Mercy Health

02/27/2026

Not sure what to bring to urgent care? Let us guide you!

02/26/2026

In our diversity, we find strength, beauty and perspective. In our unity, we find peace, empathy and potential.

During Black History Month, we are honored to shine a light on the fundamentally important contributions Black Americans have made to our country, our culture and our continued growth as a nation. Our Mercy Health — Lorain team celebrated Black History Month with a prayer service and highlighted the lives, work and quotes of several Black Americans throughout history, including those in fields such as health care, academia and other areas of life. The team also celebrated our Black American team members – providers, leaders and staff.

02/25/2026

After a fall left Catherine Weeks with a broken neck, she continued her recovery in the swing bed unit at Mercy Health — Urbana Hospital. We are extremely grateful for these donor-supported rehab services and the top-of-the-line care provided by our Mercy Health team, which have helped Catherine and many like her heal. “The unit couldn’t have been any better,” she says. 💙

After a fall left Catherine Weeks with a broken neck, she faced a difficult and uncertain future. Her injury required surgery to stabilize her neck followed by hospitalization. After a few weeks she was transferred to the swing bed unit at Mercy Health — Urbana Hospital to complete her recovery. Donor gifts to support the swing bed program got her back on her feet.

Swing bed units (sometimes called short-term rehab) are popular with patients who are medically stable but not yet ready to return home. Catherine still needed physical and occupational therapy. She had to be careful moving her neck as it healed.

“The unit itself couldn’t have been any better,” says Catherine. “If I pushed the button, they were there to help me. The people were very professional, but so friendly at the same time. It couldn’t have been any better, really.”

You can support local care that changes lives. Learn how by visiting https://bit.ly/4aLytL1

02/24/2026

Mercy Health brings leading-edge cardiovascular treatment to Cincinnati. We are proud to announce that the Mercy Health — Fairfield Hospital structural heart team successfully performed a Transcatheter Edge-to-Edge Repair procedure for the mitral valve using the newest catheter technology available. This new technology reinforces our commitment to using the most advanced structural heart devices available and to providing the best possible care to our patients.

02/23/2026

We are excited to announce that our Mercy Health – Lorain Hospital Metabolic and Bariatric program has been accredited as a Comprehensive Center by the Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Accreditation and Quality Improvement Program (MBSAQIP). This is the highest level of accreditation provided by MBSAQIP, which is a collaboration of the American College of Surgeons and the American Society of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery.

The accreditation, which lasts through 2028, is the result of a comprehensive onsite review of the program’s structure, processes and clinical outcomes. MBSAQIP accredits inpatient and outpatient bariatric surgery centers in the U.S. and Canada that have undergone an independent, voluntary and rigorous peer evaluation in accordance with nationally recognized bariatric surgical standards.

“I’m proud to be part of a team that helps members of our community achieve their health and wellness goals—not only through life-changing surgical care, but through the ongoing coaching and support that make long-term success possible,” said Dr. Jeffrey Landers, director of Bariatric Surgery.

At Mercy Health — Lorain Weight Management Solutions, the experienced bariatric surgery team helps patients achieve their long-term goals through robotic weight-loss procedures. Robotic surgery is a type of minimally invasive surgery that uses smaller incisions, leading to less pain and scarring and faster recoveries for our surgical weight loss patients.

For more information about Mercy Health — Lorain Weight Management Solutions, visit the link in the comments or call 440-222-4180.

02/23/2026

It's time to break the stereotypes around lung cancer!

02/21/2026

Celebrating excellence at Mercy Health — Fairfield Hospital in Fairfield, Ohio. Our cardiovascular intensive care unit (CVICU) has earned the Beacon Award for Excellence – Silver from the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses. This national recognition honors hospital units that consistently deliver exceptional patient care, strengthen professional practice, and maintain a healthy, collaborative work environment.

This achievement reflects the dedication of our CVICU caregivers, who put patients and families at the center of everything they do. Justin Krueger, president of Mercy Health — Fairfield Hospital, shared that the award highlights the team’s commitment to delivering compassionate, high-quality care each day.

Earning the Beacon Award requires a rigorous review of leadership, staffing, communication, patient outcomes, and commitment to ongoing learning. It also aligns with AACN’s Healthy Work Environment standards, emphasizing respect, teamwork and clinical excellence.

Kim Sebastian, CVICU manager, shared that the recognition affirms the team’s culture of accountability, innovation and teamwork, and motivates them to continue improving care for the community.

The Silver Beacon Award is valid for one year and reflects our ongoing mission to provide patient-centered care rooted in excellence, integrity and compassion.

