HICKORY, N.C., June 4, 2018 – Frye Regional Medical Center has selected David Asherbraner as the recipient of the hospital’s 2018 Mercy Award. Nominated for his “servant’s heart for helping others.” Asherbraner is Manager of Transport and Asset Management for Frye Regional.

As a Duke LifePoint hospital, Frye can nominate one outstanding employee for the annual award. As Frye’s 2018 recipient, Asherbraner will attend a special awards ceremony in Brentwood, Tennessee, joining the other winners from hospitals from around the U.S.

Asherbraner was nominated for his work in the Hickory community to help those who are homeless and less fortunate. Hickory Soup Kitchen Executive Director Austin Pearce contributed to the nomination by saying, “David is a faithful servant and his integrity, character and work ethic are of the highest quality.” Since 1999, Asherbraner has volunteered at the Soup Kitchen and he is responsible for organizing Frye’s ongoing volunteer day each month. When the soup kitchen is closed on weekends, he has been known to buy food and deliver it to some of the area’s homeless men and women.

His nomination also referenced an individual that Asherbraner encountered and helped this year.

During the winter, Asherbraner began to notice a woman eating a small packet of oatmeal inside the hospital cafeteria during breakfast hours. After seeing her numerous times, he approached her to find out if she needed help. The woman confided in Asherbraner that she was homeless and had been seeking shelter during the bitter cold by sleeping inside stairwells. After learning of her situation, Asherbraner sprang into action, asking some of his fellow employees to help him. Asherbraner found the women a safe place to live and, with the help of his coworkers, purchased and found furniture, clothes and food to help establish for her new home.

“David has a way of quietly working behind the scenes to help others, often contributing his own money, time and resources to make a difference in the lives of the homeless and others who need help in our community,” said Frye CEO Gar Atchison. “David inspires us all. He is an exceptional employee who embodies our mission of making our communities healthier.”

Asherbraner joins 2017 Mercy Award winner Jenny Hubbard, RN, Rehabilitation Services and 2016 winner April Traxler, RN, Frye Heart Center.

About the Mercy Award

Each hospital within LifePoint Health is encouraged to select a Mercy Award recipient to honor an employee who has profoundly touched the lives of others and best represents the spirit and values on which the company was founded. Established in 2002, The Mercy Award memorializes the life of Scott Mercy, LifePoint’s founding chairman and CEO.