Andalusia Health honored Bobbie Johnson this week with the hospital’s annual Mercy Award.

The award is named after LifePoint Health’s founding Chairman and CEO, Scott Mercy. It recognizes one employee at each hospital who best exemplifies the spirit and values upon which the company was founded, and is the highest honor a LifePoint Health employee can receive.

“I was very, very surprised when I found out Monday I had been nominated and I won,” Johnson said.

She joined Andalusia Health in 2017 and works as a clerk in the materials management area. She also is a registered pharmacy tech, and helps out there when needed. Prior to joining Andalusia Health, she worked as assistant store manager at Rite Aid.

She is also well known in the community as a foster parent. In the six years she’s worked with foster children, she has provided shelter and care for 16 kids.

“ Ms. Johnson has been an approved foster home through Covington County Department of Human Resources since June 201, Natalie Pinson, Resource and Adult Protective Service Supervisor for DHR wrote in a letter of support for Johnson’s nomination. “Being an active foster home for six years, she is one of our oldest foster homes in Covington County. She epitomizes the mission of making her community healthier through touching the lives of 16 children in our county, building relationships with the children’s families, and encouraging other foster parents as they begin their new journey.”

Johnson said when she’s not working, she enjoys antiquing, gardening, and grilling. She and a guest will be invited to travel to attend the Mercy Award Banquet in Nashville where a 2019 LifePoint Mercy Award winner will be selected from all of the hospital winners.

Other local nominees recognized included Pat Pippin, unit clerk in the Birthing Center; Michele Blackburn, RN and house supervisor; and Paula Caraway, RN, Quality Risk Director.