Memorial Medical Center Names 2023 Mercy Award Winner

Memorial Medical Center recently announced that Danny Villagrana has been recognized as the facility’s 2023 Mercy Award winner. The Mercy Award recognizes one employee from each of Lifepoint Health’s facilities who profoundly touches the lives of others and best represents the spirit and values on which the company was founded.

Danny has been an integral part of Memorial’s Safety & Security team for 27 years. Through all of his interactions and contributions MMC’s healthcare facilities and community, Danny truly personifies the word “duty.” When asked why he has worked at Memorial for all these years, Danny simply stated that “I love my job, I love the people I work with, and this hospital has treated me and my family well.”

The Mercy Award is an annual recognition program that honors 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 Memorial 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,” said John Harris, CEO of Memorial Medical Center. “Without Danny and the rest of our Safety & Security team, we would not have the opportunity to provide high quality care, talented medical providers and cutting-edge procedures to our community. It’s no understatement to say that Danny’s level of commitment to public service is at a level that one rarely sees.”

In addition to his excellence in service at MMC, Danny recently concluded his tenure as a Patrol Deputy for the Town of Mesilla Marshal’s Department. Prior to that, Danny proudly served as a Doña Ana County Sheriff’s Deputy for 28 years. And before he clocks in on the hospital campus for his evening shifts, Danny helps families say proper and meaningful goodbyes to loved ones in his role with Baca’s Funeral Chapels.

“He does everything with a warm smile and knows everyone’s name,” a fellow team member wrote in Danny’s nomination. “He is never about Danny. He is about safety, doing the right thing and making sure the staff is taken care of.”

To Danny, the only things more important than keeping Memorial Medical Center and community safe are his faith and the love for his family. Danny has cared selflessly and compassionately for his wife, in particular, as she has struggled with health challenges over the years.

Each facility winner, including Danny, will be considered for Lifepoint’s 2023 companywide Mercy Award. The companywide winner will be announced this summer and honored during a ceremony in Nashville, Tenn., in August.