FAYETTEVILLE – Aug. 3, 2021 – Two Cape Fear Valley Health employees recently received the
Patriot Award from the Department of Defense’s Employer Support of the Guard
and Reserve (ESGR) program. ESGR’s award program recognizes employers for
employment policies and practices that are supportive of their employees'
participation in the National Guard and Reserve. 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.
Master Sergeant Leslie Green, who is also a
Licensed Practical Nurse with Cape Fear Valley Health, nominated two of the
health system’s office managers for their support after she was twice called to
active duty last year. Green, who is a member of the N.C. Air National Guard’s
145th Medical Group, was first stationed at Joint Forces Headquarters in
Raleigh and then stationed in Charlotte providing COVID-19 support. Though she
normally works with Cape Fear Valley Urology Group Office Manager Rebecca
Webster, when Green was first called up, she was filling in with Cape Fear
Valley Primary Care Lumberton’s Office Manager Angela Brown.
“My supervisors were completely supportive of my
service to our country,” Green said. “Although Rebecca expressed sadness each
time I had to call to tell her my orders had been extended again, she remained
ever supportive and let me know she and the clinic were anxiously awaiting my
return and were all very proud of me. In April of 2020, when I was called up
the first time, Angie checked on me while I was gone, and she even had an
amazing ‘Welcome Home’ display set up for my return a month later.”
Green said she was grateful to be part of clinics
and a health system that were so supportive of her service and our country.
At the awards presentation, Cape Fear Valley
Health Chief Human Resources Officer Denver Hopkins also signed a Statement of
Support pledge, reiterating the health system’s support of the Uniformed
Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act.
“Cape Fear Valley Health proudly supports our
military members by providing flexibility when they are called to action,”
Hopkins said. “We understand that our needs as a health system come secondary
to the needs of the country and encourage our leaders to support all staff who
are called to duty. We greatly appreciate all that you do!”
According to NC ESGR Training Director Erwin
Gutzwiller, the Statement of Support Program is the cornerstone of ESGR’s
effort to gain and maintain employer support for the Guard and Reserve.
“The intent of the program is to increase
employer support by encouraging employers to act as advocates for employee
participation in the military,” Gutzwiller said.” Supportive employers are
critical to maintaining the strength and readiness of the Nation’s Guard and
Reserve units and support of the Guard and Reserve.”