'A Rare Gift for a Supervisor': Service Leader Honored for Supporting Deployed Nurse

Becky Jizba, MSN, MBA, RN, is as passionate about serving her country as she is caring for others.

She was a lieutenant in the U.S. Navy Reserve from 2013 to 2017, using her nursing skills to lead and train a unit of about 30.

“I always wanted to serve my country,” said Jizba, whose grandfather and brother served in the Navy. “Being a nurse in the armed forces is very fulfilling because you get to not only help patients, but also help mold a whole team of people to be excellent health care providers.”

On Friday, she was honored for her behind-the-scenes support of the military.

Jizba, the service leader for Methodist Hospital’s Acute Care for Elders (ACE) Unit, was presented the Patriot Award by the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) group. She was nominated by 1st Lt. Sarah Holst, BSN, RN, a nurse in the Army Reserve who is currently deployed.

In her nomination, Holst wrote: “My supervisor has always made being in the Army Reserve easy for me in regard to my civilian employment. Not once have I had to worry about getting time off, even last minute. … She always said, ‘Don’t worry. We’ll get it taken care of.’ … Becky has always been very supportive of everything I do with the Army. I can’t begin to say how much I appreciate her and how much stress she takes off me because she makes it easy for me to make it to my Army commitments.”

Holst shared more about her relationship with Jizba.

“She can honestly say she gets it. She has been in my shoes,” Holst said. “She truly understands the balancing act of having both a civilian and military career.”

She added: “I'm really thankful to be working for Methodist. I'm lucky to have such a supportive workplace.”

More than a dozen colleagues were on hand Friday as Jizba was presented the award by ESGR volunteers Lou Wagner, James L. Murphy and Ron Strawn.

“You are a rare gift for a supervisor,” Wagner told Jizba. “Rare supervisors come from rare companies, so I applaud Methodist as well for the spirit you’re allowed to manage in.”

According to the ESGR, 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.

Chelsea Craig, BSN, RN, service leader for the Methodist Hospital and Methodist Women’s Hospital Emergency Departments, was previously honored with the award.

Jizba, who choked up at times during the presentation, said she is humbled by the honor.

“Serving our country at the same time as having a civilian job, I want to make sure our people feel supported,” she said. “I believe in protecting our nation and also being able to give health care to our sailors and soldiers.”