TAYLORVILLE – Gary Freitag, a security officer with Taylorville Memorial Hospital, is the nonprofit hospital’s Colleague of the Month for July.

A Taylorville resident, Freitag goes beyond the basic responsibilities of his position to ensure great patient care and safety, hospital officials said. “Gary offers help, whether it be getting a wheelchair for a patient or assisting a colleague by carrying something,” said Freitag’s nominator.

Freitag is known for his ability to “wear many hats” at Taylorville Memorial Hospital. “He has gotten up early to pick up donuts for the hospital, grabbed coffee for colleagues who can’t get away from their post and covered [entrance screeners’ stations] if those colleagues need a restroom break,” said Freitag’s nominator.

Freitag joined Taylorville Memorial Hospital in 2017 and views the safety and support of his colleagues and hospital patients and visitors as his top priority – and the best thing about the work he does each day. “My favorite part of my job is the people,” he said.

Freitag has served as a Shriner clown for 26 years.