HERSHEY, Pa. – Pennsylvania Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR), an office of the Department of Defense, announced that Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center Surgical Intensive Care Unit (SICU), recently received a Seven Seals Award in recognition of extraordinary support of employees serving in the Guard and Reserve.

Pennsylvania ESGR is particularly proud to present employers with a Seven Seals for their strong support of their employees serving in our nation’s Reserve forces.

According to James Astor ESGR South-Central Area Chair, “The Seven Seals Award is the broadest and most inclusive award given by ESGR and is presented at the discretion of the State Chair or by ESGR senior leadership. The award is presented in recognition of significant individual or organizational achievement, initiative, or support that promotes and supports the ESGR mission.”

Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center SICU was nominated for the Seven Seals Award by 1st Lt. Caitrin Cosgrove the Pennsylvania Army National Guard’s Medical Detachment stationed at Fort Indiantown Gap in Annville, Pennsylvania. As a result of that nomination, Pennsylvania State Chair Marty Kuhar awarded the company with a Seven Seals Award.

Penn State Health Milton S. Surgical Hershey Medical Center SICU’s Manager Kristin Holjes accepted the Seven Seals Award on behalf of medical centers staff. Other organizational participants at the presentation ceremony included President Don McKenna, SICU Manager Kristin Holjes, Vice President of Nursing Abigail Rudy, and Chief Nurse Michele Szkolnicki.

Presenting the award on behalf of ESGR was James Astor, Pennsylvania South-Central Area Chair. Astor 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.” Astor 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.”

In addition to presenting the Seven Seals Award, Astor obtained a Statement of Support from Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center’s McKenna. McKenna signed the Statement of Support on behalf of the Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center SICU and stated: “We are very honored to receive the Seven Seals Award and strongly support all the Guard and Reserve service members, and veterans, that work at Penn State Health Milton S Hershey Medical Center.” The Statement of Support confirms 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.

Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center’s SICU joins a cadre of Fortune 500 companies, state and federal, agencies and thousands of America’s employers in demonstrating support for our armed forces. Astor added: “By signing the Statement of Support, Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center’s SICU, 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.”

“Today, supportive employers are critical to maintaining the strength and readiness of the nation’s Guard and Reserve units,” said Astor. “I am asking all South–Central 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.”

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, a 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

Photo: Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center’s President McKenna, ESGR South-Central Area Chair Astor, SICU Manager Holjes, Vice President of Nursing Rudy, and Chief Nurse Szkolnicki