June 4, 2019

Sanford Health recently received multiple honors as an employer for members of the military, including being named a finalist for the Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award.

The award, which represents large and small employers as well as public sector organizations. is the highest recognition given by the Department of Defense to employers for their exceptional support of National Guard and Reserve members.

There were 2,415 nominations for the award for employers throughout 50 states, Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands and the District of Columbia. Thirty finalists were selected, and the 15 employers selected to receive the award will be announced by mid-June.

The Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award has been given to 265 employers since 1996.

On Monday, Sanford also accepted recognition from the South Dakota National Guard, which awarded the health system the South Dakota Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve Pro Patria Award.

The award recognizes the support, through leadership practices and personnel policies, that Sanford gives its employees who serve in the National Guard or Reserve.

“Those of us in health care are asking people to go serve our country and potentially sacrifice more than anything else, than anybody else,” Sanford CEO Kelby Krabbenhoft said, according to a recap of Monday’s event from Sanford.

“And they volunteer to do it. That’s why when they come home I think our industry and our nation should do what Sanford is doing and way beyond in terms of giving them the help they ask for, the help they deserve — and not only for them but also their families.”

Sanford recently announced it would provide differential pay to its employees who are deployed. It also offers scholarships to veterans and other benefits.

“Those are just moments on the journey,” Krabbenhoft said. “Ultimately, when people serve our country, they should be afforded the very, very best in health care.”

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