Mercy named top large health system for patient experience for fourth consecutive year

FOX23 News at 9 p.m.

ST. LOUIS, Mo., (KBSI) — Mercy has been recognized for the fourth straight year as the nation’s top large health system for patient experience, earning the Excellence in Patient Experience Award from NRC Health, a national leader in patient satisfaction and healthcare analytics.

The award honors hospitals and health systems that demonstrate an exceptional commitment to improving patient care and overall experience. Mercy was one of only three health systems nationwide to earn the designation in 2025.

“There’s nothing more important than how we care for our patients,” said Dr. John Mohart, Mercy’s executive vice president and chief operating officer. “Of course, our clinical care teams are an enormous part of that care, but so are many others—from food service, pharmacy, environmental services and volunteers who greet patients and their families. Providing an excellent patient experience is in the hands of our entire team, and this honor highlights the work that goes into making it happen.”

Winners were selected based on real-time ratings from patients who indicated whether they would recommend Mercy to others. The data reflects patient feedback collected between April 1, 2024, and March 31, 2025. NRC Health recognizes one winner in each of several categories, including small, medium, and large health systems, hospitals, pediatric facilities, and clinics.

“This year’s Excellence in Patient Experience Award winners have demonstrated an unwavering commitment to listening to patients and their families and improving care in ways that reflect NRC Health’s mission of Human Understanding,” said Helen Hrdy, NRC Health’s chief operating officer. “This achievement highlights the dedication of their entire teams, and we’re proud to celebrate their successes.”

Mercy works with NRC Health to gather and respond to feedback from patients across both inpatient and outpatient settings. Through this partnership, Mercy receives input from more than 1.25 million patients each year and shares physician survey results publicly on Mercy.net as part of NRC’s Transparency program.

About Mercy

Mercy is one of the 15 largest health systems in the United States, serving millions annually across Arkansas, Illinois, Kansas, Missouri, and Oklahoma. The system includes 55 acute care and specialty hospitals, more than 1,000 outpatient and physician practice locations, and a network of over 5,000 physicians and advanced practitioners. In fiscal year 2025, Mercy provided more than $500 million in free care and community benefits, including charity care and unreimbursed Medicaid services.

About NRC Health

For more than 40 years, NRC Health (NASDAQ: NRC) has helped healthcare organizations better understand and engage with patients and communities through its Human Understanding® approach. NRC Health provides data-driven insights and experience management platforms designed to humanize healthcare and improve outcomes.

A full list of award winners is available at We’re amplifying Human Understanding with next-gen AI at NRC Health.