UNMC and Nebraska Medicine to pledge support for Guard, Reserve

UNMC and Nebraska Medicine will hold a signing event on Friday, Feb. 3, as the university pledges to provide opportunities and recognition for employees who are members of the National Guard and Reserve.

UNMC Chancellor Jeffrey P. Gold, MD, and Nebraska Medicine CEO James Linder, MD, will sign the statement affirming the medical center’s partnership with the U.S. Department of Defense’s Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve and pledging that UNMC and Nebraska Medicine will recognize, honor and build opportunities for service members who are looking to begin their journey into civilian life.

The pledge includes commitments to:

• Recognize and honor the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act;
• Provide managers with the tools they need to effectively manage employees who serve in the Guard and Reserve;
• Appreciate the values, leadership and skills service members bring to the workforce;
• Seek opportunities to hire Guardsmen, Reservists and veterans; and
• Recognize and support the country’s service members and their families in times of peace, crises and war.

Drs. Gold and Linder will sign the pledge at a brief ceremony at 8:30 a.m. Feb. 3 in the Reading Room at the Michael F. Sorrell Center at UNMC.

“UNMC is a proud supporter of both veterans and active members of the Guard and Reserve,” Dr. Gold said. “They bring a unique skillset to any organization, and we are honored to have them be a part of UNMC. I hope this statement of support reassures active and retired members of the Guard and Reserve that UNMC values their contributions to our country and our community.”

“I am exceptionally proud of the service by members of the Nebraska National Guard,” Dr. Linder said. “From deployments overseas to their response to assist evacuated U.S. citizens from Wuhan, the Nebraskans who serve in the Guard have been there. Nebraska Medicine is proud of their service and honored to work with them going forward.”

Joining the ceremony will be Maj. Gen. (Ret.) Rick Evans, executive director of the National Strategic Research Institute and state chairman of the Nebraska ESGR committee.

“Our national security requires the capabilities offered by our Guard and Reserve members and their units,” Gen. Evans said. “Most of those Reserve component members serve part-time and rely on private employment as their main source of income. For that reason, gaining and maintaining the support of the employers of our Guard and Reserve members is very important to the Department of Defense. That’s why ESGR was created over fifty years ago.”

Gen Evans added: “The Statement of Support Program is our most visible program and the cornerstone of our work to find and recognize supportive employers. This event is somewhat unique in that we are combining two employers into one event with the University of Nebraska Medical Center and Nebraska Medicine. We know both are closely linked, and we also know that both are model employers in fully supporting military members, veterans and their families, whether they are working as employees, studying as students or both. 

“This event has a little more meaning for me personally because of the pride I carry in leading an affiliate organization of the University of Nebraska. Here in Nebraska, we set the standard for supporting our Guard and Reserve members and these two fine organizations stand out as leaders in this regard.”

General Motors signed the first statement of support in 1972. Today, more than 3,500 employers nationwide have signed statements of support, including more than 350 in Nebraska.

Also at the Feb. 3 signing will be Ron Boro, ESGR Omaha-area chairman; Randy Amundson, ESGR Lincoln-area chairman; Paul Cohen, ESGR chairman emeritus; Brigadier General Gary Ropers, Nebraska Army National Guard land component commander; and Captain Ed Bosland, Nebraska Army National Guard state family programs director.