Methodist Healthcare One of Only Six Texas Employers Selected Out of 1,200 to Receive Award in Ceremonies March 24 in Corpus Christi
The Texas Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve has selected Methodist Healthcare as a recipient of its prestigious Pro Patria Award. The award is the highest recognition the state organization may bestow on an employer in acknowledgement of its programs and policies that go above and beyond statutory requirements in supporting their employees serving in the Reserve components. “Pro Patria” is a Latin phrase meaning “for one’s country.”
Methodist Healthcare will be one of six award recipients selected from over 1,200 Texas employers receiving the award in ceremonies March 24 at the Omni Bayfront Towers Hotel in Corpus Christi. Dennis McCarty, assistant secretary of defense for reserve affairs, will present the award.
STORY IDEA
Edward Corum, R.N., 52, a nurse for Methodist Healthcare, has served in the Army Reserves since 2006. Beginning in 2008, he has served as a commander of the 228 Combat Support Hospital at Fort Sam Houston. The group of 230 soldiers is a rapid response team trained to set up a hospital unit of 44 to 84 beds.
“I did not realize how much time serving as company commander would require,” said Corum. “Things would come up unexpectedly for me, and my manager at the hospital always worked with me in adjusting my schedule so that I could fulfill my responsibilities as a diabetes educator and serve the Army.” As commander, Corum had to deal with many issues from the death of a soldier to planning major missions.
“I just know that day in and day out, I can take the time I need because my manager will help me work it out,” he added. “Methodist Healthcare certainly deserves the award. I receive help on every level, from co-workers, my manager and system management in general.”
Corum’s supervisor and her husband even served as Santa and Mrs. Claus for a Christmas event for Corum’s Army Reserve members and their families. “It’s very unusual to have a manager so involved,” he said.
Corum explained that his Reserve duties have helped him develop skills useful in his work as a diabetes educator. “I am much more flexible and I have more insight into my patients and the issues that they may be dealing with personally,” he said.
With advance notice we can arrange for an interview with Corum at a Methodist hospital or at Fort Sam Houston. We also can provide a spokesperson on the award and on how Methodist Healthcare supports employees called to military duty. In addition to flexibility in scheduling work hours, Methodist Healthcare compensates employees when there is a pay difference between their hospital job and the Reserve position.
If you are interested in doing a story, please phone Shirley Wills at 822-2378 or 365-4488(cell) or JoAnn King, 575-0171 or 325-3294 (cell). For media assistance during the weekend, please phone Methodist Hospital, 575-4000, and ask for the public relations representative on call.
For additional story ideas, visit our Web site at SAHealth.com