Supporting our veterans: UTSW supervisors honored with Patriot Award
From staff reports
Two UT Southwestern employees received the U.S. Department of Defense’s (DOD) Patriot Award, which recognizes employers that provide outstanding support of staff who are National Guardsmen or Reservists.
Dr. Jason Fish, Ambulatory Quality Officer and Assistant Vice President for Ambulatory Quality, Outcomes, and Performance Improvement; and Adrian White, Director of Ambulatory Safety Outcomes and Performance Improvement, received the award. Dr. Fish is also Associate Professor of Internal Medicine.
Chad Jackman, Sergeant for the Texas Army National Guard and UTSW Safety Outcomes Specialist in Ambulatory Safety Outcomes and Performance Improvement, nominated his supervisors for the award. Sgt. Jackman is a member of a military rapid response team, which means he could be deployed with as few as 18 hours of notice.
“I’ve never worked for such a veteran-friendly organization as UT Southwestern,” said Sgt. Jackman. “My department and supervisors are extremely supportive when I need to take leave for training or when I am called away on assignment at a moment’s notice. They thank me for sacrificing to protect their freedom and tell me to go do what I need to do. They’ve been amazing to work with.”
At the June 28 award ceremony, DOD representative Larry Thompson said he was impressed with UT Southwestern’s support of veterans and service members and their dedication to compliance with the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act of 1994 (USERRA).
“This really should be more about us thanking you than you thanking us,” said Dr. Fish as he accepted his plaque. “For me, supporting our active-duty military staff and veterans is easy and is the right thing to do. We appreciate your sacrifices for our country and for our families.”
As Mr. White accepted his plaque, he gestured toward Sgt. Jackman’s wife and two children. “It is a great honor and privilege to see firsthand the importance of supporting our military service members,” he said. “They sacrifice so much for us, spending time away from their families, for our benefit. The more we can support him, the more time he can spend with his family.”
The support from Sgt. Jackman’s team was evidenced by the enthusiastic attendance of more than 30 Ambulatory Quality colleagues, along with representatives from executive leadership.
