Mercy Named One of Nation's Most Wired for 21 Years Running

ST. LOUIS - For the 21st consecutive year, Mercy has secured its place among the nation's most technologically advanced health care organizations, earning prestigious Level 9 honors in the CHIME Digital Health Most Wired survey. Of more than 48,000 organizations surveyed, Mercy is one of only 113 to achieve this high-level distinction in both Acute and Ambulatory categories.

While terms like "data" and "AI analytics" have become buzzwords in many industries, at Mercy they are tools to help heal and save lives.

"Whether it's leveraging advanced technology to enhance patient care or pioneering innovations that improve caregiver experience, Mercy's commitment to digital excellence is making a profound impact on the health in the communities we serve," said Scott Richert, Mercy chief information officer. "The 'Most Wired' honor is a testament to the hard work our IT team does behind the scenes to keep Mercy's technology running, ultimately improving the quality of care for our patients."

Mercy ranked above peers in critical categories like analytics and data management, population health, infrastructure and patient engagement. The annual survey, often referred to as a "digital health check," assesses the adoption, integration and impact of technologies in health care organizations at all stages of development, from early-stage adopters to industry leaders.

Mercy has long been a trailblazer in health care technology, being among the first to adopt an integrated electronic health record more than a decade ago. Today, that forward-thinking approach is reflected in an outstanding 99% rating in analytics and data management, a testament to Mercy's ongoing investment in data management tools and leadership in national health care artificial intelligence as demonstrated by Mercy's Chief AI Data and Analytics Officer Byron Yount's membership in the Coalition for Health AI (CHAI)

In the face of escalating challenges like increasing cybersecurity threats, evolving care models, staffing shortages and budget constraints, the urgency for revolutionizing health care through technology continues to grow. CHIME anticipates that advancements in digital health - facilitated by fully interoperable data, artificial intelligence and secure platforms - will significantly transform the landscape of care.

"We are proud to recognize Mercy's exceptional dedication to digital health excellence," said CHIME President and CEO Russ Branzell. "Its pioneering performance in the industry not only inspires other organizations by example but also provides patients around the world with better care."

For more information about the CHIME Digital Health Most Wired program, please click here.

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 health care 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.