TIFFIN—The seventh annual Catherine McAuley Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to Sara Van Horn Sept. 20 as part of Mercy Tiffin Hospital’s celebration of Mercy Week.

The Catherine McAuley Lifetime Achievement Award is intended to be the most prestigious honor that Mercy Tiffin can bestow on any associate of the hospital. The award is given to individuals who, through a lifetime of services to the hospital, emulate most closely the values of the foundress of the Sisters of Mercy, Catherine McAuley.

Sara Van Horn, center, is Mercy Tiffin Hospital’s Catherine McAuley Lifetime Achievement Award winner. With her are, from left, Charlie Ervin, rural division director of facility support; Dale Thornton, president and CEO; Mary Jane Fox, nutrition services supervisor; and Leah Everett, nutrition services manager. (Photo courtesy of Mercy Tiffin Hospital)

Dale Thornton, Mercy Tiffin president and CEO, opened the ceremony with welcoming remarks and Sister of Mercy Irene Bishop offered the prayer. Ms. Van Horn was presented with a vase etched with the Mercy logo and wooden base with an engraved plaque.

“This year’s recipient of the award, not unlike her predecessors, demonstrates certain character traits that we all admire,” said Mr. Thornton. “This person of mercy and love enriches the lives of all those she touches, including her co-workers, her patients and her family. Sara embodies all the traits an award winner should have and is very deserving of being this year’s winner of the Catherine McAuley Lifetime Achievement Award.”

Ms. Van Horn has been a Mercy Tiffin employee for nearly 30 years. She is the hostess in nutrition services and is responsible for responding to the patients’ meal requests within the “room service” process. She takes her responsibilities of delivering meals to the patients seriously and treats patients with respect, assuring their meals are delivered within 45 minutes of ordering and that the food is to the patient’s liking.

Ms. Van Horn has been known to memorize the patient’s food preferences, likes and dislikes. Patients frequently mention her name on the patient satisfaction surveys with comments such as: “Sara made me feel special,” or “Sara provided excellent service.”

Her caring attitude extends beyond the hospital walls. For many years, she assisted an older lady in the community by running errands for her, grocery shopping and helping her with her banking. Ms. Van Horn continues to visit the lady nearly every week.

Whenever a patient dies, Ms. Van Horn attempts to pay respects at the funeral home or by a sympathy card.

Nominated by Mary Jane Fox, nutrition services supervisor at Mercy Tiffin, Ms. Van Horn is described by co-workers as kind, courteous and caring. Her co-workers enjoy working with Ms. Van Horn and find her to be someone who will work with them and teach them new skills. They agree that Ms. Van Horn displays the Mercy Core Values and extends the Mercy Mission at work and in her life.

Previous winners of the Catherine McAuley Lifetime Achievement include Fahter Richard Dunn, Mary Jane Fox, Prasad Kakarala, Patricia Phillips, Peg Shock and Sandi Best.