Mercy Health Announces Down Payment Assistance Program
Initiative will serve as companion project to Fountain Village Development
CLARK and CHAMPAIGN COUNTIES, OH (December 9, 2024) – Mercy Health – Springfield is hoping to recruit more health care providers to live in the communities they serve with a new housing down payment assistance program. The initiative offers home loans to health system employees who buy houses in Clark or Champaign Counties.
“Our goal is to encourage more of our employees to live in the area rather than commute in from outside counties,” explained Mercy Health – Springfield Human Resources Director Megan Douglas.
Through a partnership with Fifth Third Bank, the program provides $10,000 direct-to-home-loans for eligible employees, with an 18-month retention period starting on their closing date. Originally launched over the summer, the program is already showing success.
“The hardest thing was finding the house,” laughed Dr. Mutahher Mohammed, a new primary care physician at Mercy Health – Urbana Family Medicine and Pediatrics and the first person to take advantage of the new housing incentives program. “The process was very easy, and you actually get the benefit of the entire amount they provide versus a typical moving bonus where you get taxed on the amount you receive.”
The program’s launch comes just a year after the announcement of a partnership to develop and build homes on Fountain Avenue north of McCreight Avenue. The property designated for this project was previously occupied by Mercy Hospital for more than 60 years.
“We want to help folks get into the community where they work, whether that be our existing staff or new talent we’re bringing into the area. The goal is to help get them invested and involved, feeling connected to this community, so they can become long term fixtures in the amazing progress we’re making here,” said Mercy Health – Springfield president Adam Groshans during the 2023 announcement of the Fountain Village development.
In addition to housing incentives, Mercy Health offers competitive pay scales, excellent benefits including paid parental leave, as well as continuing education programs to help staff grow their careers without the threat of going into debt. To learn more about career opportunities at Mercy Health, visit www.mercy.com/careers.
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Mercy Health – Springfieldis part of Bon Secours Mercy Health(BSMH) one of the 20 largest health systems in the United States and the fifth-largest Catholic health system in the country. The ministry’s quality, compassionate care is provided by more than 60,000 associates serving communities in Florida, Kentucky, Maryland, New York, Ohio, South Carolina, and Virginia, as well as throughout Ireland. Bon Secours Mercy Health provides care for patients more than 11 million times annually through its network of more than 1,200 care sites, which includes 49 hospitals. In 2023, BSMH provided more than $600 million dollars in community investments across five states, ensuring that cost is not a barrier to health care for our patients in need. Locally, Mercy Health – Springfield, which includes Springfield Regional Medical Center and Urbana Hospital, has a mission to extend the compassionate ministry of Jesus by improving the health and well-being of our communities and bring good help to those in need, especially people who are poor, dying and underserved. Mercy Health – Springfield is a comprehensive, regional health care system, known for quality, innovation, compassionate service, and a caring culture. With two hospitals and numerous physician offices and care locations, Mercy Health ensures easy access to safe, effective, timely and cost-efficient care for every stage of life through a network of hospitals, nursing homes and retirement communities as well as rehabilitation and outreach services. The mission of Bon Secours Mercy Health is to extend the compassionate ministry of Jesus by improving the health and well-being of its communities and bring good help to those in need, especially people who are poor, dying and underserved. Visit mercy.com for additional information.
Contact: Jennifer Robinson
Mercy Health - Springfield Public Relations
(843) 798-1986, jennifer_robinson2@bshsi.org