Cicero selected for Mercy Award
Taryn Cicero, a scheduler at National Park Medical Center, has been recognized as the hospital’s 2021 Mercy Award winner for “profoundly touching the lives of others” through her patience and compassion.
Cicero is often one of the first interactions patients have prior to their hospital admittance.
“I think it makes a difference if they have a good experience with us, that it gives them a good mindset for the rest of their appointment, and for their experience here at the hospital,” she said.
Oftentimes when calling to schedule appointments, patients are nervous and Cicero said she makes it a point to calm them.
“They might be a little tense on the phone, and
so I just try to make light of it,” she said, “and just you know encourage them and get them scheduled as quickly and to their schedule; try to accommodate them as much as possible”
She said she “just enjoys people,” but trials in her personal life is what helps drive her compassion for them.
“This year has been a tough year,” Cicero said. “My dad ended up getting COVID and passing away in March, and then my mom and my handicapped brother, I’m moving them in with me because they can’t be on their own, so there’s just a lot of stuff going on in my life.
“I think (this) does make me be a little bit more compassionate to other people about their nerves and how they’re feeling and stuff, because I can relate to a lot of people who are calling in to schedule different things. Although I don’t go into details with everybody, I can show compassion for them because of everything I’ve been through this year with my family.”
According to an NPMC news release, the Mercy Award recognizes one employee from each of LifePoint Health’s hospitals who profoundly touches the lives of others and best represents the spirit and values on which the company was founded. It’s an annual recognition program established in 2002 to honor 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 National Park Medical Center, we share LifePoint’s commitment to making communities healthier, and we recognize this is supported by the good work and service of our employees on and off the job,” NPMC CEO Scott Smith said in the release. “We are extremely proud to recognize Taryn Cicero for her efforts on behalf of our patients and our community. She goes above and beyond each and every day to ensure that every person she encounters receives the highest level of care and compassion.”
Cicero has worked with the hospital for a year and a half, and was nominated for the award by her supervisor, Gwen Sparks.
“Taryn is an amazing person that always gives back to people,” Sparks wrote in her nomination. “She doesn’t seem to rattle easily when work becomes stressful. She uses her calming voice to reduce anxiety in a very fast-paced environment with high call volumes, especially during a pandemic. She takes time to listen and see what their concerns and needs are and most importantly, follows through to make sure their issues are directed toward a resolution. This is done with a pleasant demeanor that is a positive encounter for not only those she is speaking to, but those working around her.”
Cicero will go to Nashville, Tenn., in August, along with other LifePoint hospital award winners, to be considered for LifePoint’s 2021 companywide Mercy Award.