WVU School of Medicine Charleston Campus, Faculty and Staff recognized for support of the Guard and Reserve

Balancing civilian job responsibilities with military duties is sometimes a struggle for members of the West Virginia National Guard and other Reserve Components.

But Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve, a Department of Defense program, works to help support those service members. The program recognizes employers that support military employees while also providing assistance for service members and their families.

West Virginia University’s School of Medicine Charleston Campus has received the Pro Patria Award for its support to Guard and Reserve employees through their leadership and practices, including adopting personnel policies that make it easier for employees to participate in the National Guard and Reserve. This is the highest level award that may be bestowed by an ESGR State Committee.

ESGR held a ceremony recognizing West Virginia employers that support their Guard and Reserve employees, granting them a series of Department of Defense awards. Some of the employers nominated by Guardsmen include WVU School of Medicine, RMR Delivery, Wirt County Board of Education, Chili’s Grill and Bar, FedEx Ground, Frontier Communication, IBEW Local 466 and others.

ESGR’s Pro Patria Award is presented annually by each ESGR State Committee to one small, one large, and one public sector employer in their state or territory.

Also, Dr. Raheel Khan and Mrs. Tammy Midkiff Koerber of the WVU School of Medicine Charleston Campus Pediatrics Department were awarded the Employer Support of The Guard and Reserve’s prestigious Patriot Award in ceremonies earlier this year in Charleston, W.Va.

“ESGR has served our country for more than 45 years, fostering a culture in which all employers support and value the employment and military service of members of the National Guard and Reserve in the United States,” said Rita McCallister, ESGR volunteer support technician for the 130th Airlift Wing in Charleston. “These citizen warriors could not defend and protect us at home and abroad without the continued promise of meaningful civilian employment for themselves and their families. ESGR has continued to adapt to meet the needs of Reserve Component members, their families and America’s employers by joining forces with a network of other national, state and local government and professional trade organizations.”

Since February of 2020, Dr. Khan and Mrs. Midkiff have supported the military service of their employees, Majs. Neil Copeland and John Bishara, members of the West Virginia National Guard who were activated to State Active Duty supporting the state response to the COVID 19 Pandemic.

“Dr. Khan and Mrs. Midkiff selflessly facilitated our ability to take a hiatus from our primary civilian roles since February to assume our roles in uniform,” stated Copeland. “They picked up the slack, covered extra shifts, and have remained rock-solid in their support of our activations. We were thrilled to nominate them for this award to recognize their sacrifices in helping us meet our military commitments.”

National Guard or Reserve servicemembers, or the spouse of a Guard or Reserve member, may nominate individual supervisors and bosses whose efforts in support of military service go above and beyond. Those nominations are then reviewed by national-level ESGR personnel, and approved nominations receive the Patriot Award.

Both Dr. Khan and Mrs. Midkiff were surprised and honored to receive the award.

"This is a total surprise,” said Khan. “These guys can keep a secret very well! I am humbled and honored. I'm very proud of the services provided by these two physicians in my department. They are doing a very important job while providing great service to the state of West Virginia and the population during the pandemic, especially now with the vaccine distribution. I'm very, very appreciative."

"I came to the ceremony with the understanding that I was bringing Dr. Khan for his award and to surprise him,” stated Midkiff. “So needless to say, I am a little dumbfounded, but I am very pleased and excited and happy to be honored in this way. Both Majs. Copeland and Bishara are absolutely wonderful to work with and it is with great pride that I get to see them share their expertise and have such positive impact for the people of West Virginia while in uniform."

“Our One Guard family could not function nor survive without the tremendous support offered each and every day throughout our state by civilian employers,” said Brig. Gen. William Crane, Adjutant General. “The vast majority of our Guardsmen have civilian occupations and are critical parts of their civilian job teams. When our Soldiers and Airmen train, deploy, or are activated for state response like the COVID-19 pandemic, civilian employers sacrifice too. We hope that every employer knows how very much we appreciate them, and how important they are to our ability to successfully complete our missions both at home and abroad.”

Brig. Gen. William “Bill” Crane, Adjutant General of the West Virginia National Guard, thanked these employers for their continued support of the Guard’s mission despite the continued challenges businesses face because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“You have all faced the challenges with grit, determination and a willingness to succeed,” Crane said. “On top of that, you have supported our National Guard members during one of their most challenging times as well.

“I cannot thank you enough for what you represent to our state and how you support our One Guard family.”

ESGR, a Department of Defense program, was established in 1972 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. The Patriot Award reflects the efforts made to support citizen warriors through a wide range of measures including flexible schedules, time off prior to and after deployment, caring for families, and granting leaves of absence if needed.

For more information about ESGR, visit https://www.esgr.mil.