This morning we had the pleasure of surprising this year’s 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. Before announcing the winner, we want to thank those who took the time to submit someone from our facility who continues to go above and beyond the call of duty in serving patients and the community. It has been inspiring to read the stories of selflessness, dedication and compassion.

An anonymous selection committee of peers met earlier this month to select the CMC winner. This year’s winner will be considered for LifePoint’s 2020 companywide award, which will be announced during a ceremony in Nashville in October. All hospital winners will be invited to attended this ceremony. I would like to take a moment to recognize all our nominees. All of whom have a giving heart, exceptional work ethic and make a difference in our community. This year’s nominees were:

• Nicole Daniels
• Elisabeth Davies
• Donna Felz
• Jessie Martin
• Caren Reeves
• Cathy Scholtens

This year’s Community Medical Center Mercy Award winner is…. Cathy Scholtens! Cathy is a pediatric critical care nurse at Community Children’s. Cathy works in our inpatient pediatric unit and our pediatric intensive care unit. She was nominated by fellow employees and medical providers for her relentless dedication to go beyond the call of duty to serve patients and the community. Cathy has been a pediatric nurse on our combined pediatric-PICU unit since 1992, and through the years, her enormous personality has shone brightly on our patients, their families, co-workers and the community.

Cathy not only continually fosters a growth and safety mindset within the walls of the hospital she extends this into the community. Here are a few examples of how she has given back:

• Years ago, we had two brothers who had been admitted dozens of times to our pediatric unit due to congenital pulmonary disease. Both were in need of a lung transplant but the cost was too prohibitive. Cathy was a leader in the many fundraising events that helped enable theseboys and their family to move to Seattle to await their eventually successful transplants.
• She helped a local preschool in need of playground equipment by auctioning off artwork from three and four-year olds (art only a grandparent could love) to fund the purchase.
• She makes homemade, colorful cards and places them in random places around town (bookstores, restaurants, on the sidewalk) telling strangers they are “awesome,” “loved,” “have a great smile.”
• She paints caricature outlet covers and has self-published photography books that she sells online, donating the funds to Missoula Youth Homes and Jadyn Fred Foundation
• Recently she contacted Third Wave, a non-profit organization, to get thousands of N95 masks donated to our facility to protect care givers at CMC.
• When an elderly neighbor was diagnosed with cancer and in need of care assistance, she stepped in to take her to medical appointments, give medication injections, changed dressings and was by her side until her passing.
• And as many of you have personally experienced, Cathy goes out of her way to ensure others get a proper celebration for their achievements.