Southern Ocean Medical Center Team Member Honored with Department of Defense Patriot Award

Jenna Schaal, MSN, RN-BC, CNML, manager of the Emergency Department of Hackensack Meridian Health Southern Ocean Medical Center, was recently honored with the Patriot Award by Richard Burke, SGM (Ret) – Area Chair New Jersey of the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR). The ESGR is the Defense Department agency that promotes cooperation and understanding between civilian employers and their National Guard and Reserve employees.

The Patriot Award honors supervisors for their exceptional support of National Guard and Reserve employees by presenting them with a public acknowledgement of their support. Nominations come from a National Guard and Reserve member who acknowledges their supervisor’s support in providing flexible schedules, time off prior to and after deployment, caring for families, and granting leaves of absences if needed.

Deirdre McBride, RN, BSN, CEN, of the United States Army Reserves, nominated Ms. Schaal for the Patriot Award. She has been recently deployed overseas. The award was presented during National Nurses Week (May 6 – 12) during the annual awards ceremony.

Hackensack Meridian Health is committed to being a military friendly organization and supports their veterans and active military team members through our Veterans at Hackensack Meridian Health (VAHM) Team Member Resource Group.