Willamette Valley Medical Center Names 2026 Mercy Award Winner – Shannon Carefoot, MBA, BSN, RN, CCRN, Director of ICU

WVMC is so excited to share that Shannon Carefoot, MBA, BSN, RN, CCRN has been recognized as our 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.

Shannon embodies the true spirit of Inspired by Mission, Driven by Heart. Her influence reaches far beyond her role as Critical Care Director—she has created a culture of compassion, excellence, and human connection that touches patients, families, staff, and the wider community.

Here at work, Shannon is a mentor, a leader, and a tireless advocate. She invests deeply in her team and the greater hospital team by teaching, encouraging, and empowering nurses at every stage of their careers. She champions professional growth through fellowship programs, certifications, and evidence‑based practice, while also contributing nationally through her work with the National Council of State Boards of Nursing. Her presence ensures that nursing excellence is not only achieved but sustained.

What sets Shannon apart is how personally she leads. She meets every ICU patient and family where they are—literally and emotionally—listening, learning, and tailoring care with respect and dignity. Her compassion shines most brightly in moments of vulnerability, such as ensuring cultural traditions are honored at the end of life. Through her leadership, WVMC launched the No One Dies Alone program, ensuring every patient experiences comfort, dignity, and human presence in their final moments.

Shannon’s heart for others extends well beyond hospital walls. She supports literacy, fights isolation through letters and service, assists individuals with visual impairments through Be My Eyes, and has dedicated years to building affordable housing with Habitat for Humanity. She also creates moments of joy—whether through handwritten notes, thoughtful gifts, “birthday boxes” for families facing food insecurity, or simple acts of gratitude that bring teams closer together.

Humble, generous, and endlessly compassionate, Shannon Carefoot inspires everyone around her to lead with empathy, purpose, and heart. We, your team, are so thankful you are here with us. We love you. Congratulations Shannon on being our 2026 Mercy Award Winner.

The companywide winner will be announced this summer and honored during a ceremony in Nashville, Tenn., in August.

Congratulations Shannon!!!