Ryan Jurmu, RN, Named UP Health System – Portage 2025 Mercy Award Winner

UP Health System – Portage (UPHS – Portage) is pleased to announce Ryan Jurmu, RN, director of nursing at PortagePointe, has been recognized as its 2025 Mercy Award winner. The Mercy Award recognizes one employee from each of Lifepoint Health’s facilities who profoundly touches the lives of others and best represents the spirit and values on which the company was founded.

Established in 2001, the Mercy Award is an annual recognition program that honors the life and contributions of Scott Mercy, Lifepoint’s founding chairman and chief executive officer. The award is considered the highest honor a Lifepoint employee can receive.

“At UPHS – Portage, our team members are at the heart of advancing our mission of making communities healthier. This level of compassion and care is exemplified in Ryan Jurmu,” said Ryan Heinonen, CEO of UPHS – Portage. “It's a privilege to work with Ryan; he sets the kind of example we all strive for on a daily basis.”

Ryan's full nomination reads as follows:

Ryan Jurmu is the Director of Nursing at PortagePointe. He has been an integral part of Portage for over 11 years.

Ryan has proven himself to be an extraordinary leader, dedicated to not only improving elder care but also to enhancing the overall success of the organization. His exceptional leadership, service to the community, and commitment to continuous learning make him a standout figure in the healthcare world.

Ryan leads by example, never asking anyone to do a task he would not readily do himself. He is dependable, compassionate, and deeply mindful of the well-being of his team. Through his leadership, he has made a lasting positive impact on both staff and the residents who call PortagePointe home.

Ryan consistently holds himself to the highest standards of excellence and encourages others to do the same. His willingness to step in wherever needed speaks volumes about his character. On two occasions, Ryan performed the Heimlich maneuver, once on a choking elder and once on a nurse. Beyond emergencies, Ryan actively supports our physical therapy team, helping elders with walking exercises. Thanks to his dedication, a resident who arrived non-ambulatory has progressed to walking the halls with assistance — a testament to his dedication and encouragement towards his team.

Beyond his professional achievements, Ryan’s commitment to service extends into his community. He is a passionate volunteer, particularly in the local youth baseball league, where he serves as a coach. When it comes to baseball, he only wants the kids to have as much fun as they possibly can. He does a great job of including every kid that is involved, both on his team and the teams he is playing against. Ryan can also be found volunteering within his church, dedicating hours to his community.

In addition, Ryan is on the CTE advisory committee, where he consistently goes above and beyond to support student learning and engagement. His active participation helps shape health career pathways, and speaks volumes to his commitment to the broader healthcare community.

Ryan embodies the values of leadership, service, and community, and his contributions have truly made a difference at PortagePointe and beyond.

Ryan displays his 2025 Mercy Award, surrounded by family.

Today, we celebrated Ryan and seven other 2025 Mercy Award nominees, who are also deserving of recognition for the hard work and dedication they show each and every day. Please join us in congratulating nominees Jennifer Juntti, Jennifer Sleeman, Emily Pekarske, Nancy Kauppila, Jennifer Heltunen, Frankie Straubel and Natalie Hupp.

Each facility winner, including Ryan, will be considered for Lifepoint’s 2025 companywide Mercy Award. The companywide winner will be announced this summer and honored during a ceremony in Nashville, TN, in August.