South Carolina Governor, Henry McMaster, hosted representatives from the military and Employer Support of the Guard Reserve (ESGR) for presentations of the Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award, the highest U.S. government honor to employers for support of National Guard and Reserve employees, at the Governor's Mansion, Sept. 28, 2021. Sgt. Roxana Banaduc, a 68W with the 332nd Medical Brigade, nominated her employer, Grand Strand Medical, for the award. Grand Strand Medical was one of 15 employers to win the annual award.

Sgt. Roxana Banaduc, spoke with deep emotional appreciation for the support she received with balancing her military and professional career, saying, “I am grateful to have been employed by Grand Strand Medical Center throughout the years.”

Banaduc was especially appreciative for the support she received while part of an Army Urban Augmentation Medical Task Force and for support in allowing her flexibility to pursue a medical career that matcher her desires with her companies needs, saying, “The staff has supported me through my immigration processing and my military career as well. For example, when I had to leave half way through orientation to help on a COVID-19 mission I was granted more orientation time when I returned. My journey has been a complicated one from the start, but I could always count on them for anything I needed.”

If you wish to recognize an employer who continually demonstrates unwavering commitment to you and your family mebers especially during these times of significant change and hardship, consider nominating your employer at www.freedomaward.mil.