Employees of the Vaughan Regional Medical Center held a banquet Tuesday to honor the recipient of the Mercy Award, recognizing the hospital’s employee of the year.

This year’s winner of the award was Shirley Thompson, a 30-year veteran who works in housekeeping and environmental services. She received the award out of an average of 550 to 600 employees.

“This means so much to me to be here, to work here,” Thompson said. “I just thank God every day that the people that I serve truly love me, just like I love them.”

David McCormack, CEO of Vaughan Regional Hospital, said Thompson was deserving of the award.

“She brings so much joy and love into everybody’s lives and we want to keep her here forever,” McCormack said. “Her mission is not to just keep this place spotless but also to minister to the patients. And she sees these patients as her family.”

McCormack said when he first started in his position at the hospital, Thompson was one of the first people to meet him and talk to him.

“Shirley was one of the first people that I met when I started here … and she welcomed me to this hospital,” McCormack said. “I look forward to seeing her every day, she’s such a joy.”

McCormack said on her days off, Thompson will still come up to the hospital and visit with the patients and even just sit and watch TV with them to give them company.

“Shirley is on a mission,” McCormack said.

“This is her ministry here. Shirley is not just here to keep this place spotless.”

McCormack said that although he knows her job is a hard one, she always does it with a smile on her face.

“She always has a kind word. She never complains, and I know that her job is difficult and I know that it’s very stressful, but she never, ever complains,” McCormack said.

“She goes above and beyond. I love being with her every day, she brightens my day, she brightens everybody else’s day.”