HCA’s TriStar Health System Continues Support of Guard and Reserve
Story and photos by Maj. William D. Ritter, Army Reserve Medical Command Public Affairs Office
BRENTWOOD, Tenn. - Calling employer support critical to maintaining the strength and readiness of the nation's National Guard and Reserve units, Brig. Gen. David Smalley, joined HCA/ TriStar officials to witness their signing of the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) Statements of Support.
Smalley, deputy commanding general for the Army Reserve Medical Command, traveled to Nashville to take part in ceremonies hosted at Hospital Corporation of America (HCA)/TriStar Health System offices.
The signing was a gesture on HCA/ TriStar Health System’s part to reassure it’s employees throughout Kentucky, Tennessee and Northwest Georgia of the organization’s continued support of its employees who are Citizen-Soldiers.
“Their service certainly deserves the highest possible support and by signing these Statements of Support today we are reaffirming our company’s long-standing commitment to support the Guard and Reserve,” said Larry Kloess, president of TriStar Health System. “We are proud to support the men and women, and their families, who make significant sacrifices to answer our country’s call to service.”
Kloess was joined by twenty hospital CEOs within the HCA’s TriStar Health System organization, all reaffirming their support of the nation’s Guard and Reserve troops.
The signing continues the company’s proud tradition of supporting our Citizen-Soldiers. According to Kloess, HCA was awarded the ESGR Above and Beyond award in 2005. That award recognizes organizations whose support of employees who serve in the military, goes above and beyond the requirements set by law.
At HCA, while employees are deployed, they pay any difference between the employees’ military and HCA salaries while continuing to provide insurance benefits for family members and accrue paid time off and seniority for the service member.
“Our Soldiers need to be able to serve their country with confidence and peace of mind, knowing their employment is secure when they have completed the job of serving our nation, said Brig. Gen. Smalley, “The events of today’s signing are the type of support our Soldiers need from their civilian workplace.”
Smalley was joined at the ceremony by Army Reserve Ambassador Dr. Sherman Reed and Joe Thomas, ESGR State Chairman.
According to Mr. Thomas, the Statement of Support program asks employers to recognize the critical role the Reserve Components play in our Nations’ defense and pledge support for their employees who participate as Citizen-Soldiers in our “community based defense force.”
HCA TriStar Health System operates 14 facilities in three states. Many of its medical professionals also serve as Warrior-Citizens. Currently, 147 of their employees are on military leave serving their country, and fellow Soldiers around the globe in military healthcare facilities. They join the more than 600,000 Guard and Reserve Soldiers that have left their families and employers since September 11, 2001, to serve on active duty in the Global War on Terrorism.
