Hackensack University Medical Center Signs Statement of Support for Guard and Reserve Members
July 26, 2018
Hackensack Meridian Health Hackensack University Medical Center recently signed a Statement of Support for the Guard and Reserve, a Department of Defense program.
“By meeting the Statement of Support criteria, Hackensack University Medical Center pledges to stand proudly with its Guard and Reserve team members, who continue to answer their nation’s call to defend our way of life,” said Ihor S. Sawczuk, M.D., FACS, president, Hackensack University Medical Center. “Their sacrifices are essential to the strength of our nation.”
By signing the Statement of Support, Hackensack University Medical Center joins other employers in pledging the following:
We fully recognize, honor and comply with the Uniformed Services Employment and Re-Employment Rights Act (USERRA).
We will provide our managers and supervisors with the tools they need to effectively manage employees who serve in the Guard and Reserve.
We appreciate the values, leadership and unique skills service members bring to the workforce and will encourage opportunities to hire Guardsmen, Reservists and Veterans.
We will continually recognize and support our country’s service members and their families, in peace, in crises and in war.
Hackensack University Medical Center employs more than 40 active duty, reserve, and retired active duty team members.
“We are very proud of our active duty employees and we are here to support them as they serve our country,” said Jason A. Kreitner, FACHE, vice president, senior operations officer, Hackensack University Medical Center, “By signing the Statement of Support, Hackensack University Medical Center is sending a clear message to its employees that while they are serving their country, they do not have to worry about their civilian jobs.”
Hackensack University Medical Center has a long history of supporting U.S. military veterans. The Hackensack Veterans Network, founded in 2013, is comprised of Hackensack University Medical Center team members who are serving, or who have served, in all branches of the U.S. military. The Hackensack Veterans Network provides Hackensack University Medical Center veterans with information, education, and resources, as well as offers its members an opportunity to continue to give back to their community. In addition, Hackensack University Medical Center joined the Hiring our Heroes Program, sponsored by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation in 2014, aimed at helping U.S. Military Veterans and their spouses find employment. Hackensack University Medical Center is also part of the VetFriendly 50,000 Jobs Challenge, sponsored by Veteran Recruiting, which has the goal of helping 50,000 veterans find employment.
In 2017, Hackensack University Medical Center formed a partnership with the United States Army Reserve known as Operation Hackensack S.M.A.R.T. (Strategic Medical Asset Readiness Training). This innovative, first-of-its-kind partnership focuses on high-quality, individualized specialty medical training for service members to improve their knowledge, skillsets and increase soldier readiness. Operation Hackensack S.M.A.R.T. integrates interactive observation training that is specific to the jobs soldiers perform in their military capacity. During the training, soldiers partner with their civilian counterparts at the medical center for 14 days of immersion training utilizing cutting-edge technology, at no additional cost to the government. This program contributes to superior readiness and in-depth training within the medical ranks. It also provides critical knowledge sharing between military and civilian medical professionals about best practices, techniques and procedures to ensure military service members are trained to use the most current technology in today’s rapidly changing health care landscape. In August, Hackensack University Medical Center will welcome the third class of S.M.A.R.T. soldiers who are currently on active duty in Korea and Hawaii.
ESGR seeks to foster a culture where all employers support and value the employment and military service of members of the National Guard and Reserve in the United States. ESGR facilitates and promotes a cooperative culture of employer support for National Guard and Reserve service by developing and advocating mutually beneficial initiatives, recognizing outstanding employer support, increasing awareness of applicable laws and policies, resolving potential conflicts between employers and their service members, and acting as the employers’ principal advocate within the Department of Defense.
About Hackensack Meridian Health Hackensack University Medical Center
Hackensack Meridian Health Hackensack University Medical Center, a 781-bed nonprofit teaching and research hospital located in Bergen County, NJ, is the largest provider of inpatient and outpatient services in the state. Founded in 1888 as the county’s first hospital, it is now part of one of the largest networks in the state comprised of 33,000 team members and more than 6,500 physicians. Hackensack University Medical Center was listed as the number one hospital in New Jersey in U.S. News & World Report’s 2017-18 Best Hospital rankings - maintaining its place atop the NJ rankings since the rating system was introduced. It was also named one of the top four New York Metro Area hospitals. Hackensack University Medical Center is one of only five major academic medical centers in the nation to receive Healthgrades America’s 50 Best Hospitals Award for five or more years in a row. Becker’s Hospital Review recognized Hackensack University Medical Center as one of the 100 Great Hospitals in America 2018. The medical center is one of the top 25 green hospitals in the country according to Practice Greenhealth, and received 25 Gold Seals of Approval™ by The Joint Commission – more than any other hospital in the country. It was the first hospital in New Jersey and second in the nation to become a Magnet® recognized hospital for nursing excellence; receiving its fifth consecutive designation in 2014. Hackensack University Medical Center has created an entire campus of award-winning care, including: the John Theurer Cancer Center; the Heart & Vascular Hospital; and the Sarkis and Siran Gabrellian Women’s and Children’s Pavilion, which houses the Joseph M. Sanzari Children’s Hospital and Donna A. Sanzari Women’s Hospital, which was designed with The Deirdre Imus Environmental Health Center and listed on the Green Guide’s list of Top 10 Green Hospitals in the U.S. Hackensack University Medical Center is the Hometown Hospital of the New York Giants and the New York Red Bulls and is Official Medical Services Provider to The Northern Trust PGA Golf Tournament. It remains committed to its community through fundraising and community events especially the Tackle Kids Cancer Campaign providing much needed research at the Children’s Cancer Institute housed at the Joseph M. Sanzari Children’s Hospital. To learn more, visit www.HackensackUMC.org.