Bassett Healthcare Network honored for support of Guard and Reserve members on Thursday

COOPERSTOWN, NY (01/27/2016)(readMedia)-- Major General Patrick Murphy, the commander of the New York National Guard will honor Bassett Healthcare Network for its support of members of the National Guard and Reserve on Thursday, Jan. 28.

Murphy will present the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve Above and Beyond Award to Dr. Vance Brown, the President and Chief Executive Officer of Bassett Healthcare Network.

WHO: Major General Patrick Murphy the Adjutant General of New York and Dr. Vance Brown, President and CEO of Bassett Healthcare Network .

WHAT: Presentation of the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve Above and Beyond award, recognizing Bassett Healthcare's support of part-time Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Marines who work at for the hospital system while also serving their country. The Above and Beyond Award is presented by ESGR State Committees to recognize employers at the local level who have gone above and beyond the legal requirements of the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA) by providing their Guard and Reserve employees additional, non-mandated benefits such as differential or full pay to offset lost wages, extended health benefits, and other similar benefits.

The hospital was nominated for the award by New York Army National Guard Lt. Col. William LeCates, a doctor who has worked for the healthcare system since 2003. LeCates, who joined the New York Army National Guard in 2008, deployed to Afghanistan in 2010 and 2013 and recently served in Liberia as Chief Medical Officer for Operation Onward Liberty, a mission to mentor and advise the Liberian armed forces.

WHEN: 10:30 a.m., Thursday, Jan. 28, 2016

WHERE: Bassett Healthcare Network, 1 Atwell Road, Cooperstown, NY 13326

BACKGROUND:

The Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve program promotes cooperation and understanding between Reserve Component Service members, which includes the National Guard, and their civilian employers and to assist in the resolution of conflicts arising from an employee's military commitment. ESGR is supported by a network of more than 4,600 volunteers in 54 committees located across all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Guam-CNMI (Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands), Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Volunteers, hailing from small business and industry, government, education and prior military service bring a vast wealth of experience to assist in serving employers, service members and their families. Together with Headquarters ESGR staff and a small cadre of support staff for each State Committee, volunteers work to promote and enhance employer support for military service in the Guard and Reserve.