Emory Saint Joseph’s Hospital patient educator Sister of Mercy Peggy Fannon has been named a Georgia Hospital Association (GHA) G.R.E.A.T. Ambassador. The program, which stands for Giving Recognition for Excellence, Advocacy, and Teamwork, celebrates the commitment hospital employees bring to their job, community and to the Georgia health care industry.

Sister of Mercy Peggy Fannon’s work at Emory Saint Joseph Hospital was recently honored by the Georgia Health Association. She has served patients in different roles for nearly 40 years at the Atlanta hospital.

Sister Fannon was selected for the honor after submitting a personal essay explaining why she chose the health care profession and also sharing some of her experiences at Emory Saint Joseph’s. She actively encourages and mentors peers, builds morale and participates in shared governance through her service on councils and unit-based committees to improve patient care through evidence-based practice.

Emory Saint Joseph’s, Atlanta’s first hospital, was opened in 1880 by the Sisters of Mercy with a mission to care for the sick with dignity, respect and compassion. Sister Fannon is one of four remaining Sisters of Mercy working at the hospital. A certified diabetes educator, she teaches patients about their disease and how to cope with it. She’s worked at the hospital for some 40 years, as a charge nurse in the pediatric unit, with burn patients, and also in the areas of oncology and neuro/vascular plastic surgery.