River Parishes Hospital announced Sharonne Gauthier, a registered respiratory therapist, is its 2013 Mercy Award recipient.
Named in honor of LifePoint Hospital’s, River Parishes Hospital’s parent company, founding chairman and CEO, Scott L. Mercy, the award was created in 2002 to recognize one employee who exemplifies the humanitarian spirit upon which LifePoint Hospitals was founded.
This award commends individuals who embrace LifePoint’s High Five guiding principles and consistently go beyond the call of duty in serving patients and the community, demonstrate a level of commitment and caring that transcends the everyday, are respected in everything they do and inspire others with compassion, dedication and a merciful spirit.
Gauthier’s name will now be submitted for consideration for LifePoint Hospitals’ Mercy Award, which is the highest honor an employee can receive from the corporation. Gauthier and a spouse/guest are invited to Nashville in August for a special reception in their honor, as which time the company-wide winner will be revealed.
Gauthier has been employed at River Parishes Hospital for six and half years. She has cared for many patients and has received numerous compliments. Three years ago, Gauthier was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis. When she was first diagnosed, she was out of work for almost seven months, but, through her strong will and determination, she was able to recover. She says she was devastated at first but then decided to raise awareness about the disease and establish a foundation in her name.
Multiple Sclerosis is an unpredictable disease of the central nervous system that affects 400,000 Americans and 2.5 million people worldwide. Gauthier suffers from the least severe and most common form of the disease, relapsing-remitting M.S., which is characterized by clearly defined attacks of worsening neurologic function
that are followed by partial or complete recovery periods. Even with the least severe form of the disease, M.S. patients can potentially pay more than $5,000 a month for
medication, even with medical insurance.
The Sharonne L. Gauthier M.S. Foundation has been in the making since her initial diagnosis in 2010. It was established to build awareness about multiple sclerosis and further education about the disease in the hope of one day finding a cure. She would also like to personally help patients with M.S. pay for their medication. Gauthier sponsored her first event, a brunch fundraiser, in April, which was a huge success.
“My personal fight with this devastating disease has pushed me to be an advocate, ambassador, motivational speaker and volunteer to help find a cure for multiple sclerosis,” said Gauthier. “With the help, encouragement and endless support of my family and friends, we can keep people with M.S. moving.”
Gauthier is known throughout the M.S. community as the “Diva with M.S.” Additionally, Pfizer, a national pharmaceutical company, has reached out to her to serve as an ambassador for M.S. survivors. Gauthier said she wants to be the next Susan B. Komen, a global breast cancer foundation formed in 1982, so, when anyone sees the orange ribbon, they will automatically know it stands for multiple sclerosis.
Gauthier said she is honored, humbled and deeply moved to be selected as the River Parishes Hospital Mercy Award Winner.
“It is my belief that the Mercy Award is a recognition of the true value of altruism, love, compassion and dedication in which I try to practice at my job and in my everyday life,” said Gauthier.
“Hospital-wide, coworkers have watched as Sharonne battles episodes of pain from the disease, but she never throws in the towel and never lets it get her down,” said Kat Trepagnier, human resources drector at River Parishes Hospital. “She is a strong, positive role model for her coworkers and throughout the community.”