MOSES LAKE - Samaritan Clinic administrator Kevin Dustin was recognized for the clinic's support of employees who are also in military service with an award from the Washington National Guard and Reserve.

The citation, the Patriot Award, was awarded Thursday through the Employer Support for Guard and Reserve organization. Dustin was nominated by Eric Aronson, a physician's assistant who practices at the clinic and is a captain in the Air National Guard. He's in the 194th Medical Support Wing, and its primary job is to continue treatment for Air Force personnel returning from combat zones and active duty, he said. But the unit's second most important task is emergency response, and in that role they can be asked to respond anytime, anywhere, Aronson said.

Leaving with short notice can discombobulate the schedule at a medical facility, where patients are in the mix, he said. "It's critical that I have the support of my colleagues."

Dustin, the medical staff and clinic staff have been "very supportive" of his military service, even with the possibility of schedule issues, Aronson said.

Employers must be nominated for the award by employees, Mike Lehmann, who presented the award, said. National Guard and Reserve participants have a regular training schedule, but the service has become "more dynamic" in an age of war and accompanying responsibilities, he said.

When employees are gone for a while, "somebody has to backfill," Lehmann said, and Samaritan Clinic officials have been willing to do that.

"It's been kind of fun to give these (awards) out," Lehmann said.