At a ceremony held at Vaughan Regional Medical (VRMC) center on Thursday afternoon, Jennifer Tolbert was named this year’s recipient of VRMC’s Mercy Award.
According to VRMC CEO David McCormack, The Mercy Award is synonymous with an employee of the year award.
The award, named after the late founding chairman and CEO of VRMC parent company LifePoint Health, Scott Mercy, recognizes individuals who excel not only in their duties at the hospital, but outside of it as well.
Tolbert, Regulatory Compliance and patient Safety Officer at VRMC, is also a dedicated volunteer with Wannabe Rescued, a local non-profit organization dedicated to helping homeless and abandoned animals. Tolbert not only volunteers at the shelter, but also brings animals into her home.
McCormack commended Tolbert on her selfless and caring demeanor at Thursday’s award ceremony.
“Everything Jennifer does is to serve others,” said McCormack. “Nothing she does is for herself.”
VRMC Human Resources Director Dionne Williams also added how deserving of the Mercy Award Tolbert is.
“She just has that humanitarian spirit,” said Williams. “She exemplifies all the qualities that make someone deserving of this award.”
Tolbert was honored to be the recipient, but she remained humble during the presentation.
“I’m really honored,” she said. “I’m so happy to have been chosen.”
Tolbert combined her love of animal s with her love of patient service to bring in VRMC’s first ever therapy dog.
The therapy dog, Rottenweiler, comes in and makes the day of everyone at the hospital. Not only the patients, but the hospital employees as well.
“She just comes in and puts a smile on everyone’s face,” said Tolbert. “When people are having a bad day they can just stop and pet her and just feel that stress go away.”