ENGLEWOOD, N.J.—Englewood Health’s Emergency Medical Services (EMS) director, Richard Sposa, and assistant director, Michael Geisler, recently received the Patriot Award from the Department of Defense for providing support to Lt. Col. Dennis Castro, a mobile intensive care nurse at Englewood Health.
The Patriot Award recognizes efforts made by supervisors to support National Guard and Reserve Forces service members, such as by providing flexible schedules and granting leaves of absence as needed. Supervisors must be nominated by reserve members, or spouses of guards or reserve members, to be eligible for the award.
“I was honored to receive the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve’s (ESGR) Patriot Award,” Sposa said. “We at Englewood Health EMS proudly support our EMTs, paramedics, and nurses who serve our military, and we’re glad to do whatever we can to make their service a bit easier.”
“I was honored—and, to be honest, humbled—to receive the Patriot Award,” Geisler added. “It’s easy to support a group of individuals who are professional and respectful in every encounter they face. Our EMS department employees who also serve in the National Guard or Reserve Forces make our organization proud every time they put on the Englewood Health uniform and serve our communities. I am happy to provide support for our team to also serve our country.”
In addition to the Patriot Award from ESGR, Castro presented Sposa and Geisler with a framed American flag—one that had accompanied Castro’s crew on aeromedical evacuation missions transporting wounded warriors home following Operation Freedom’s sentinel.
“At times,” Castro said, “balancing civilian life, family life, and a military career can be challenging, but knowing that I have the support of Englewood Health makes it a lot easier.”
