Pictured, from left to right, are: Dr. William Jackson, president and chief executive officer of Erlanger; Chris Cole, ESGR volunteer; Jennifer Ohle, Erlanger’s perioperative director; Heidi Septor, RN; Annette Chapman, Erlanger’s perioperative manager; Adam Royer, surgical services administrator at Erlanger; and Gregg Gentry, chief administrative officer at Erlanger
The Department of Defense, Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve, through their local representatives, saluted Erlanger Health System's Annette Chapman, Kayla Whiteaker and Jennifer Ohle with the Patriotic Employer Award for their support of two employees during their employment at Erlanger and the National Guard and Reserve.
The Patriotic Employer 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.
Member of the Army National Guard, Florida Medical Detachment, Captain Heidi Septor nominated Ms. Chapman and Ms. Ohle. “Annette has always supported my military career, as well as my husband's,” wrote Capt. Septor. “Being a dual military family, it can be tough to find childcare. Due to Annette's compassion, she has made it possible for our family to continue our civilian and military careers by adjusting my work schedule as needed. Jennifer fully supports my military schedule and how it requires more time for travel, due to the distance. She has always been flexible with my time at work.”
Sargent Timothy Bethune, Alabama National Guard, Medical Detachment, Birmingham, Al., nominated Kayla Whiteaker. Sgt. Bethune wrote, “I'm a former officer who just came back in the military as enlisted to finish my 20 years. I have been mobilized for a total of five and one half years during my 18 years in the military. I have been employed at Erlanger during most of my military career. Kayla has been extremely gracious, very flexible and supportive by accommodating changes in my schedule in support of all my current military duty needs and requests. I would like to recognize her for her support of the National Guard and her country."
Chattanooga military veteran, Chris Cole, who devotes his time as a volunteer to the ESGR, presented The Patriotic Employer Awards to Ms. Chapman, Ms. Whiteaker and Ms. Ohle for their continuing support of employees in the National Guard and Reserve.
“The unique aspect about most ESGR awards is that they originate from the service members, like Heidi and Timothy, who desire to see their supervisors recognized instead of the more common situation where supervisors nominate their employees for an award,” said Mr. Cole. “In reality, the National Guard and Reserves could not exist without the employers. We are proud to recognize Erlanger’s management for their support.”
Pictured, from left to right, are: Gregg Gentry, chief administrative officer at Erlanger; Chris Cole, ESGR volunteer; Kayla Whiteaker, Erlanger’s adult trauma director; and Tim Bethune, trauma nurse navigator