Hiring Our Heroes

Hiring our Heroes Thirty -one-year-old Milton Thornton spent four years as a Ship’s Serviceman in the United States Navy, serving his time aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln and at the naval base in Everett, WA. When he returned to civilian life, finding a meaningful job proved to be more difficult than the Louisiana native had imagined. But thanks to CVS Caremark’s partnership with Hiring our Heroes, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s nationwide initiative to help veterans and military spouses find employment, his experience working in the ship’s store is coming in handy as a clerk/cashier at CVS/pharmacy Store #5681 in Chicago. “Milton has been a great addition to the store. All his colleagues respect him and his work ethic is second to none. I look forward to helping him move his career forward,” says Rich Olinski, store manager. CVS Caremark is a Chairman's Circle sponsor of Hiring our Heroes, and recruits for potential veteran employees at job fairs all across the country. "As a nationwide employer focused on transforming the delivery of health care services, CVS Caremark is committed to providing job opportunities and attractive Milton Thornton career paths for members of the military. We value their experience and training as leaders, innovators and team builders and see many opportunities for veterans to make a seamless transition from the military to a career at CVS Caremark," says David Casey, Vice President, Workforce Strategies and Chief Diversity Officer, CVS Caremark. A veteran of the United States Marine Corps himself, having served in Operation Desert Storm, David adds, "I understand how important it is to have a meaningful career opportunity and to have your transferrable skills recognized by a prospective employer when you return to the civilian workforce after military service." "It's a tough job market right now. I don’t know if I’d be employed if it wasn’t for CVS and Hiring our Heroes,” says Milton. “I have always been an ambitious person but all I needed was an opportunity to show what I am capable of doing. Milton helps a customer at Store I’m excited about my future with the company.” #5681 in Chicago. Submitted by John Larson, Corporate Communications Helping People on Their Path to Better Health - Molly's Story Molly Stelle‐Betman Nurse Practitioner, MinuteClinic Woodridge, IL I love my work as a nurse practitioner and want to excite young students about health care too. I serve as a guest speaker during a two-week summer science camp which exposes students in grades 5 through 8 to the many facets of health care through seminars, field trips, and hands-on activities. The aim is to build their knowledge and raise awareness about the different careers they might pursue. In my Career and Health Professions presentation, I review the history of nurse practitioners, talk about the necessary education and training we undertake, and provide an overview of MinuteClinic’s services. I also teach the students about acute illnesses, and I let them try out some common medical instruments such as an otoscope, stethoscope and blood pressure cuff. At the end of each presentation, students have a better understanding of what it takes to pursue a career in health care. At a time when our country is facing a shortage of primary care providers, I feel good about working for a company that supports career education, inspiring the next generation of care givers to help others on their path to better health. Voices Carry Members of the Shared Leadership Council display the emergency relief kits they assembled for the Rhode Island Red Cross. Shared Leadership Council brings field’s perspective straight to senior MinuteClinic leaders For nearly two years, the Shared Leadership Council, a select group of MinuteClinic’s best and brightest nurse practitioners and physician assistants, has been conveying the views and ideas of the field to senior leaders within the organization. Co-chaired by MinuteClinic President Andy Sussman and Chief Nurse Practitioner Paulette Thabault, the Council fosters an atmosphere of shared governance and empowers practitioners with the ability to speak openly about MinuteClinic practices and policies. “The Shared Leadership Council provides a great format for senior leaders to interact with and engage representatives from the field. Whenever we roll out a new process or improvement, such as our current electronic health records management project called iCARE, their input is essential and often leads to even better results,” says Thabault. The Council, which consists of 16 members, meets with senior leaders four times a year. They also lend their perspective as members of critical senior team committees including, Clinical Operations, Quality, IT Prioritization, Growth and Senior Management. Before they are chosen to serve their three- year term, representatives must apply for the position and be endorsed by their