NC DHHS: Employee Newsletter

Returned safely from Iraq

Reservist Michon Beckwith left behind her friends and coworkers at the State Center for Health Statistics in February 2003 to pull a tour of duty in Iraq. After 17 months of deployment that included duty in Baghdad as a sergeant with the Raleigh-based 805th Military Police Company, she returned to the State Center, and to her old job.

Now, with her encouragement, the Department of Defense is recognizing the State Center for its exemplary support to employees who serve in the military reserve forces.

“They went above and beyond as far as keeping my job for me,” said Beckwith, a 1992 graduate of North Johnston High School and a 1996 graduate of Shaw University. Beckwith was supervisor of interviewers for behavior, risk factor, surveillance system with the center.

So Beckwith had an opportunity on Valentine’s Day to thank her coworkers during the State Center’s annual international luncheon. The whole work section and the state health director turned out as Beckwith presented an “Above and Beyond” certificate to the director of the State Center, Gustavo Fernandez. The certificate now hangs in the Cotton Building.

Fernandez said he and his section are honored, “because only 10 percent of the employers in North Carolina received this award, so it is a select group that contributed to the people serving in the Armed Forces. We are proud of that.”

The certificate reads: Employer Support of the Guard and Reserves presents this Above and Beyond Award to the State Center for Health Statistics, presented on behalf of the men and women of the National Guard and Reserve forces, for outstanding service and continuing support to the national defense.

Beckwith praised her work section. “I will never forget how SCHS encouraged and helped me along the way during my most challenging times,” she said.

During her deployment, she stayed in touch with several coworkers via email, and several pooled together to send her a CD player.

In Iraq, Beckwith’s duties ran the gamut for providing security to convoys and encampments of military personnel, to protecting military personnel in civilian settings.

She traveled Feb. 5 to Concord with her night time supervisor, Virginia King, to pick up the award to present to her work section. She received the award from the North Carolina Committee for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (NC ESGR). Her supervisor, Ziya Gizlice, was not able to accompany her.

The National Committee of Employer Support for the Guard and Reserve was established in 1972 to promote cooperation and understanding between Reserve component members and their civilian employers, to assist in the resolution of conflicts arising from an employee's military commitment, and to promote greater understanding of the importance of America's National Guard and Reserve system to its military defense.

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	The March 2005 newsletter, print version Use this version to print and distribute the newsletter. It is in Adobe Acrobat. If you don't have the Adobe Acrobat Reader, download it for free. Past Issues
	The March 2005 issue, online version.
	Reservist honors boss, coworkers: Reservist Michon Beckwith left behind her friends and coworkers at the State Center for Health Statistics in February 2003 to pull a tour of duty in Iraq. After 17 months of deployment that included duty in Baghdad as a sergeant with the Raleigh-based 805th Military Police Company, she returned to the State Center, and to her old job.	¡Salud y Saludos! Screenings a success; some referred to doctors: A pay-as-you-go health screening effort spearheaded by DHHS Human Resources, Employee Safety and Benefits Section is paying off. Of 95 employees screened in Raleigh Jan. 25-26, three were immediately referred to doctors with identified life-threatening ailments. Several others discovered less severe problems that require medical attention and possible modifications of diet, medication and exercise.
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	NCSD hosts 53rd Mason-Dixon roundball tournament: Ukraine doctors visit Adoption Profile	HIV/AIDS rally in Raleigh:


	Reservist honors boss, coworkers Returned safely from Iraq Reservist Michon Beckwith left behind her friends and coworkers at the State Center for Health Statistics in February 2003 to pull a tour of duty in Iraq. After 17 months of deployment that included duty in Baghdad as a sergeant with the Raleigh-based 805th Military Police Company, she returned to the State Center, and to her old job. Now, with her encouragement, the Department of Defense is recognizing the State Center for its exemplary support to employees who serve in the military reserve forces. “They went above and beyond as far as keeping my job for me,” said Beckwith, a 1992 graduate of North Johnston High School and a 1996 graduate of Shaw University. Beckwith was supervisor of interviewers for behavior, risk factor, surveillance system with the center. So Beckwith had an opportunity on Valentine’s Day to thank her coworkers during the State Center’s annual international luncheon. The whole work section and the state health director turned out as Beckwith presented an “Above and Beyond” certificate to the director of the State Center, Gustavo Fernandez. The certificate now hangs in the Cotton Building. Fernandez said he and his section are honored, “because only 10 percent of the employers in North Carolina received this award, so it is a select group that contributed to the people serving in the Armed Forces. We are proud of that.” The certificate reads: Employer Support of the Guard and Reserves presents this Above and Beyond Award to the State Center for Health Statistics, presented on behalf of the men and women of the National Guard and Reserve forces, for outstanding service and continuing support to the national defense. Beckwith praised her work section. “I will never forget how SCHS encouraged and helped me along the way during my most challenging times,” she said. During her deployment, she stayed in touch with several coworkers via email, and several pooled together to send her a CD player. In Iraq, Beckwith’s duties ran the gamut for providing security to convoys and encampments of military personnel, to protecting military personnel in civilian settings. She traveled Feb. 5 to Concord with her night time supervisor, Virginia King, to pick up the award to present to her work section. She received the award from the North Carolina Committee for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (NC ESGR). Her supervisor, Ziya Gizlice, was not able to accompany her. The National Committee of Employer Support for the Guard and Reserve was established in 1972 to promote cooperation and understanding between Reserve component members and their civilian employers, to assist in the resolution of conflicts arising from an employee's military commitment, and to promote greater understanding of the importance of America's National Guard and Reserve system to its military defense.

	Last Modified: .

The March 2005 newsletter, print version

Past Issues

The March 2005 issue, online version.

Reservist honors boss, coworkers

Returned safely from Iraq