Be In The Know
Welcome to the Mercy Newsletter
There are many new faces joining us at Mercy! Over the next few weeks, we will share department descriptions, who is on the team and what they do so we can all learn about each other and how to work together better!
Make sure to get a paid day-off (floating holiday) by working as a volunteer at a Mercy event! Check out the Mercy Calendar for all the opportunities.
Coming up:
- Harpeth Heights Church Food Pantry – June 6
- Lewisburg Fun Fridays – June 6
- Maury Co Drive Thru Baby Shower, June 14
- African American Juneteeth Celebration, June 19
We want to hear from you! What are things you want to know?
Mercy Staff Story
“My husband, daughter and I have been coming to Mercy for mental health services. We are now more connected and healthier because of Mercy. It was hard learning how you were raised was abusive. It’s not easy realizing you are the reason your child is struggling because of your unhealed trauma.
There is no shame is recognizing these behaviors and changing them to being connected and loving. It’s not easy but it’s worth it. You and your family deserve to be your best selves.
Introducing the Mercy Podcast
In our first podcast, we discuss the 5 stages of grief, processing the pain, accepting the loss and adjusting. Our guest is Steven Neely, Mercy Behavioral Health Director.
Meet Triage
Medical Triage
Triage is the mastermind behind the computers and patient phone calls. The triage nurses provide care for patients from the moment they call until they can be evaluated by their provider. The job of the triage nurse is to find the best way to help the patient, whether that be to schedule them to come in later that day or the following day, or to direct them to urgent care or the Emergency Room. They constantly assess and use their nursing skills while remaining patient and understanding with the patient. Problem-solving is one of their key jobs. They use their nursing judgment for situations that may not have a direct protocol to follow. Triage nurses have protocols in place through a program called Clear Triage.
Some nurses are primarily in triage, but at Mercy, most switch between triage and being on the floor as a Team Nurse. This way, they can see patients in both departments. New nurses build up to working in triage as they learn more about Mercy and its operations. Training includes using shared headphones to listen to patient phone calls in real time. This allows them to learn how to handle and direct situations.
Psych Triage
Psych has triage, too! The nurses are responsible for the providers’ phone pool. Once a call comes in, they assess and determine what’s most important. Calls can range from patients needing a medication refill or being educated on taking their medication to something more serious, where a patient may be in a crisis. Parents of kids who use our school-based counselors may call wanting to have their child seen by their provider that day.
Psych’s triage is accessed through the phone tree. Calls can be transferred interdepartmentally depending on the patient’s needs, ensuring Mercy’s integrative model of care is always implemented. Like medical, nurses in psych triage may need to step on the floor to help with clinical needs such as taking a patient’s vitals or an EKG. They work together as a group to ensure every patient is cared for.
Medical Triage
Back row
- Abigail Oglesby, Sheena Duncan, Amanda Leslie, Maneka Loggins
Front row
- Kristin Sweet and Joy Jones
Psych Triage
- Christie Zawacki (Psych Provider), Rosa Kidd, Maneka Loggins, Susan Kokoski and Alex Anliker
Meet the ladies of Human Resources
Kayla Risteen, Shannon Carroll and Dana Moore make up Mercy’s Human Resources Department. Kayla leads the department, Shannon supports administratively and Dana recruits new hires. They each bring unique knowledge from their respective backgrounds. While all are newer to Mercy, the three continue to build a team structure, but know good things are ahead.
Kayla Risteen (left) is the new Human Resources Business Partner. Kayla concentrates on the department’s strategic elements, including process development and optimization of Paycom. Although she assists with some employee relations, she is more involved in interdepartmental relations. Kayla oversees an employee’s journey with Mercy, from a new hire’s first day to conducting their exit interview.
Outside of work, she likes hosting and cooking, playing with her two-year-old son Will and running. You can cheer her on at this year’s Franklin Classic! Kayla is from New Jersey but remained in the South after graduating from the University of Kentucky. She started her career as a registered dietitian before transitioning to operations and leadership. She got an opportunity to assist in HR, where she found her true calling.
Shannon Carroll (middle) is the Human Resources Coordinator. She handles the department’s day-to-day responsibilities, including benefits and onboarding new employees. Shannon leads the Special Events Committee, which plans holidays, events and Casual Fridays. She has been with Mercy for one year.
Born and raised in southern California, Shannon and her husband moved to Tennessee in 2024 in hopes of settling down. They have three adult children, one in southern California, one in northern California and one in Mississippi. She is still building community in her new home in Columbia.
Dana Moore (right) is the new Recruiter. She posts jobs and conducts first-round interviews for positions ranging from front desk to an MD. Once a candidate is selected, she guides them through the pre-employment process, which includes background checks, drug screening and fingerprinting.
Dana has been a talent acquisition and recruiter since 2013. She started her role with Mercy in February. She has two adult children, and her son is getting married this September. Dana is a unicorn! She has lived in Nashville her entire life.
Kayla, Shannon and Dana are dog moms!
- Kayla has Gus, a 100 lb Bernese Mountain Dog
- Shannon has two Toy Golden Doodles, Stanley and Stevie
- Dana has a Presa Canario named Nadia and two mini dachshunds, Jada and Darci
The Advancement Team
Beth Rattray, Director of Marketing is back row left and leads the department. She is in charge of marketing, social media, the website, graphic design and donor development.
Raye McDonald, Director of Events and Outreach is front row left and directs all the fundraising events for Mercy; Golf with Mercy, the Franklin Classic and the Fall Dinner. She helps companies find their best way to sponsor Mercy events and get to know us!
Lisa Frazier, Donor Relations Manager is front center and manages donor needs, Bible Study and tabling events in the health center.
Emily Hoch, Events and Marketing Coordinator is front right. She is the graphic designer of all fundraising event, manages the website for service hours and co-writer of the Mercy newsletter!
Zamir Maze, Marketing Project Assistant is back row right and manages staff bios for the Staff Lounge and attends Health Council meetings. He splits his time with us and facilities.
The team also manages Patient Outreach and Clinical Events.
IT Department
Steve Howard/Director of Information Technology
I take a hands-on leadership approach to drive key initiatives that enhance organizational performance and patient care. I’m currently leading EMR optimization and intranet development projects with a focus on creating seamless digital experiences. My technical background in cybersecurity frameworks and server infrastructure underpins my ability to implement secure, efficient systems.
Fun Fact: I love to fly fish and tie my own flies.
Ryan Anzalone/Technical Support Specialist
My responsibilities include configuring workstations, onboarding new users and offering support for hardware and software such as Windows, Office 365, Teams, eClinicalWorks (eCW), Phreesia and XIMA. I also manage peripheral devices like printers, scanners, phones, security badges, and surveillance systems. I’m currently leading a project to replace all staff security badges across the organization.
Fun Facts: Outside of work, I proudly serve as a volunteer firefighter in Rutherford County.
Rico Ponton/EMR Manager
I oversee eClinicalWorks (eCW) and Healow systems. My core strengths are in clinical workflow design, user training and system configuration. I also do eCW onboarding training for new hires and send out regular Tips & Tricks communications to support ongoing staff education. I’m also continuing to build my expertise in behavioral health/physical health integration and billing functionality.
Fun Facts: I love to Scuba Dive and I love Photography.
