Exemplary efforts by dedicated staff members to support and assist the U.S. Army Reserve earned the Loyola University Health System (LUHS) Emergency Department (ED) an honor. Nurse Manager Michelle Ruther, RN, MSN was recognized with the Patriotic Employer Award for her extraordinary support of U.S. Army Reserve Capt. Linda Mounce, who is a LUHS ED nurse.
“I am so proud and honored to receive this recognition. Linda has made me feel great, it is a great honor,” said Ruther in a telephone interview. “Linda approached me before she left to help her and provide this support. The whole unit is taking interest in the armed forces and we are currently doing a project to help them celebrate providing assistance in all areas. This is my first experience ever, and I am so happy and thrilled.”
This award is only presented after an ESGR receives a nomination from a guardsman or reservist in Illinois. Ruther was nominated by Capt. Mounce, who described Ruther's actions in a press release, “She is unsurpassed in her support of me. Even before I received mobilization orders, I always knew my requests would be honored without hesitation. Her acceptance, support, and enthusiasm also have filtered down to my workplace teammates, making my transition from RN to soldier easier. I know that my job will be there when I return, and I also know that I have the full support of all the leadership at my institution.”
The Illinois Committee for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR), an agency of the Department of Defense, presented this award to Ruther on Wednesday, during a special meeting at Loyola University Medical center (LUMC). Michael Holub and Terry McCollom of the Illinois Committee of the ESGR presented the award.
The Patriotic Employer Award is presented to recognize employers who provide exceptional and outstanding patriotic support and cooperation to their employees that have responded to serve their nation.
“These employers are critical to maintaining the strength and readiness of the nation’s National Guard and Reserve units. Michelle Ruther and Loyola now join thousands of employers who have demonstrated their devotion to employees in the National Guard and Reserve through full compliance with the statutory requirements of the Uniformed Services Employment and Re-Employment Rights Act law,” said Michael Holub, public affairs director of the Illinois ESGR, in a press release.
Mounce, who has worked in the LUNC ED since 2002, has been in military rotation in Baghdad since January, and expects to return next year.
The ED recently received an American flag that was flown over Mounce's military base. The flag was presented to recognize Loyola's commitment to U.S. armed forces in Iraq.
“We were grateful to receive this flag and this most recent award while Linda is so bravely serving our country,” Ruther said in a press release. “We plan to display the flag and plaque in a place of honor in the Emergency Department.”
Ruther added, “Linda is doing a great job serving this country and the troops. We all miss her very much!”
