ChristianaCare Honored for Commitment to Service Members and Veterans

In recognition of ChristianaCare’s commitment to supporting employees who are service members and veterans, the Delaware Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) has given three honors to ChristianaCare.

ChristianaCare President and CEO Janice Nevin, M.D., MPH, and Constance Przybylek, MSN, RN-BC, NEA-BC, administrative director of Perioperative Services, were recognized with EGSR’s Patriot Award, which recognizes supervisors for support provided to service members in the Guard or Reserve, such as flexible work schedules and assistance during deployment.

ChristianaCare-GoHealth Urgent Care received the Pro Patria Award, the single-highest level award from the Delaware EGSR.

ESGR is a Department of Defense program which promotes supportive work environments for service members in the National Guard and Reserve.

Natalie Torres, director of Inclusion and Diversity for ChristianaCare, said these awards are especially meaningful because they were the result of nominations from a ChristianaCare caregiver who is currently a service member. The awards affirm the importance of creating a supportive environment for caregivers who serve or have served.

“It’s great for us to have veterans and service members who can bring their brilliance to the job. It’s good for caregivers and for our patients,” Torres said.

“When caregivers can show up and be their authentic selves, the organization will get their best.”

As part of the commitment to help caregivers more fully bring themselves to their roles, the ChristianaCare Salutes! Employee Resource Group has more than 60 members who are veterans or service members with the National Guard or Reserves.

Sam Wetherill, Pharm.D., MHA, MPS-SCM, is the executive sponsor of the Salutes! ERG and a retired service member who has been mobilized multiple times while at ChristianaCare. He said it is important for caregivers who are veterans or currently serving to get support from their colleagues and the larger organization so they can feel comfortable self-identifying.

“I am very grateful that we have excellent support from our Employee Relations and Human Resources teams. They are very quick to provide guidance on ChristianaCare policies so that we can dedicate our time to serving our country,” Wetherill said.

Courtney Gale, senior computer support analyst, said it can be challenging to return to civilian work after serving in the military. But working in health care creates an opportunity to put the skills to good use that he honed while in the military—being flexible, remaining calm during a challenge and being willing to learn on the job.

“The most rewarding part of military service and being a ChristianaCare caregiver is being part of a team, the camaraderie. I feel honored to be able to serve again with love and excellence,” Gale said.

Torres said one of ChristianaCare’s diversity and inclusion goals includes hiring more caregivers who have served or are serving in the military. Receiving awards such as the ones from the EGSR help spread the message that ChristianaCare is a military-friendly place to work.

“It sends a message that helps us attract talent. It really tells people who are applying, ‘Look, we welcome you,” Torres said.

Dawan Collick is a service line operations manager and a Navy veteran. He said it is an honor to work for an organization that values his military background. ChristianaCare has nurtured his professional development, allowing him to earn a master’s degree through the reimbursement program.

“The Navy prepared me to serve with honor, courage and commitment. ChristianaCare promotes the same values so my transition to this organization was graceful,” he said.

“Serving our patients and my fellow caregivers in this fashion is my new mission.”