Valley View Medical Center Names 2026 Mercy Award Winner

FORT MOHAVE, AZ (June 2, 2026) Valley View Medical Center (VVMC) recently announced that Mary Ann King, RN, has been recognized as the VVMC 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 Valley View Medical Center, our caring and compassionate team members are at the heart of advancing our mission of making communities healthier – and Mary Ann is a shining example of this day in and day out,” said Marcia Patterson, CEO of VVMC. “We are so proud to recognize her many contributions to caring for patients, supporting our hospital, and serving our community. I’m grateful for Mary Ann’s positive influence and the example she sets for all of us.”

 King serves as the hospital’s Infection Preventionist and Quality Coordinator. She was selected for the award based on her proactive commitment to patient safety and her history of stepping into clinical areas during high-volume periods, such as assisting the Emergency Department team during patient surges. Her professional work is defined by a strong focus on quality improvement and a collaborative spirit that fosters a culture of excellence within the facility.

 Her contributions extend significantly into patient advocacy and community service. King manages the hospital’s clothing closet for patients in need and has personally funded meals and clothing for those experiencing homelessness upon discharge. Additionally, she supports the facility's Comfort Quilt program for end-of-life care and leads the planning and coordination for annual Nurses Week celebrations. Her dedication to the organization is further evidenced by her active membership on seven different hospital committees, including Patient Safety and Quality, Emergency Preparedness, and Workplace Violence.

 Outside of the hospital, King has led employee donation drives for the Mohave County Animal Shelter for the past four years and volunteers with the Arizona Game and Fish Department to maintain public access to state lands.

 Mary Ann King will be considered for Lifepoint’s 2026 company-wide Mercy Award. The company-wide winner will be announced this summer and honored during a ceremony in Nashville, Tenn., in September.