Brian Day Appointed as Chief Financial Officer at Mercy, Bringing Two Decades of Expertise
In a significant leadership transition, Mercy has appointed Brian Day as its new Chief Financial Officer (CFO), building on over two decades of dedicated service to the healthcare organization. This appointment, announced on January 5, 2026, marks a pivotal moment for Mercy, which is recognized as one of the largest healthcare systems in the United States.
Brian Day's commitment to healthcare began when he joined Mercy in 2002. Since then, he has displayed exceptional leadership and financial acumen, most recently serving as the Senior Vice President of Financial Operations and Planning. In this pivotal role, he was influential in overseeing Mercy's financial stability across multiple states, collaborating closely with local leadership teams, and spearheading strategic long-term investments that enhance Mercy's capabilities.
"Brian's extensive experience and demonstrated leadership make him the perfect choice for CFO," stated Steve Mackin, President and CEO of Mercy. Mackin emphasized that Day's strategic vision aligns perfectly with Mercy's mission, ensuring that the organization remains financially robust. This strength is essential to delivering high-quality healthcare to the communities served by Mercy.
Throughout his tenure, Day has managed numerous critical initiatives, including major hospital acquisitions and integrations. His expertise also extended to executing over $1 billion in public debt financing, a move that fortifies Mercy's financial standing and improves patient care delivery.
Expressing his enthusiasm for the new role, Day stated, "It is an honor to step into this position and continue supporting Mercy's mission. Our goal is straightforward: to ensure Mercy has the resources necessary to provide excellent care while investing in the communities we serve. By enhancing our services, we can attract more patients who seek high-quality, affordable care."
Day’s journey in education includes a bachelor's degree in business administration with a focus on finance from Truman State University, as well as an MBA from Webster University. Beyond his responsibilities at Mercy, he is actively involved in the community, sitting on the board of Access Academies, a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering education in St. Louis.
His appointment succeeds Cheryl Matejka, Mercy's former Executive Vice President and CFO, who retired after 19 years of service. Matejka played a vital role in strengthening Mercy's financial framework through numerous challenges, including evolving healthcare reimbursements, government regulations, and unprecedented situations such as COVID-19 and supply chain complications.
As one of the fifteen largest healthcare systems in the U.S., Mercy provides care to millions each year with a focus on delivering the highest quality of patient experience. It is a highly integrated system operating 55 acute care and specialty hospitals, numerous urgent care locations, imaging centers, and pharmacies across several states, including Arkansas, Illinois, Kansas, Missouri, and Oklahoma. Furthermore, Mercy extends its outreach through clinics and outpatient services in other states, ensuring access to crucial healthcare services for diverse populations.
In fiscal year 2025 alone, Mercy's commitment to community health was evident as they provided over half a billion dollars in free care and various community benefits, which include traditional charity care and unreimbursed Medicaid services. This exceptional contribution underscores Mercy's dedication to improving health outcomes in the communities they serve.
As Brian Day embarks on this new chapter as CFO, he stands at the forefront of a crucial time in healthcare, tasked with steering Mercy towards a financially stable and visionary future. The healthcare landscape is evolving rapidly, and under Day’s leadership, Mercy is poised to adapt and thrive, continuing to deliver outstanding care for its patients and communities for many years to come.
Brian Day's commitment to healthcare began when he joined Mercy in 2002. Since then, he has displayed exceptional leadership and financial acumen, most recently serving as the Senior Vice President of Financial Operations and Planning. In this pivotal role, he was influential in overseeing Mercy's financial stability across multiple states, collaborating closely with local leadership teams, and spearheading strategic long-term investments that enhance Mercy's capabilities.
"Brian's extensive experience and demonstrated leadership make him the perfect choice for CFO," stated Steve Mackin, President and CEO of Mercy. Mackin emphasized that Day's strategic vision aligns perfectly with Mercy's mission, ensuring that the organization remains financially robust. This strength is essential to delivering high-quality healthcare to the communities served by Mercy.
Throughout his tenure, Day has managed numerous critical initiatives, including major hospital acquisitions and integrations. His expertise also extended to executing over $1 billion in public debt financing, a move that fortifies Mercy's financial standing and improves patient care delivery.
Expressing his enthusiasm for the new role, Day stated, "It is an honor to step into this position and continue supporting Mercy's mission. Our goal is straightforward: to ensure Mercy has the resources necessary to provide excellent care while investing in the communities we serve. By enhancing our services, we can attract more patients who seek high-quality, affordable care."
Day’s journey in education includes a bachelor's degree in business administration with a focus on finance from Truman State University, as well as an MBA from Webster University. Beyond his responsibilities at Mercy, he is actively involved in the community, sitting on the board of Access Academies, a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering education in St. Louis.
His appointment succeeds Cheryl Matejka, Mercy's former Executive Vice President and CFO, who retired after 19 years of service. Matejka played a vital role in strengthening Mercy's financial framework through numerous challenges, including evolving healthcare reimbursements, government regulations, and unprecedented situations such as COVID-19 and supply chain complications.
As one of the fifteen largest healthcare systems in the U.S., Mercy provides care to millions each year with a focus on delivering the highest quality of patient experience. It is a highly integrated system operating 55 acute care and specialty hospitals, numerous urgent care locations, imaging centers, and pharmacies across several states, including Arkansas, Illinois, Kansas, Missouri, and Oklahoma. Furthermore, Mercy extends its outreach through clinics and outpatient services in other states, ensuring access to crucial healthcare services for diverse populations.
In fiscal year 2025 alone, Mercy's commitment to community health was evident as they provided over half a billion dollars in free care and various community benefits, which include traditional charity care and unreimbursed Medicaid services. This exceptional contribution underscores Mercy's dedication to improving health outcomes in the communities they serve.
As Brian Day embarks on this new chapter as CFO, he stands at the forefront of a crucial time in healthcare, tasked with steering Mercy towards a financially stable and visionary future. The healthcare landscape is evolving rapidly, and under Day’s leadership, Mercy is poised to adapt and thrive, continuing to deliver outstanding care for its patients and communities for many years to come.
Topics Health）
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