ESGR Award Recognizes St. John's Hospital Support to Reservist

Cardiovascular Department Supervisor Receives Patriotic Employer Award

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Stan Zielinski (third from left), presents Nicole Horve, with the ESGR Patriot Award in recognition of her strong support of staff member Brett Brooks (far right)

SPRINGFIELD, IL (02/15/2012)(readMedia)-- Nicole Horve, department supervisor for the St. John's Hospital Cardiovascular Department, was honored recently with the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve Patriot Award for the department's outstanding support to staff member Brett Brooks, who also serves as a Captain in the U.S. Army Reserve. Brooks nominated Horve for the award in appreciation for the support and understanding he receives from her and the entire department any time he has had to be away from work on military duty with the Reserve.

While Brooks noted the support he has received from Horve as supervisor, he also felt the Patriot Award was a way to say thank you to his co-workers at the cardiovascular department. "I have been employed at St. John's for over 13 years. During this period I have been mobilized three separate times. My last mobilization stretched from February 2006 until my return in April 2010," he said. "My other department brothers and sisters should get an award of some sort, for having to take over all of my duties. They always send me cards when I am gone."

In addition to the Patriot Award presentation, Horve took the opportunity to publicly show the department's support to the men of the National Guard and Reserve by signing a Statement of Support for the Guard and Reserve.

"On behalf of Illinois Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve State Committee Chair, Dr. Michael Ayers, Ph.D. and the men and women of the National Guard and Reserve, I would like to congratulate Nicole Horve on receiving the Patriot Award for her support to Capt. Brooks," said Stan Zielinski, Illinois ESGR Central West Area Chair. "Our Guard and Reserve service members would not be able to continue to serve in uniform, if not for the support they receive from employers like St. John's Hospital. The continuing support of employers is critical to maintaining the strength and readiness of the National Guard and Reserve."

"I would also like to say thank you for signing this Statement of Support for the Guard and Reserve as a public expression of your already strong commitment to our Guardsmen, Reservists and families," added Zielinski. "By signing a Statement of Support, you are acknowledging the continued importance of service in the National Guard and Reserve to the defense of our nation."

photo 1) Illinois ESGR Central West Area Chair, Stan Zielinski (third from left), presents St. John's Hospital Cardiovascular Department Supervisor, Nicole Horve, with the ESGR Patriot Award in recognition of her strong support of staff member Brett Brooks (far right), who also serves as a Captain in the U.S. Army Reserve with the Patriot Award. Also on hand for the award presentation were (from left) Lt. Col. Tim Franklin, Illinois ESGR Executive Director; ESGR member Jack Kanady and members of the Cardiovascular Department staff.

photo 2) Illinois ESGR representatives and St. John's Hospital Cardiovascular Department staff look on as Department Supervisor, Nicole Horve, signs a Statement of Support the Guard and Reserve to publicly express the department's support to Guard and Reserve members and the important role they play in defending our nation.