St. Francis Hospital has announced that Patricia “Pat” Ingram has been recognized as the hospital’s 2017 Mercy Award winner. The Mercy Award recognizes one employee from each of LifePoint Health’s hospitals who profoundly touches the lives of others and best represents the spirit and values on which the company was founded.
 
“At St. Francis, we share LifePoint’s commitment to Making Communities Healthier, and we recognize this is only accomplished through the compassionate care and community service provided by our associates, both on and off the job,” said David Koontz, CEO of St. Francis. “Patricia Ingram – or Chaplain Pat as she’s known here – goes above and beyond every day to ensure that each person she encounters receives the highest level of care and compassion. It is our honor to be able to recognize her with the St. Francis 2017 Mercy Award.”
 
Ingram has worked in Chaplain Services at St. Francis for nearly 10 years as the Administrative Assistant and Clinical Pastoral Education Coordinator. St. Francis’ CPE program is one of only two accredited programs in Georgia outside of Atlanta, and one of just 350 accredited Association of Clinical Pastoral Education centers nationwide.
 
“Pat treats everyone the same, with respect and dignity,” said Don McKelvey, Director of Chaplain Services. “If you ask her a question, you will get a direct answer from someone who speaks the truth in love. With Pat, people know they will get a non-judgmental, caring person who listens attentively.  Her dedication is inspiring.”
 
One of her nominators describes Ingram as the ‘anchor’ in a very busy department where she wears multiple hats. Ingram rounds with the chaplains on a daily basis to help meet the needs of patients and families who may need prayer, encouragement or support.  The staff is on call 24 hours a day to provide spiritual care to those in need.
 
Additionally, Ingram’s passion for “Making Communities Healthier” extends beyond the walls of the hospital. One of the founding members of the House of Heroes, the nonprofit ministry began in her church as a ministry and has now grown to become a national organization. The mission of House of Heroes is to recognize and honor military and public safety veterans and/or their spouses (people who have served the country faithfully and sacrificially) who are disabled, living on a fixed income, or facing other physical/financial challenges. Through service to these individuals, House of Heroes volunteers attempt to express gratitude that can never be adequately expressed in words alone by.
 
In the earliest stages of the program in 2000, Ingram would walk to homes near her church in search of recipients to help. She remains active in the organization, currently serving now as the Board Secretary.
In addition to her work with the House of Heroes, she also serves as the children and youth minister at her church and has been involved in numerous other civic organizations in the community including the March of Dimes, Boy Scouts of America, and Literacy Alliance, among others.  
 
According to all four of her nominators, Ingram is such an inspiration to employees throughout the hospital.  She looks for the good in others, is always positive, and is available to help whenever needed. The love, dedication and support that she provides to patients, families, employees and physicians is something she does – not for recognition – but because of the genuine compassion she has for others.
 
Finally, one nominator summed up her impact, describing Pat as follows:  “She is a good and faithful woman in a storm.”