St. Francis-Emory Healthcare recently announced that Vanessia Rodriguez has been recognized as the hospital’s 2020 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. The Mercy Award is an annual recognition program established in 2002 to honor the life and contributions of Scott Mercy, LifePoint’s founding chairman and chief executive officer. The award is considered the highest honor a LifePoint employee can receive. 

“At St. Francis, we share LifePoint’s commitment to making communities healthier, and we recognize this is supported by the good work and service of our employees on and off the job,” said Melody Trimble, CEO of St. Francis. “We are extremely proud to recognize Vanessia for her efforts on behalf of our patients and our community. She goes above and beyond each and every day to ensure that every person he/she encounters receives the highest level of care and compassion.” 

Since 2006, Vanessia has been a part of the St. Francis family. The words to describe her were amazing, motivated, and a ray of sunshine. She is a leader in championing for new initiatives due to her wisdom and trust from leadership and peers. Her commitment to Making Communities Healthier extends out of the practice by constantly thinking of her patients and team members. Her ability to connect with every patient allows for their anxiety to be eased, and being there for patients every step of the way is one of the many reasons she is the 2020 Mercy Award winner.

Each hospital winner, including Vanessia, will be considered for LifePoint’s 2020 company-wide Mercy Award. The company--wide winner will be announced during a virtual ceremony.  LifePoint will also publish their annual Mercy Awards book, featuring stories of the inspiring acts of compassion and kindness our honorees are doing in their communities and around the country.