Suzanne Gaffney named 2023 Mercy Award Winner
July 12, 2023
Sumner Regional Medical Center recently announced that Suzanne Gaffney has been recognized as the facility’s 2023 Mercy Award winner. The Mercy Award recognizes one employee from each of Lifepoint Health’s facilities 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 that honors 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 Sumner Regional Medical Center, 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 Rod Harkleroad, RN, MMHC, CEO of Sumner Regional Medical Center. “We are extremely proud to recognize Suzanne Gaffney 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 she encounters receives the highest level of care and compassion.”
Suzanne Gaffney has been the Director of Outpatient Rehabilitation Services for 11 years and has worked at Sumner Regional Medical Center for 27 years. She is a leader in our hospital and the community. Suzanne serves on the HAP (Hospital Acquired Pneumonia) prevention team to ensure patient health and safety at Sumner Regional Medical Center.
According to Chad Smith, the Administrative Director of Ancillary Services at Sumner Regional Medical Center, “She is a kind and compassionate leader within the organization who places great emphasis on the care of the patients served.” Suzanne is known to help wherever she is needed whether that be with patient care, ordering supplies, or resolving problems.
Suzanne Gaffney has not only impacted our hospital but the local community. Suzanne helped a local shelter recruit and organize volunteers. She made sure there were hot food items every Friday night for the unhoused population of Sumner County and that everyone had a warm place to stay in the winter months. Suzanne has a servant heart and steps up when she sees someone in need. She has made a difference by embracing the core values of Lifepoint Health.
Each facility winner, including Suzanne Gaffney, will be considered for Lifepoint’s 2023 companywide Mercy Award. The companywide winner will be announced this summer and honored during a ceremony in Nashville, Tenn., in August.