EAST STROUDSBURG, Pa. – Pennsylvania Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR), an office of the Department of Defense, announced that St Luke’s University Health Network recently received a Patriot Award in recognition of extraordinary support of employees serving in the Guard and Reserve. Pennsylvania ESGR is particularly proud to present employers with a Patriot Award for their strong support of their employees serving in our nation’s Reserve forces.

The Patriot Award reflects the efforts made to support citizen warriors through a wide range of measures including flexible schedules, time off prior to and after deployment, caring for families, and granting leaves of absence if needed.

Supervisor Denise Horn, manager of practice operations at St. Luke’s Smithfield Primary Care was nominated for the Patriot Award by Capt. April Treible of the U.S. Army Reserve’s Army Nursing Corps’ 301st Surgical Augmentation Detachment, based in Ashley.

In nominating Horn, Treible stated: “Denise has been very understanding and a huge help with scheduling my time off, sometimes even at the last minute.” Treible added: “I wanted to thank her in an official military manner and felt the Patriot Award was the most appropriate way. I appreciate everything she and St Luke’s did to support me while I was away and could not be more thankful.”

Presenting the award on behalf of ESGR was Roslyn Schroeder, a Pennsylvania Employer Outreach Representative. Schroeder commented: “It’s critical and an honor to recognize and pay tribute to those employers that hire and support our Guard and Reserve forces. It would be difficult for those in the uniformed services to perform their mission without employer support.” Schroeder added: “Today’s members of the Guard and Reserves are highly trained and skilled; they bring integrity, a global perspective and, proven leadership to the civilian workforce.

Colleen Poehler, Senior director of Primary Care with Luke’s Physician Group, participated in the Patriot Award presentation said it is no surprise that Horn goes above and beyond for people.

St Luke’s Site Administrator Monique Pacheco signed an ESGR Statement of Support confirming that St Luke’s 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 crisis and in war.

“Today, supportive employers are critical to maintaining the strength and readiness of the nation’s Guard and Reserve units,” said Schroeder. “I am asking all Pennsylvania employers to take a look at their current human resources policies to incorporate policies supportive of Guard and Reserve employees.” Many Pennsylvania employers provide support above and beyond their legal requirements by law by offering pay-differential to offset the loss of wages, and extension of health care benefits, which complement coverage provided by the military, when their employees mobilize.”

St Luke’s University Health Network joins a cadre of Fortune 500 companies, state and federal, agencies and thousands of America’s employers in demonstrating support for our armed forces. Schroeder added: “By signing the Statement of Support, St Luke’s University Health Network is sending a clear message to its employees that while they are serving their country, they do not have to worry about their civilian jobs.”

ESGR, a Department of Defense office, seeks to foster a culture in which all employers support and value the employment and military service of members of the National Guard and Reserve in the United States. ESGR facilitates and promotes a cooperative culture of employer support for National Guard and Reserve service by developing and advocating mutually beneficial initiatives, recognizing outstanding employer support, increasing awareness of applicable laws and policies, resolving potential conflicts between employers and their service members, and acting as the employers’ principal advocate within DoD. Paramount to ESGR's mission is encouraging employment of Guardsmen and Reservists who bring integrity, global perspective and proven leadership to the civilian workforce.

For more information about ESGR Outreach Programs, or ESGR volunteer opportunities, please call 1-800-336-4590 or visit www.ESGR.mil/PA

Left to right: Capt. Treible, Patriot Award recipient Horn and ESGR Outreach Representative Schroeder
Photo courtesy Malissa Krycia