Homestead Village Director of Nursing Receives Patriot Award
Air Force veteran, Jim Astor (right), presented Homestead Village Director of Nursing, Flo Simala (center), with a plaque and an honorary pin for being a Patriotic Employer.
L-R: Doug Motter, Homestead Village President/CEO; Flo Simala, Homestead Village Director of Nursing; Jim Astor, Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) South Central PA Area Chair and Air Force Veteran.
LANCASTER, PA – In a ceremony held on Friday, November 1, Flo Simala, Director of Nursing at Homestead Village, was honored to receive a Patriot Award from the Office of the Secretary of Defense for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve.
She was nominated for the award by Apostles Center staff member, Miranda Burley, who was recently deployed overseas for active service. In her nomination, Miranda wrote, “Over the span of three years, I’ve been called away on short notice to be deployed overseas twice. Homestead Village, and my supervisor, Flo Simala, have provided me with all the tools I need to be prepared as well as accommodating my unique last-minute scheduling needs, proper leave of absence, temporarily holding my part-time position while I’m away on military orders, and being a strong asset to my Air Force career altogether. My success would not be possible without the sacrifices of my employer, and I greatly appreciate their cooperation with my call to serve.” Receiving the award was especially meaningful for Flo, whose father, husband, brothers, uncles, and nephew all served in the military.
The Patriot Award reflects the efforts made to support citizen warriors through a wide range of measures including flexible schedules, time off prior to and after deployment, caring for families, and granting leaves of absence if needed. An employee serving in the National Guard or Reserve, or the spouse of a Guard or Reserve member, may nominate individual supervisors for support provided directly to the nominating Service member and his or her family.
Nestled on 90 tree-lined acres in the heart of Lancaster County, Homestead Village’s mission of “enhancing independence and dignity as together we create a compassionate community,” has provided enhanced senior living options as a Life Plan Community since 1986. For more information, visit www.homesteadvillage.org