Hendricks Regional Health employee to receive Patriot Award

Marijane Smallwood with Hendricks Regional Health will be awarded the Patriot Award on Tuesday, January 17, 2017 at 11 a.m. at the Avon Immediate Care (8244 East US 36, Avon, IN).

Marijane was nominated by Matthew Spears, the husband of one of her employees, Wendy Spears, because of the understanding and flexibility Marijane offered Wendy during her husband’s out-of-state training and upcoming deployment.

The Patriot Award is an award given by the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve, which is a Department of Defense program that promotes cooperation and understanding between Reserve Component Service members and their/or their spouses’ employers and to assist in the resolution of conflicts arising from an employee’s military commitment. An employee serving in the National Guard or Reserve, or the spouse of a Guard or Reserve member, may nominate individual supervisors and bosses for support provided directly to the nominating Service member and his or her family. The Patriot Award reflects the efforts made to support citizen warriors through a wide-range of measures including flexible schedules, time off prior to and after deployment, caring for families and granting leaves of absence if needed.

Wendy was working 12 hour shifts and as a single parent needed a schedule that would better allow her to take care of her daughter. Marijane worked to accommodate Wendy’s family needs and switched her hours to better allow Wendy to act as a single parent.

The award will be presented by an official from the guard or reserve. Wendy and Matthew Spears will be present.