Bon Secours Mercy Health (BSMH) is proud to announce that John Starcher, president and chief executive officer (CEO), has been recognized by Modern Healthcare as one of the 100 Most Influential People in Healthcare in 2025.
This prestigious recognition honors individuals, policymakers and executives deemed by Modern Healthcare to be shaping the future of the industry and among the industry’s most influential figures in terms of leadership and impact.
Modern Healthcare noted several key factors driving this year’s ranking, demonstrating how Starcher’s contributions continue to shape both the ministry and the wider healthcare landscape, including the expansion of BSMH’s footprint through acquisitions, his commitment to innovative partnerships and his focus on technology-enabled care.
Modern Healthcare evaluates nominees based on actions taken to advance organizational goals, improve culture and impact health systems industry wide. Since leading the 2018 merger of Bon Secours and Mercy Health, Starcher has demonstrated his commitment and expertise to driving substantial growth within the ministry while pursuing a global strategy for international expansion.
This year alone, BSMH expanded its reach with the acquisition of 10 urgent care centers in Ohio and Michigan through Mercy Health – Toledo. Starcher also championed partnerships that allow for autonomy and collaboration, including a 10-year agreement with Philips to deploy remote monitoring tools. His commitment to innovation extends to virtual care as BSMH invests in Hellocare.ai and will work alongside Philips to advance their hospital’s smart technology.
Everything BSMH does — in the U.S., Haiti, Ireland, Peru, Philippines or South Sudan—is driven by its core mission: to extend the compassionate ministry of Jesus by improving the health and well-being of communities, especially people who are poor, dying and underserved. Grounded in its values of human dignity, integrity, compassion, stewardship and service, BSMH is a global ministry where associates want to work, clinicians want to practice, people seek wellness and communities thrive.