Congratulations to our incredible CVICU team for this well-deserved honor!

02/20/2026

Our commitment to collaborative, cutting-edge pediatric care just got even stronger! We’re proud to add a new therapy tool known as the “spider cage” at Mercy Health — St. Rita’s Outpatient Pediatric & Adolescent Rehabilitation Center in Lima, Ohio!

This innovative system transforms pediatric physical therapy, occupational therapy and speech therapy by providing a dynamic, supportive environment where children can safely practice movement, build strength and maximize functional abilities. "I have loved using the spider cage to provide support to children who need help to stand," shares Carissa, an occupational therapist.

The adaptable design of the spider cage empowers therapists to target specific muscle groups and supports a wide range of diagnoses, helping kids gain confidence, independence and vital therapy outcomes. "I think the spider cage has been very motivational for my son! He loves jumping and flipping in it," shares a family member about her 5-year-old son with sensory needs.

Carrisa shares, "These children feel so accomplished and are able to use their upper bodies to do activities they wouldn't be able to do without this type of support. My kids, who crave movement, LOVE jumping and flipping in it too."

"I never thought I would be able to buy him shoes to stand in," shared a family member of a 22-month-old patient with a traumatic brain injury. Together, we’re making big strides for little heroes!

02/19/2026

We are proud to celebrate the opening of our newly relocated cardiac rehabilitation space within Mercy Health — Willard Hospital in Willard, Ohio. This move represents more than a change of location; it reflects our continued commitment to growth, innovation and delivering the very best care to our community.

We are fortunate to have the expertise and leadership of Dr. Vigesaa and Dr. Amalfitano, whose oversight of our cardiac rehab patients ensures comprehensive, high-quality care every step of the recovery journey. Their dedication plays a vital role in the success of our program.

This exciting milestone would not have been possible without the incredible support of the Mercy Health Foundation and the generous estate gift from the late Susan Taylor, whose legacy continues to make a lasting impact on the lives of our patients. We are deeply grateful for this support, which helped turn this vision into reality.

Our new space allows us to better serve our patients, welcome more individuals into the program and continue building strong, meaningful relationships that support heart health and healing every day.

Thank you to our dedicated cardiac rehab team, our community and all who made this relocation possible. We are excited for what’s ahead!

02/18/2026

As we begin Lent, we pray this season of holy reflection brings us closer to God and one another. We hope you have a very blessed Ash Wednesday.

02/17/2026

In her 17 years with Mercy Health — Springfield's Heart House, Ariel Sterner, APRN-CNP, never dreamed that one of those patients she would see at their worst would be her husband of 18 years, Ted, who works in quality control for an automaker.

Just one year ago, Ted experienced a heart attack from a severe blockage in his heart’s biggest artery, known as the widow maker. It was 99% blocked at an intersection with another large artery that was 98% blocked.

Following a heart cath performed by Ariel’s coworker, cardiologist Dr. Muhammad Ashraf, cardiovascular surgeon Dr. Michael Siegenthaler performed a quadruple bypass on Ted. Surgery went well, but recovery was a challenge.

Ted had pain issues from his previous back problems and could not breathe deeply, which is key to recovery. In the days following his surgery, he went into congestive heart failure and began taking on what would total 26 pounds in excess fluid.

“I knew heart failure was possible,” says Ariel. “It was a reality I had seen before. But as a mom and wife, my nerves were a constant, every second of the day. It was a terrifying time.”

Amid his post-surgery battle with heart failure, Ted had a birthday, and the Sterners decided to bring in their son and daughter, ages 11 and 13.

“When our kids came in, that was a rough day,” Ted says. “I didn’t think I was ever going to see them again.”

But the care team at Mercy Health — Springfield Regional Medical Center was laser-focused on Ted. They were able to get fluid off and get him moving, and once they relieved the side effects from the congestive heart failure, Ted said it was like night and day.

“The level of care was top-notch, and I had phenomenal nurses. During my 11 days in the hospital, I never worried or questioned my care; I knew I was in good hands,” he says.

He gives all the credit in the world to his smart, savvy wife. “If Ariel weren’t a nurse practitioner, I would have had no idea anything was wrong — and I wouldn’t have gone to the emergency department.”

Has the compassionate care you or a loved one received at Mercy Health made a lasting impact on your life? Visit the link in the comments to share your story with us.

02/16/2026

Unlock a healthier future by exploring your family's health history — early insights mean better care and timely prevention. Jordan McNeil, PA-C, shares what you need to know!