Renown honored with Defense Employer Support Freedom Award

Reno-based Renown Health received the U.S. Defense Department’s highest award for its support of the Nevada National Guard and Reserve at a ceremony in the Pentagon in Washington, D.C., on Aug. 25.

Deputy Secretary of Defense Patrick Shanahan presented Dawn Ahner, Renown Health executive vice president and chief administrative officer, with the Freedom Award, a 42-pound bronze eagle trophy that represents the health care company’s commitment to employees serving in the Guard and Reserve. Also presenting the award to Renown was Craig McKinley, national chair of Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve.

Renown was one of only 15 organizations to receive ESGR’s 2017 Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award. More than 3,000 companies and organizations were nominated for this year’s awards. Among the other organizations receiving the 2017 Freedom Award were Boston Scientific Corporation, Comcast NBCUniversal, Johnson & Johnson and the Indianapolis Fire Department.

Renown was nominated for the award by Senior Master Sgt. Jason Farnsworth, who serves with the Nevada Air National Guard 152nd Medical Group. In his civilian career, he manages Renown’s Home Health Care program.

Renown has more than 100 active military and veterans on staff at its facilities and since 2008, the healthcare network has seen 35 fulltime active duty deployments by its employees. The organization provides employees with 15 days of military leave and allows them to use their accrued leave during military service. Additionally, Renown has partnered with the Army’s Partnership for Youth Success Program to help soldiers prepare for careers after leaving the military.