Saint Mary's Names 2026 Mercy Award Winner

Saint Mary’s recently announced that Latricia Crittendon has been recognized as the facility’s 2026 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.

Established in 2001, 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 Saint Mary’s, our caring and compassionate team members are at the heart of advancing our mission of making communities healthier – and Latricia is a shining example of this day in and day out,” said Casey Willis, CEO of Saint Mary’s. “We are so proud to recognize her many contributions to caring for patients, supporting our hospital and serving our community. I’m grateful for Latricia’s positive influence and the example she sets for all of us.”

Latricia, an LPN at Millard-Henry Clinic, consistently provides patients with respect, dignity and compassion. In one powerful example, she recognized a patient in severe emotional distress during a phone call and immediately acted, arranging a wellness check that led to life-saving intervention and care. She also advocated for the patient’s hospitalized husband to ensure appropriate follow-up. The patient later shared that Latricia saved both her life and her husband’s.

Latricia’s dedication, advocacy and compassion exemplify the extraordinary care she provides every day, making a lasting impact on patients, families and her colleagues.

Each facility winner, including Latricia, will be considered for Lifepoint’s 2026 companywide Mercy Award. The companywide winner will be announced this summer and honored during a ceremony in Nashville, Tenn., in September.