North Shore-LIJ Provides Nine Employees Back From Active Military Duty with Surprise Holiday Cheer
Health System Pays Employees Total of $182,000 to Close Gap Between their Military Pay and Hospital Salaries US Rep. Gary Ackerman today joined North Shore-LIJ Health System President Michael J. Dowling in paying tribute to nine North Shore-LIJ caregivers who have gone on military leave since the start of the Iraqi war in 2003. At a special holiday luncheon in their honor at The Inn at New Hyde Park today, Mr. Dowling presented employees with checks representing the difference between their military pay and the regular salaries they would have received had they not taken military leave from their jobs at North Shore-LIJ. The checks vary in amount, depending on their positions, salaries and length of military service, but the cumulative total of the checks awarded to the nine veterans/employees was $182,838. Their military pay amounted to about one-third of the salaries they earned at their North Shore-LIJ jobs.
“Military families must make extreme sacrifices when a loved one goes into active service -- one of the most difficult being the adjustment to a vastly decreased paycheck,” said Mr. Dowling. “As the largest employer on Long Island and one of the largest in the City of New York, the North Shore-LIJ Health System decided to do something to ease the burden placed on our employees by rewarding their service during these difficult economic times.”
Since the start of the Iraqi war, 25 employees of the North Shore-LIJ Health System have taken military leaves of absence, leaving their jobs, homes and families to serve their country. About 10 North Shore-LIJ employees are still on active duty. Following are the veterans recognized by Mr. Dowling, the branch of the military where they served and the North Shore-LIJ facility where they currently work:
Contacts: Michelle Pinto/Terry Lynam |
