Technically, St. Tammany Health System’s trademark color is a hue called “burgundy berry.” But on Thursday, it was supplanted by shades of red, white and blue.
During a meeting in the Magnolia Room on main campus, representatives of the Louisiana National Guard presented two health system colleagues – Director of Care Coordination Monique Brewster and Social Worker Supervisor Melissa Johnson – with its Patriot Award, bestowed upon individuals who are especially supportive of team members who are also service members.
Brewster and Johnson were nominated for the award by Guard member and STHS Social Worker Caroline Redman.
“Anything I need, they don’t question it. They just do it,” Redman said. “And that’s allowed me to be the social worker I am.”
In addition to an American flag lapel pin, Brewster and Johnson received certificates recognizing them “for contributing to national security and protecting liberty and freedom by supporting employee participation in America’s National Guard and Reserve Force.”
Among those members of health system leadership in attendance at Thursday’s presentation was STHS President and CEO Joan Coffman, who said:
“This just melts our hearts. There’s so much that goes on here that you don’t see, so many great stories, and it happens every day.”
The Patriotic Employer Award initiative is administered by the Employer Support of the Guard and the Reserve, a program of the U.S. Department of Defense.
It’s not the first time the health system’s patriotism has been honored. In 2021, the health system as a whole was recognized for its support of colleagues who serve, as was Director of Anesthesia and Surgery Chris Connell.