Organizational Structure & Governance

Focused Leadership. Intentional Governance. Meaningful Impact. 

Bon Secours Mercy Health takes a comprehensive and strategic approach to governance. We’re guided by experienced industry professionals dedicated to corporate accountability, ethical leadership and enterprise risk management. 

Our Organizational Structure 

With a mission-driven, clinically integrated operations structure, we deliver high-quality, compassionate care across our facilities and within our brands in the U.S. and Ireland.  

The ministry’s CEO, John M. Starcher, and President of Clinical Operations, Wael Haidar, MD are supported by our unified leadership team of executives who oversee business ventures, clinical operations, administrative functions and shared services.  

Our structure reflects strong yet agile decision-making and operational efficiency at an executive, state and market level. State presidents influence decisions, drive state-wide growth, optimize clinical operations and foster cross-market collaboration. Together, our leaders drive sustainable progress, expand strategic initiatives and enhance health care access for the communities we serve. 

Our Governance Framework 

The governance model that guides Bon Secours Mercy Health is designed to uphold our mission, ensure accountability and advance excellence in health care.  

  • Bon Secours Mercy Ministries: Provides mission-based oversight and ensures alignment with our Catholic health care ministry values. 
  • Board of Directors: Offers strategic guidance and additional leadership in areas such as acute care, ambulatory services and business-to-business ventures. Executive, Site and Business Leaders: Drive day-to-day operations and implementation of strategic initiatives across our health system. 

This integrated structure enables us to seamlessly connect our various ministries and brands, driving transformative health care for our patients and magnifying value for our partners. 

We are committed to upholding integrity and ethical leadership in every aspect of our work. Our governance teams provide oversight and accountability to ensure our ministry fulfills its mission while advancing Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) initiatives.  

Corporate Governance  

Our governance department plays a vital role in administering and developing the framework that supports governance functions across our health system. This department: 

  • Ensures effective and efficient management of governance interactions, including board and committee meetings 
  • Implements a well-defined governance infrastructure with guidelines, tools and resources that help board members set priorities and make informed decisions 
  • Serves as a resource for system and market boards, board committees and governance staff 

Board Development and Education  

Continuous learning and leadership development for our board members and governance staff are essential to our governance approach. To support this, we offer: 

  • Board spiritual retreats to strengthen our mission-driven leadership 
  • Board strategy sessions to align on vision and priorities 
  • Ongoing governance education to equip leaders with the knowledge and tools to drive impactful decision-making 

Bon Secours Mercy Ministries 

The Catholic Church continues the ministry of Jesus Christ though formal ministries of the Church. The Church designates Bon Secours Mercy Ministries (BSMM) as the sponsor of Bon Secours Mercy Health. As a sponsor, BSMM provides oversight in the name of the Church.   

Members of Bon Secours Mercy Ministries include: 

Sr. Elaine Davia, CBS 
Sr. Patricia A. Eck, CBS — Chair 
Sr. Cheryl Erb, RSM 
Sr. Rose Marie Jasinski, CBS  

Sr. Marie Ryan, CBS 
Colleen Scanlon, RN, JD — Vice Chair 
Rev. Myles N. Sheehan, SJ, MD 
Bernard J. Smith, JD 

Founding Congregations and Global Ministries  

Our three founding congregations are the Sisters of Bon Secours, the Sisters of the Humility of Mary and the Sisters of Mercy. 

Global Ministries supports Bon Secours Mercy Health’s Mission by actively addressing the needs of the poor and vulnerable, primarily in Peru, Haiti and South Sudan. Motivated by our Founding Sisters’ work around the world, Global Ministries seeks to improve health globally, especially for women and children living in marginalized communities. Over the years, Global Ministries has impacted over 20 nations across the globe. 

Board of Directors 

The Bon Secours Mercy Health Board of Directors advises our executive leadership team: 

Katherine A. Arbuckle, CPA 
Sr. Patricia Eck, CBS* — Chair, Bon Secours Mercy Ministries 
Sr. Fran Gorsuch, CBS 
Peter F. Maddox 
Jennifer O’Brien, JD, Chair 
Raja Rajamannar 

Janet B. Reid, PhD, Vice Chair 
Colleen Scanlon, RN, JD — Vice Chair, Bon Secours Mercy Ministries (ex-officio) 
Rev. Myles N. Sheehan, SJ, MD* 
John M. Starcher, Jr. — President & CEO (ex-officio) 
Katherine W. Vestal, PhD 

*Bon Secours Mercy Ministries member serving on the Bon Secours Mercy Health Board