Sarah Winfield, manager of surgical services at Olympic Medical Center, was presented with the Patriot Award at the Board of Commissioners meeting on Nov. 2.

The Patriot Award is presented by the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) – an office of the Department of Defense – and recognizes a supervisor who supports a Service member.

Winfield was nominated by former OMC employee Solomon Jeancharles, Petty Officer First Class in the U.S. Navy Reserve.

“I’m honored to be part of an organization that actively supports the commitment of our service members and military,” Winfield said.  “The recognition that I received should really extend to the whole Surgical Services team.  When Solomon was deployed to go out on the Mercy Ship, during the height of COVID, we all joined together to send him off, stay connected as we were able and to welcome him home.  It truly was an honor.” 

The award was especially meaningful for Winfield, as she has a son-in-law in the U.S. Air Force. Winfield has worked for OMC for nearly seven years.

In his nomination of Winfield, Jeancharles wrote, in part, “I cannot be any more grateful for her support, her understanding, and the respect shown by the whole staff for my service to this country.”

Phil Sanders, Washington State Chair of the ESGR, presented Winfield with the award.

According to the ESGR website, “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.”