managers. Earlier this month, the group kicked off its meeting with a community service project, as attendees prepared 100 emergency relief kits for the Rhode Island Red Cross. Council members also heard from leaders on some of the most important MinuteClinic programs being rolled out in 2013, including “ICARE”, a new approach to our kiosk and electronic health record system. “It was great to see everybody participating and sharing their thoughts and best practices around clinical operations. The obvious passion the members have for their jobs was inspiring, and helps us to work collaboratively on initiatives that will improve the health outcomes of our patients,” says Meredith Dixon, Vice President of Operations at MinuteClinic. The group left the meeting with lots of useful information, which they were looking forward to sharing with their teams at home. “It is my goal to affirm to my peers that we work for a company that cares about our input, and integrates this as much as possible in the decision making process. This shared governance empowers all of us to grow and succeed as we care for our patients,” says nurse practitioner Kristene Diggins, who also serves as Vice Chair of the Council. Challenge Grant Helps Ensure Veterans’ Legacies Pictured from left: Chris Anderson, former Arizona Congressman Harry Mitchell and Mary Michelle McCarville No matter how many years have passed, veterans never forget their time spent in the military. All who served have a tale to tell, and thanks to the dedication of CVS Caremark pharmacy advisor Mary Michelle McCarville in Scottsdale, AZ, their stories and legacies are being preserved for the benefit of generations to come. Both Mary, and fellow VFW Post 3513 Ladies Auxiliary member Chris Anderson, grew up listening to their fathers’ accounts of military life during World War II and were inspired to provide a forum for other veterans to have their say. The two started the Arizona Veteran Legacy Project as a means for the public to learn how war has impacted the lives of veterans and civilians. In acknowledgement of her dedication to the project, Mary was recently awarded a CVS Caremark Volunteer Challenge Grant to benefit Post 3513. The grant will help defray the costs of video equipment and supplies, and allow Mary to continue her efforts to bring the stories of our military veterans to life. Each veteran is videotaped relaying their story, and once completed, they receive a DVD of the interview as well as a transcript and a photo. The complete package is then submitted to the Library of Congress Veterans History Project for preservation. The transcripts and the video interviews are also archived and available for purchase on Amazon.com. “Too many of our veterans’ live their entire lives without recognition or honor, nor do they seek it. We wish our community to know about these individuals so we may honor them and inspire others,” says Mary. Submitted by John Larson, Corporate Communications Challenge Grant Recipient is Fostering Hope Too many foster kids struggle to gain the life skills they need to start out on their own. Removed from their birth parents because of abuse, neglect, or abandonment, many have endured an emotional roller coaster ride of multiple placements with relatives, foster families or group homes and are in need of a safe haven. That’s where the Sunshine Angels come in. The Angels assist the Sunshine Kids, the more than 220 foster children in the care of Sunshine Residential and Group Homes in Maricopa County, AZ, by providing them with the education, guidance and encouragement they often lack without traditional family support. The nonprofit provides the children with school supplies, clothing, computers, mentoring, summer camp and other recreational opportunities. Vicky Long, Network Analyst, Industry Standards, Systems & Practices in Scottsdale, and her American Legion Post partner with the Sunshine Angels to host the monthly All 4 Success dinner. Each month, foster kids who meet four specific school or personal growth goals are invited to attend the catered dinner, where they also receive a certificate of recognition, and a $10 Wal-Mart gift card. The Post also celebrates holiday, birthday, graduation and other life event parties with the children. In acknowledgement of her dedication, Vicky was recently awarded a CVS Caremark Volunteer Challenge Grant to benefit the Sunshine Kids. The funds will help defray the costs of food and gift cards and allow Vicky and her American Legion Post to continue their efforts to recognize the kids’ milestones and achievements. “We are dedicated to helping these children reach their greatest potential. By providing quality care and love, we hope to instill within them the confidence and self-esteem needed to overcome the obstacles on their journey from foster care to independent living,” says Vicky. I’m helping people on their path to better health.

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