About Mercy Research

Mercy has a long history of engaging in clinical trials research and outcome-based research. These roots have helped to develop our health care services for the communities we serve. On July 1, 2016, Mercy pioneered a new model for community health-based research when Mercy Research was formed, consolidating all research activities across Mercy into a stand-alone, not-for-profit entity.

Mercy Research fulfills this mission by offering innovative research strategies in the communities we serve.

Our Vision:  Mercy Research improves healthcare for our patients and communities by offering clinical research studies and exploring solutions to healthcare challenges.

Our Purpose:  Mercy Research is committed to advancing the quality of health care for individuals and communities by being a leader in innovative clinical, scientific and health services research. We will achieve this goal through participation in clinic trials and development of new medical products, medical treatments and delivery systems that transform lives and improve overall community health, in keeping with the mission of mercy to bring the healing ministry of Jesus to life, through compassionate care and exceptional service.

Consider making a donation to help Mercy Research continue the innovative work of clinical research at Mercy.

Areas of Service

Mercy Research is one of the nation’s largest fully integrated, community health system-based research organizations. We are part of Mercy – named one of the top five large U.S. health systems for four consecutive years by IBM Watson Health. Mercy has an extensive regional presence over four states:

The Resources of Mercy

Mercy offers a millions-strong, diverse patient population with single touch-point coordination. Mercy is one of the nation’s most highly integrated, multi-state health care systems, including more than 40 acute care, managed and specialty (heart, children’s, orthopedic and rehab) hospitals, convenient urgent care locations, imaging centers and pharmacies. Mercy has 900 physician practices and outpatient facilities, more than 4,000 Mercy Clinic physicians and advanced practitioners and 40,000-plus co-workers serving patients and families across four states. In addition, Mercy Virtual commercially serve providers and patients from coast to coast.

Organizational Structure

In 2016 Mercy centralized all research activities across our service areas into a stand-alone, not-for-profit entity known as Mercy Research. This type of infrastructure is unusual, especially for community health systems. Consolidating clinical research support across the entire health system allows us to standardize clinical, business and regulatory processes and use shared tools across a broad geography.

This leads to increased compliance and improved risk management. It also increases stewardship by consolidating financials and allowing for better informed and more strategic decision-making. 

Mercy Research was named a Cutting Edge Award winner by the St. Louis Business Journal in 2019 for our innovative centralization of all research activities in a community health system that allows for standardization of clinical, business and regulatory processes and use of shared tools across a broad geography.

Leadership

Mercy Research Senior Leadership

Mercy Research Physician Council

Mercy Research Board of Directors

Keith Starke, MD – Chair, Mercy Senior Vice President - Chief Clinical Officer

Jay Carlson, DO – Mercy Clinical Director Cancer Care Performance Acceleration

Kimberly Creach, MD – Mercy Radiation Oncology

Cherian Karunapuzha, MD – Mercy Neurology

Carla Kurkjian, MD – Mercy Oncology & Hematology

Gregory Ledger, MD – Mercy Chief Medical Officer - Springfield Communities

JoAnne Levy, JD – Vice President, Mercy Research

William Logan, MD – Mercy Neurology

Jill McCart – Vice President, Mercy Accounting

Jacque Richmond, JD – Vice President, Mercy Deputy General Counsel

Will Sistrunk, MD – Mercy Internal Medicine, Infectious Disease

Timothy Yeatman, MD – Executive Medical Director Health Science Center

Staff Support to Mercy Research Board of Directors

Jared Bryson, M.Div., D.Min. – Vice President, Mercy Mission

Melissa Jackson, JD, CHC, CHRC  – Executive Director, Mercy Corporate Compliance

Miranda Lewis – Vice President, Development

Chad Smith, MD – Research Integrity Officer, Mercy Chief Medical Officer - Oklahoma Communities 

Katie Wong, JD – Associate Counsel, Mercy Legal