognize and support our country’s service members and their families, in peace, in crises and in war.

ESGR is a Department of Defense office that developes and promotes supportive work environments for service members in the National Guard and Reserve though outreach, recognition, and educational opportunities that increase awareness of applicable laws. ESGR also provides assistance in resolving conflicts between Service Members and their employers. This year, ESGR celebrates 51 years of excellence in support of the Reserve Components and their civilian employees. For more information about ESGR outreach programs or volunteer opportunities, call (800)336-4590 or visit www.ESGR.mil/MN.

Photo: left to right; Navy Reserve Lt. Stacy Parker, Erik Sandberg, ESGR Volunteer Jim Kelzenberg.