The 5 Cardinal Health programs that helped it earn DoD’s Freedom Award
WASHINGTON — Cardinal Health was one of 15 recipients of the 2015 Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award, the highest honor the department gives to employers for support of National Guard and Reserve employees.
"These outstanding employers have not only earned this award, they have earned this nation's gratitude," said Defense Secretary Ash Carter. "I am truly honored to recognize these 15 organizations for their unwavering support of our military men and women and their families. Their accomplishments are a vital piece of our National defense and a high standard toward which all employers of Guard and Reserve members should strive."
Cardinal Health earned the award for a number of reasons, including:
Cardinal Health has launched a Veterans Leadership and Career Development Program to provide resources to all veterans and to educate them about leadership opportunities and career development tools. It includes tools to help veterans identify development opportunities and plan their careers;
Cardinal Health offers a free Veterans Professional Advancement Course for military members seeking employment inside or outside of Cardinal Health;
Cardinal Health has created a Veterans & Military Advocates Employee Resource Group. It includes the Mentoring & Transitioning Team, Volunteerism and Marketing Team, HR/Talent Acquisition Recruiting Team, Communications & Acquisitions Team and Veteran Leadership Program Team. Cardinal Health also has started a Veterans SharePoint site that houses information for service members about veterans-related issues and has assisted other companies in starting military resource groups;
Cardinal Health’s Support the Troops Care Package Event has delivered almost 5,000 care packages and received more than $54,000 in donations. Cardinal Health also has raised $1.6 million for the Wounded Warriors Project; and
Cardinal Health conducts large “Welcome Home” events with other employers to celebrate their employees’ military service and return home from deployments.
The 2015 recipients were selected from 2,960 nominations received from Guardsmen and reservists for going far beyond what federal law requires in support of military employees, officials said.
The Freedom Award was instituted in 1996 under the auspices of DoD’s Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve office to recognize exceptional support from the employer community. In the years since, 205 employers have received the award.
The 2015 recipients will be honored at an Aug. 21 ceremony at the Pentagon.