CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Atrium Health has been recognized on the 2021 Forbes list of Best Employers for Veterans as the only North Carolina-based healthcare organization to make the list.
Currently, more than 1,400 veterans and active military teammates are employed by Atrium Health.
“Atrium Health knows that military service members provide innovative leadership and professional expertise that positively impact our patients, their families and the communities we serve,” said Jim Dunn, enterprise executive vice president and chief people and culture officer for Atrium Health. “We are honored to be named among the best employers for veterans.”
Both Forbes and Statista selected the America’s Best Employers for Veterans 2021 based on an independent study completed by over 5,000 U.S. veterans working for companies employing at least 1,000 people within the U.S.
Officials say participants in the study were asked to give their opinion on a series of statements related to general topics regarding their own employer including what the work atmosphere is like, salary and wages, image, working conditions, diversity, and more.
The Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) has also awarded Atrium Health with an Extraordinary Employer Support Award, which recognizes the sustained employer support of National Guard and Reserve service.
Established in 1972, officials say ESGR is a Department of Defense program intended to promote cooperation and understanding between Reserve Component Service members and their civilian employers, and to assist in the resolution of conflicts arising from an employee’s military commitment.
Officials say only prior recipients of the Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award, that have demonstrated sustained support for three years after receiving the award, are eligible for consideration at the committee level (such as Atrium Health).
Atrium Health President and CEO Eugene Woods was also recognized by the Office of the Secretary of Defense with the Patriot Award for supporting employee participation in America’s National Guard and Reserve Forces.
Officials say the Patriot Award is given to employers that show efforts to support National Guard or Reserve members through a wide range of measures, including flexible schedules, time off prior to and after deployment, and caring for families and granting leaves of absence if needed.
In addition, Dr. David Callaway, chief of crisis operations, sustainability, and operational and disaster medicine for Atrium Health, was named Veteran of the Year by Veteran’s Bridge Home at its Carolina Veterans Day Festival at Truist Field on Thursday.
Callaway is a veteran of the U.S. Navy and was recognized for his exemplary, continued service and sacrifice to the community this past year.
“We are grateful for Dr. Callaway’s leadership and selfless service during one of the most trying periods in our country’s history,” said Blake Bourne, executive director for Veterans Bridge Home. “From the ‘Million Mask Initiative’ to the public-private partnership to distribute vaccines to the establishment of a task force to welcome Afghan arrivals – he has impacted our community in incredible ways. We are all grateful and stronger because of him.”
As part of its annual Veteran’s Day Celebration, Woods recognized Atrium Health’s veterans and active military teammates across the enterprise.
Atrium Health teammates, patients, and their families also sent more than 285,000 hand-written card to military service members around the world as another part of its annual tradition to honor veterans.