DENVER--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

DaVita, a division of DaVita HealthCare Partners Inc. (DVA) and a leading provider of kidney care services, learned today that it has received the prestigious Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award.

Presented annually by the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) arm of the Department of Defense, the Freedom Award recognizes employers for outstanding support of employees who serve in the Guard and Reserve. It is the highest military-friendly award presented by the U.S. government.

We are privileged to have more than 1,700 reservists, members of the Guard, military veterans and military spouses as part of the DaVita community, said Kent Thiry, chairman and CEO of DaVita HealthCare PartnersSM. They make our company and our country stronger and better. Its an honor to support them in every way we can.

The path to the Freedom Award begins with a nomination by either a member of the Guard or a Reservist employed by the nominee, or by a family member acting on the Guard or Reservists behalf. According to the ESGR, Freedom Award recipients demonstrate exceptional support for military employees, including offering flexible schedules, time off prior to and after deployment and leaves of absence if needed.

In addition to those benefits, DaVita supports mobilized military teammates with continued health care coverage, up to $5,000 in financial assistance each year, and options for paid military leave.

Ive never been asked to choose between serving my country through the Air National Guard and serving DaVita, its teammates and patients, said Major Michael Freimann, assistant general counsel at DaVita and judge advocate general (JAG) for the Colorado Air National Guard. I cant imagine working for a more thoughtful, patriotic company.

Nearly 3,000 employers were nominated for a Freedom Award this year. An awards committee composed of senior Department of Defense officials, business leaders and prior honorees selected just 15 companies to receive a 2013 award. DaVita is one of only two Colorado employers to receive the Freedom Award this year.

Since 1996, only 175 employers have received the Freedom Award. Companies can win the Freedom Award only once and must first earn the ESGR Patriot award to be eligible for consideration. DaVita has received six ESGR awards, including two Patriot Awards, two Above and Beyond Awards and a Pro Patria Award.

DaVita also received the 2013 award for Best Military Recruiting Program from ERE Media and was recognized this year with Top 100 Military Friendly Employer and 2013 Top 100 Military Friendly Spouse Employer awards from G.I. Jobs, a Most Valuable Employers award from CivilianJobs.com and a Best for Vets award from Military Times EDGE. To learn more about DaVitas awards and recognition in this area, visit DaVita.com/About/Awards. To learn more about how DaVita supports military members and veterans, visit Careers.DaVita.com/Careers/Military.

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DaVita Receives Freedom Award, U.S. Government’s Highest Military-Friendly Honor for Employers