Lifepoint Health®, a diversified healthcare delivery network dedicated to making communities healthier, has named Jackie Mcelyea of Frye Regional Medical Center in Hickory, North Carolina, the recipient of its 2025 companywide Mercy Award. Mcelyea, a facilities services technician, was honored for the dedicated support he provides for patients and colleagues, for exemplifying servant leadership and for his continued commitment to serving his community.

Lifepoint’s companywide Mercy Award is given annually to one of nearly 55,000 Lifepoint employees who has profoundly impacted the lives of others and embodies the spirit and values upon which the company was founded. It was established in 2001 to honor the life and legacy of the late Scott Mercy, Lifepoint’s founding chairman and chief executive officer (CEO), and is the highest honor a Lifepoint employee can receive.

“Jackie’s integrity and dedication to giving back to his community are truly inspiring,” said David Dill, chairman and CEO of Lifepoint Health. “His determination, selflessness and deeply caring nature make him an outstanding representative of Scott Mercy’s legacy and a deserving recipient of this incredible honor.”

At Frye Regional Medical Center, Mcelyea has become a great asset and is considered a reliable go-to resource in countless situations. In his role, he brings more than 30 years of experience in industrial maintenance, technical mastery and an unmatched work ethic. But perhaps most importantly, he leads with kindness and sets a strong example for others, demonstrating service above self through actions both big and small.

“Whether it is a weekend equipment failure or an emergency during a holiday, Jackie steps forward without hesitation,” says Frye Regional Medical Center CEO Philip Greene, MD. “He is

often the first to arrive and the last to leave, making sure everything and everyone is safe. It makes me proud to have someone on our team who is so selfless and willing to give back, and I am thrilled for him to receive this well-deserved honor.”

With 25 years of experience as a firefighter, Mcelyea also serves as assistant fire chief for Valmead Fire Department in Caldwell County. Mcelyea helped keep the greater community safe in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene while ensuring the hospital could remain open during a critical time. With downed trees knocking out power everywhere in the region, Mcelyea secured backup power systems for the hospital and helped manage other storm-related damage. He ensured patient care could continue when everything else seemed uncertain, and his team worked steadily under his unfaltering leadership.

Mcelyea’s compassion is also evident in his role as a foster parent. He and his partner, Tiffany, welcome displaced children into a safe, loving home, giving them much-needed stability. They have taken in children ranging from newborns to teenagers, and several years ago, the couple adopted one of their foster children.

Mcelyea was formally recognized during a special awards celebration in Nashville on August 27.

Watch Jackie’s story.

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