Vanessa King, PharmD, MBA, who serves as the Director of Pharmacy at Central Carolina Hospital, has been honored with the Mercy Award for 2025. The award is Lifepoint’s prestigious recognition, named after Scott Mercy, the founding Chairman and CEO of Lifepoint, who passed away while learning to fly an airplane. The award honors those who further the corporation’s mission and exemplify the humanitarian spirit that Lifepoint Health is built upon.
Vanessa was nominated for the Mercy Award by Sarah Rick, Director of Quality, Patient Safety and Risk Management, and Elizabeth “Betsy” Jungkind, BSN, ACM-RN, Director of Case Management. Sarah highlighted Vanessa’s leadership and commitment to patient safety. “Vanessa’s exemplary leadership, commitment to patient safety and ability to creative a positive and empowering work culture significantly enhance the quality of care we provide,” wrote Sarah in her nomination.
Betsy praised Vanessa’s dedication to her role and her enthusiasm. “I have never had the pleasure of seeing anyone truly ‘serve’ as Vanessa does here at Central Carolina Hospital,” she wrote. Betsy described Vanessa as a collaborative leader, noting, “Many of us look to her for leadership guidance and complex problem solving.”
Dave Santoemma, CEO of Central Carolina Hospital, awarded the recognition during a ceremony with Pharmacy Department staff and other directors. As the local recipient, Vanessa will contend for the company-wide Mercy Award. Sixty semi-finalists from Lifepoint facilities will participate in a special event at the corporate headquarters in Nashville, TN, in August, where the overall corporate winner will be announced.
The award seeks to acknowledge one of more than 50,000 Lifepoint employees who has significantly impacted the lives of others and embodies the company’s foundational spirit and values.
