Diane Weems, M.D., district health director for Coastal Health District 9-1, and Todd Jones, environmental health director for Chatham County Health Department, have been recognized by the Department of Defense, Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve with the Patriot Award. The award is presented to employers supportive of employees who serve the country.

 

Retired U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Chuck Clark, Georgia employer outreach volunteer, and retired U.S. Air Force Col. Edward Wexler, Georgia area chair, presented Weems and Jones with the award.

 

Weems and Jones were nominated by Chris Newton, Chatham County Health Department environmental health specialist 3, who is also a marine science technician 2 U.S. Coast Guard reservist currently deployed overseas. In his nomination letter, Newton recognized both Weems and Jones for their ongoing support of his duties as a U.S. Coast Guard Reservist.

 

The Patriot Award is the first of the office's sequential and progressive employer awards. It is intended to recognize individual supervisors or the employer organization as a whole. In addition to accepting the award, Weems and Jones also signed a Statement of Support pledging to fully recognize, honor and enforce the Uniformed Services Employment and Re-Employment Rights Act; provide managers and supervisors with the tools needed to manage effectively those employees who serve in the Guard and Reserve; and continually recognize and support service members and their families in peace, in crises and in war.

 

Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve helps develop and promote a culture in which American employers support and value the military service of their employees. There are more than 4,600 volunteers and support staff throughout the U.S. and its territories. The office advocates for relevant initiatives, recognizes outstanding support, increases awareness of applicable laws and works to resolves conflict between employers and service members.  

 

-Story by Sally Silbermann, Risk Communication/Public Information Officer, Coastal Health District 9-1