Mercy Health Cincinnati Names Ken James East Market President and CEO

James assumed the role on September 25 and reports to David Fikse, Chief Operating Officer of Mercy Health - Cincinnati.

“Ken is an experienced healthcare leader with more than 23 years of healthcare experience and seven years as an CEO. We are glad he joined us. In his time with Mercy Health, he has proven to be a great asset to the East Market,” said Dave Fikse, COO of Mercy Health – Cincinnati.

James came to Mercy Health in December 2016 to serve as President of Mercy Health - Clermont Hospital and has served as Interim East Market President and CEO since June of this year.

Before joining Mercy Health, James served as CEO of Harton Hospital in Tullahoma, Tennessee. Previously, he was Market Chief Executive Officer of Missouri’s Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center, which is located across three campuses and has eight rural health clinics. He also served as Chief Executive Officer, Chief Operating Officer and Associate Administrator of Twin Rivers Regional Medical Center, located in Kennett, MO.

James began his career as a radiologic technology instructor before moving into the management of a wide array of hospital departments, including the cath lab, admitting, medical imaging and the stress and sleep labs.

He has a bachelor’s degree in radiology from the University of Louisiana-Monroe and a master’s degree in industrial/organization management from Louisiana Tech University in Ruston, LA.

He and his wife Marilyn have two sons.