Newswise — Serving our country is a noble mission, but often it comes at a price, literally. Recognizing this, Geisinger Health System recently launched a program that reimburses up to $10,000 of the difference between an employee's salary and their military pay if called to active duty.
According to Richard Merkle, chief human resource officer, the program was inspired by a number of voiced concerns about the financial burden of being called to serve. "We wanted to help, and this program provides a cushion — and peace of mind — when there is a disparity between civilian and military salaries," he said.
The reimbursements are offered when an employee is asked to serve for a long-term period, at least 90 days, whether they remain in the states or are deployed to war zones such as Iraq.
"We have employees ranging from physicians to environmental service workers who have served," noted Merkle, who added that Geisinger currently averages a deployment rate of about 13 to 15 employees each year. "We have had 34 serve in the last three years, out of more than 12,000 employees."
Caroline Pogge, operations director for Pediatric Specialties, learned about the program a month after returning from a recent deployment. Human Resources notified her that she was eligible to participate.
"Many people have a difference in pay when they go on active duty. This program is a generous way for Geisinger to continue to support the military," she said. "The health system has always been very accommodating with my time serving in the military. This is one more way Geisinger takes care of its employees and citizen soldiers."
Pogge is a major with the 411th Civil Affairs Battalion based out of Danbury, Conn., and is currently serving as a company commander. The civil affairs mission is to minimize the interference of civilian and military populations on each other, while also assisting in transitioning civilians and civilian governments to greater independence.
About Geisinger Health SystemFounded in 1915, Geisinger Health System (Danville, Pa.) is one of the nation's largest integrated health services organizations. Serving more than 2 million residents throughout central and northeastern Pennsylvania, the physician-led organization is at the forefront of the country's rapidly emerging electronic health records movement. Geisinger is comprised of two medical center campuses, three hospitals, a 740-member group practice, a not-for-profit health insurance company and the Henry Hood Center for Health Research—dedicated to creating innovative new models for patient care, satisfaction and clinical outcomes. For more information, visit www.geisinger.org
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