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Children’s Minnesota recognized as a Beyond the Yellow Ribbon organization

The Minnesota National Guard and Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan officially recognized Children’s Minnesota as a Beyond the Yellow Ribbon (BTYR) organization for its efforts to support the military community at a proclamation ceremony on Thursday, Sept. 26, 2024.

“I am so proud that Children’s Minnesota joins a network of more than 80 companies and organizations in our state that have received the Beyond the Yellow Ribbon status. This achievement is a testament to Children’s Minnesota’s commitment to not only supporting families but also military personnel, veterans, and our entire state. I am grateful to Children’s Minnesota for going above and beyond to support even more Minnesotans,” said Lt. Gov. Flanagan.

Minnesota Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan speaking at Children's Minnesota's Beyond the Yellow Ribbon proclamation ceremony.
Minnesota Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan.

Beyond the Yellow Ribbon’s mission is to establish and sustain a comprehensive community and corporate support network that connects and coordinates agencies, organizations and resources to meet the needs of Minnesota’s military veterans, service members and families in all military branches.

“At Children’s Minnesota, we are profoundly committed to supporting the brave individuals in uniform, as well as their families,” said Dr. Emily Chapman, chief medical officer, senior vice president of medical affairs and executive sponsor of the military and veterans employee resource group (ERG) at Children’s Minnesota. “We acknowledge the unique challenges that military service members, veterans and their families face, and we are dedicated to providing the resources and support they need to thrive. It is an immense privilege to stand alongside them and express our unwavering gratitude for their sacrifices.”

Dr. Emily Chapman speaking at the Beyond the Yellow Ribbon proclamation.
Dr. Emily Chapman, chief medical officer and senior vice president of Medical Affairs at Children's Minnesota.

Maj. Gen. Shawn Manke, Adjutant General of the Minnesota National Guard, welcomed Children’s Minnesota to the BTYR network.

“The commitment of Children’s Minnesota to our military community is invaluable and we appreciate all it does to meet the unique and ever-expanding needs of our veterans, service members and families,” said Army Maj. Gen. Shawn Manke, Minnesota National Guard Adjutant General. “Thank you to Children’s Minnesota for creating a workplace environment and culture that support, recognize, and value military service.”

A steering committee from our military and veterans ERG spent several months developing and submitting an action plan to become a BTYR organization. The action plan details Children’s Minnesota’s commitment in the areas of leadership support, workforce recruiting, training, development and policy, community and employee outreach, and support infrastructure.

The BTYR steering committee from Children’s Minnesota’s Military and Veterans ERG included:

  • Dr. Emily Chapman, executive sponsor.
  • Mark Schumann, steering committee co-chair.
  • Ryan Shiek, steering committee co-chair.
  • Will Hobart.
  • Linda Homme.
  • Ron Jarvi.
  • Jordan Vandervelde.

During the proclamation event, Dr. Marc Gorelick, president and CEO of Children’s Minnesota, also signed an Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) Statement of Support – fulfilling one of the BTYR commitments.

Left to right: Stephanie Hurt, Beyond the Yellow Ribbon; Dr. Marc Gorelick, president and CEO of Children's Minnesota; Dr. Emily Chapman, Chief Medical Officer at Children's Minnesota; Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan; Taylor Kristoffe-Jones, Beyond the Yellow Ribbon; James Burroughs, Chief Equity and Inclusion Officer at Children's Minnesota; Maj. Gen. Shawn Manke, Adjutant General of the Minnesota National Guard; Taunja Moe Forbes, Beyond the Yellow Ribbon.

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