ANDERSON COUNTY’S LARGEST EMPLOYER, ANMED HEALTH, SIGNS ‘EMPLOYER STATEMENT OF SUPPORT FOR THE GUARD AND RESERVE’

ANDERSON COUNTY, SC -- On Tuesday, April 2, AnMed Health's CEO John Miller demonstrated support for military service members by signing an Employer Support for the Guard and Reserve Statement of Support. Mr. Miller was joined by AnMed Health Vice President of Communications Michael Cunningham, SGT George Case (SC National Guard Employment Advisor) Melissa Garrison (Assistant Employment Advisor for the Upstate) and Angela Stringer (Upstate ESGR Ambassador & Anderson County PIO).

“As Anderson County's largest employer, AnMed Health employs many men and women who serve in the Guard and Reserve,” said CEO John Miller. “By signing this statement of support, we show our appreciation for their service to our country, as well as our ongoing commitment to support them here at home as they do so.“

The ESGR Statement of Support is confirmation that a company recognizes, honors and enforces the Uniformed Services Employment and Re-Employment Rights Act (USERRA).  It not only shows their desire to follow the letter of the law, but also demonstrates their willingness to embrace the heart of USERRA, with an appreciation for the values, leadership and unique skills service members bring to the workforce. Most importantly, it is a company’s pledge to stand proudly with its Guard and Reserve employees, who continue to answer their nation’s call to defend our way of life, recognizing their personal sacrifices are essential to the strength of our nation.

The ESGR Statement of Support confirms AnMed Health’s willingness to join other companies across the nation in pledging:

• We fully recognize, honor and enforce the Uniformed Services Employment and Re-Employment Rights Act (USERRA).
• Our managers and supervisors will have the tools they need to effectively manage those 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.

“By signing this ESGR Statement of Support, AnMed Health joins a cadre of Fortune 500 companies, state and federal agencies and thousands of America’s employers in demonstrating support for our armed forces,” said SC State Chair John B. Green. “AnMed Health is clearly and demonstrably a vital force in their mission to ‘passionately blend the art of caring with the science of medicine to optimize the health of patients, staff and the community’. The ESGR Statement of Support is a ‘boots on the ground’ way to demonstrate that mission to service members who are in their employ and can take comfort that while they are serving their country, they do not have to worry about their civilian jobs.

“Supportive employers like AnMed Health are critical to the strength and readiness of our nation’s Guard and Reserve,” said local ESGR Ambassador Angela Stringer. “As Anderson County's largest employer, with 400 physicians and close to 3,500 employees, AnMed Health’s commitment to their employees serving in the Guard and Reserve is exemplary. AnMed Health serves an eight-county area that covers much of Upstate South Carolina and northeast Georgia and I hope other employers within their scope of influence will follow in their footsteps. Anderson County is fortunate to have employers like AnMed Health, who recognize and honor the job that service members do to protect our way of life.”

Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR), a Department of Defense operational committee, seeks to foster a culture in which 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 DoD.

For more information about ESGR Outreach Programs, or ESGR volunteer opportunities, please call 1-800-336-4590 or visit www.ESGR.mil.

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 * Photo: SGT George Case (SC National Guard Employment Advisor), Melissa Garrison (Assistant Employment Advisor for the Upstate) and Angela Stringer (Upstate ESGR Ambassador & Anderson County PIO) look on as AnMed Health CEO John Miller signs two ESGR Statement of Support for their two individual facilities.