We’re putting the spotlight on our winners of the Scott and Nikki Niswonger Servant’s Heart Award, Ballad Health’s highest award. It was created to honor team members, physicians and volunteers who display the heart of a servant by going above and beyond the normal call of duty in helping others at work and in the community.
The award was named in honor of Scott and Nikki Niswonger. Scott is a Greeneville businessman and philanthropist who is the chief benefactor of the Niswonger Children’s Hospital in Johnson City, and a member of the Ballad Health board of directors. The Niswongers have a long history of serving others throughout the region, with a strong focus on education highlighted by the creation of The Niswonger Foundation.
Nominations are also still open for the 2023 Servant’s Heart Awards; to make a nomination, click here.
Jo Ann Clark
Jo Ann Clark, the first and longest-serving volunteer at Smyth County Community Hospital’s cancer infusion center, spearheads the volunteer program through her leadership, recruitment efforts and community relationships to help cancer patients. We applaud her selfless compassion and service with a 2022 Servant’s Heart Award.
Since Jo Ann started in 2017, nearly 10 volunteers have joined in her mission to serve. She’s a leader among the volunteers and builds rapport with everyone who walks through the center’s doors. Many say her uplifting spirit is calming in the face of anxiety.
Families often face extraordinarily tough times at the cancer infusion center, but Jo Ann’s mission is to comfort them. When patients and families need someone to lean on, Jo Ann is always there. When patients finish treatment, they celebrate together. But when families face the unimaginable, Jo Ann makes it a priority to send cards every time loved ones pass away.
Jo Ann’s impact in the cancer center is felt beyond her face-to-face interactions. Some days, she spends hours seeking donations for ‘Blessing Bags’ – a collection of blankets, hats, lotions, snacks and countless items meant to be a reprieve from the difficult road ahead – to give to cancer patients. Because of her dedication and drive, the center had to acquire an extra storage room for donated items.
Jo Ann understands the smallest details and knows going the extra mile makes a difference. We are blessed to have Jo Ann share her gifts and compassion with patients in the infusion center as if they are her own family. Please join us in congratulating Jo Ann on this well-deserved honor!
See profiles on our other Servant’s Heart winners for 2022:
