Mercy of only three large health systems in the nation to earn distinction
- Mercy earned NRC Health's 2026 Excellence in Patient Experience Award, marking its fifth consecutive year receiving the national honor.
- Mercy was one of only three large U.S. health systems to receive the designation in 2026.
- The award is based on patient feedback and willingness to recommend a health system to others.
- More than 1.25 million patient encounters annually contribute feedback through Mercy's partnership with NRC Health.
- Mercy has more than 50,000 caregivers serving patients across hospitals, clinics, urgent care centers and other care settings.
ST. LOUIS, Sept. 1, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Friends tell friends to go to Mercy.
"Patients trust us during some of the most critical moments in their lives - we don't take that responsibility lightly."
For the fifth straight year, Mercy led the way among large American hospital systems by earning the 2026 NRC Health® Excellence in Patient Experience Award. The data-driven honor goes to healthcare facilities recommended by their own patients.
NRC Health, a leader in gathering feedback from patients about their care, recognizes honorees for delivering exceptional care and earning high patient experience ratings. Among U.S. health systems with at least 25 hospitals, Mercy was one of only three to earn the designation in 2026.
"Patients trust us during some of the most critical moments in their lives, and we don't take that responsibility lightly," said Dr. John Mohart, Mercy executive vice president and chief operating officer. "This recognition reflects the compassion, kindness and dedication our caregivers bring to every patient and family, every day. It's rewarding for all of us to know our patients recommend Mercy to their loved ones."
Mercy's 50,000-plus caregivers across hospitals, clinics, urgent cares and other settings work together to center the patient experience on compassion, communication and high-quality care. From the bedside to the front desk, every interaction plays a role in helping patients feel welcomed, informed and cared for with dignity.
"NRC Health's awards recognize organizations that consistently deliver experiences that earn trust, strengthen loyalty and improve healthcare for the people they serve," said Trent Green, NRC Health chief executive officer. "This recognition reflects a sustained commitment to listening, learning and acting on what matters most to patients, consumers, families and care teams. We are honored to celebrate organizations that turn insight into action and set a powerful example for healthcare organizations nationwide."
Top healthcare facilities are selected based on real-time feedback from patients about their care and patients' willingness to recommend an organization to others. One winner is honored in each of the following categories of facilities: small, medium and large health systems; small, medium and large hospitals; pediatric facilities and clinics. Mercy was selected as one of the top large health systems based on patient feedback collected from April 1, 2025, through March 31, 2026. A complete list of winners is available at Awards | NRC Health.
Mercy works closely with NRC Health to gather and respond to feedback, whether patients are in the hospital or seen on an outpatient basis. Mercy also participates in NRC's Transparency program, which shares information from patient surveys of Mercy physicians on mercy.net. Through this collaboration, Mercy receives feedback about their encounters with Mercy services, caregivers and providers from more than 1.25 million patients annually.
About Mercy
Mercy, one of the 15 largest U.S. health systems and named the top large system in the U.S. for excellent patient experience by NRC Health, serves millions annually with nationally recognized care and one of the nation's largest and highest performing Accountable Care Organizations in quality and cost. Mercy is a highly integrated, multi-state healthcare system including 55 acute care and specialty (heart, children's, orthopedic and rehab) hospitals, convenient and urgent care locations, imaging centers and pharmacies. Mercy has over 1,000 physician practice locations and outpatient facilities, more than 5,000 physicians and advanced practitioners and more than 50,000 caregivers serving patients and families across Arkansas, Illinois, Kansas, Missouri and Oklahoma. Mercy also has clinics, outpatient services and outreach ministries in Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas. In fiscal year 2025 alone, Mercy provided more than half a billion dollars of free care and other community benefits, including traditional charity care and unreimbursed Medicaid.
About NRC Health
For more than 45 years, NRC Health (NASDAQ: NRC) has led the charge to humanize healthcare and support organizations in their understanding of each unique individual. Ranked #1 Best in KLAS for Healthcare Experience Management in three of the last four years, NRC Health holds a commitment to Human Understanding that helps leading healthcare systems get to know each person they serve not as point-in-time insights, but in the context of an ongoing relationship. Guided by its uniquely empathic heritage, patient focused approach, unmatched market research, and emphasis on consumer preferences, NRC Health is transforming the healthcare experience and creating strong outcomes for patients and entire healthcare systems.
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