Ottumwa Regional Health Center Announces Desi McDonough as 2026 Mercy Award Recipient

Ottumwa Regional Health Center (ORHC) is proud to announce that Desi McDonough has been named the hospital’s 2026 Mercy Award recipient, the highest honor bestowed upon a Lifepoint Health employee. This prestigious recognition celebrates individuals who exemplify the compassion, integrity, and service‑minded spirit upon which Lifepoint Health was founded.

Named in memory of Lifepoint Health’s founding Chairman and CEO, Scott Mercy, the Mercy Award recognizes one outstanding employee from each Lifepoint hospital who consistently goes above and beyond in service to patients, families, coworkers, and the community.

Desi embodies these values wholeheartedly and demonstrates them in every aspect of her work at ORHC.

Mercy Award honorees are individuals who: • Go above and beyond in serving patients, families, and the community • Demonstrate a level of commitment and caring that rises far above the everyday • Treat others with respect in all they do • Inspire those around them through compassion, dedication, and a merciful spirit

“Desi lives the Mercy values every single day,” said CEO Richard Bergmann. “Her compassion, her dedication to patients, and her unwavering support for her colleagues make her an extraordinary representative of ORHC and of Lifepoint Health’s mission. This recognition is incredibly well‑deserved.”

Desi’s commitment to exceptional care is evident in every patient’s interaction and in the positive impact she has on her team. Her leadership, kindness, and service‑driven approach reflect the very best of ORHC.

Ottumwa Regional Health Center congratulates Desi McDonough on this remarkable achievement and thanks her for her continued dedication to the patients and families we serve.