UHS supervisor received Patriot Award Feb. 27 at UHS Wilson
February 27, 2017
Tom Polhamus, supervisor of Support Services at UHS Hospitals, today will receive a Patriot Award from Employer Support for the Guard and Reserve.
Mr. Polhamus was nominated for the award by one of his employees, Amber George, a patient transport aide at UHS Hospitals, who said Mr. Polhamus has been immensely supportive of her and her husband, Douglas George, who is on active duty with the U.S. Army in Kuwait as part of Operation Inherent Resolve.
The award was presented to Mr. Polhamus by a general from the Army National Guard at 11 a.m., Monday, Feb. 27, in the Harrison Street Lobby at UHS Wilson Medical Center. News media coverage is invited.
"We at UHS are committed to supporting the members of our team who also serve their country as members of the Guard and Reserve," said Matthew J. Salanger, president and chief executive officer of UHS. "And we are proud that Tom Polhamus is being recognized for flexibility in scheduling and the many other ways he has offered support to the Georges while Douglas is on active duty."
The Patriot Award is a high honor for anyone in a management position with a company or organization.
An employee serving in the Guard or Reserve, or the spouse of a Guard or Reserve member, may nominate a manager or supervisor for the support they are providing directly to the nominating service member and his or her family.
The award reflects the efforts employers and company executives make 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.
Employer Support for the Guard and Reserve, a program of the U.S. Department of Defense, was established in 1972 to promote cooperation and understanding between Reserve Component Service members and their civilian employers.
The program is supported by a network of more than 4,500 volunteers across the country.
Currently UHS has two of its employees on active duty with the Army in Afghanistan.