Former Valley Health CEO Mark Merrill honored with VHHA Distinguished Service Award

Former Valley Health president and CEO Mark Merrill was honored September  22 with the Virginia Hospital & Healthcare Association’s Distinguished Service Award. The award is presented to a past or current chief executive officer with a “long record of performing outstanding, valuable, and unique services to the hospital and health system community.” Merrill retired in 2020 after a 35-year healthcare career, serving the last 11 years with Valley Health.

“Mark Merrill cares deeply about the health and well-being of Virginians in a way that extends well beyond his work as the past president and CEO of Valley Health System,” said VHHA President and CEO Sean T. Connaughton. “He and his wife, Teri, have planted deep roots in the Winchester community and have served the region by donating their personal time and resources to support young people who aspire to careers in health care. Mark was also essential during the multi-year campaign to help hundreds of thousands of low-income Virginians gain access to essential health care coverage through Medicaid expansion.”

During his 11 years at Valley Health, Merrill led the system to many significant achievements, including:

• completing new facilities or substantial renovations at Valley Health’s six hospital campuses, and expanding ambulatory care sites in the rural region;
• being named 2016 Large Business of the Year in the Greater Good Awards of the Top of Virginia Regional Chamber;
• investing $300,000 in a 3-year health career partnership with 12 Virginia public schools and 4 hospital programs to build the workforce of the future and inspire youth to pursue health careers;
• advocating for Medicaid expansion in Virginia as a VHHA Board member, then chairman when Medicaid expansion was approved by the Virginia General Assembly in 2018;
• and partnering with providers under a variety of arrangements, engaging with legislators and business leaders to share insights from front-line health care, and advocating for VHHA and American Hospital Association policy positions to ensure access to care within Virginia.

Since his retirement, Merrill has continued to serve the commonwealth through his appointment to the Commonwealth Transportation Board, which oversees the roadway infrastructure of Virginia.

Harry Smith, Chairman of the Valley Health Board of Trustees, commented: “Mark is a passionate and dedicated servant leader, with a deep concern for the health and wellbeing of his community. This dedication shows in all he does.”

Merrill was one of two recipients of the Distinguished Service award. The other was James B. Cole, former president and CEO of the Virginia Hospital Center Health System. The award was presented at the VHHA Annual Meeting held last week in Williamsburg, VA.