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North Shore-LIJ Health System employees who look military leaves of absence were recently given checks to fill the salary gap between what they made working for the health system and what they now make while serving in the military.
“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 health system President Michael J. 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.”
During a recent luncheon, which was attended by Congressmember Gary Ackerman, North Shore-LIJ presented checks to nine different employees who had taken military leaves of absence. The total amount given was $182,838.
Those honored include two individuals from Queens. They were Woodhaven resident Jenny Saul and Bellerose resident Anthony Edwards, both of whom have been serving in the army. Saul worked at Schneider Children’s Hospital and Edwards at North Shore University Hospital.
The other employees who received checks were Douglas Foy, Maxine Smith, Nelson Martinez, Paul Cannava, John D’Angelo, Gary Davis and Natalie Synnott.
In total, 25 of the health system’s employees have taken a military leave of absence since the war in Iraq began. There are still approximately 10 who remain on active duty.