Highpoint Health with Ascension Saint Thomas recently announced that Melinda Jones, Senior People Services Specialist, has been recognized as the facility’s 2025 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 Highpoint Health, our caring and compassionate team members are at the heart of advancing our mission of making communities healthier – and Melinda Jones is a shining example of this day in and day out,” said Rod Harkleroad, CEO of Highpoint Health. “We are so proud to recognize her many contributions to supporting our employees, hospital operations, and the wider community. I’m grateful for Melinda’s positive influence and the example she sets for all of us.”

Melinda has been with Highpoint Health since August 2000 and has served in various roles within Finance and Human Resources. Known as an “unsung hero,” Melinda is always ready to support coworkers with her time, compassion, and expertise. She ensures payroll is processed accurately, assists leaders and employees with any necessary corrections, and has recently taken on recruitment responsibilities for the Medical Group Services division.

In 2017, Melinda was named the STAR Employee of the Year, a reflection of her dedication, ownership, and positive impact. Outside of work, Melinda and her husband Rocky are devoted members of West End Missionary Baptist Church, where she serves as the church pianist and helps maintain the church grounds. Her commitment to both her professional and personal communities exemplify the values of the Mercy Award.

Each facility winner, including Melinda, will be considered for Lifepoint’s 2025 companywide Mercy Award. The companywide winner will be announced this summer and honored during a ceremony in Nashville, TN., in August.

About Highpoint Health with Ascension Saint Thomas

Highpoint Health is a regional health system dedicated to making communities healthier in Middle Tennessee. It is composed of Highpoint Health – Sumner, a 167-bed hospital in Gallatin; the Highpoint Health – Sumner Station campus in Gallatin; Highpoint Health – Riverview, a 35-bed critical access hospital in Carthage; Highpoint Health – Trousdale, a 25-bed critical access hospital in Hartsville; and in March 2025, Highpoint Health – Winchester and Sewanee (jointly 198 acute and skilled care beds) joined the system as well. Highpoint Health is operated as part of a joint venture between Lifepoint Health and Ascension Saint Thomas. This collaboration brings together the organizations’ clinical excellence, best practices, and talented caregivers to collaborate in new ways that improve access to high quality clinical programs and specialty care for patients and communities. To learn more, visit HighpointHealthSystem.com.