Linda Koonce, RN, MBA, DHA has been appointed to Vice President for Quality and Patient Safety for Mercy Memorial Hospital System.

With nearly 30 years of health care experience, Koonce previously held the role of Executive Director of Quality and Patient Safety. Prior to working at MMHS, Koonce held a variety of leadership roles in quality and safety at several hospitals in the St. John Health System. She also has experience in case management, critical care and medical review of cases at Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan.

Koonce, who began her career in quality and safety after her work as an ICU nurse at Harper Hospital in Detroit, said her career blossomed from that point.

“I like being an advocate for the patient,” she said.  “People don’t necessarily look at quality as we do, which is closely monitoring processes and breaking them down to find out the hindrances.  Then, we put back together the processes and together we can change the culture of safety.  If everyone keeps patient safety top of mind, there will always be a better outcome for the patient.”

Koonce has a Doctorate in Health Administration from the University of Phoenix, an MBA in Strategic Management from Davenport University, and a bachelor’s degree from Detroit College of Business.  She obtained an associate’s degree in Nursing from Macomb County Community College.  Koonce is also a certified Michigan Quality Council Examiner.

“Since Linda has been with us, she has demonstrated outstanding leadership and expertise in quality, safety, and performance improvement,” said MMHS President and CEO Annette Phillips, FACHE. “Linda’s leadership will greatly enhance our current and future quality and safety initiatives.”

Mercy Memorial Hospital System is an integrated health care provider that offers a broad range of inpatient and outpatient services. Our network of care begins at Mercy Memorial Hospital and extends to Macomb Pharmacy, the Hospice of Monroe, HomeCare Connection, Home Respiratory Care, the Nursing Center, outpatient rehabilitation, outreach labs and a collection of primary and specialty physician offices.

Quality and patient safety are hallmarks of Mercy Memorial Hospital System’s mission. A national leader in the treatment of heart attack, congestive heart failure, pneumonia and surgical care, Mercy Memorial is also a pacesetter in Michigan for obstetrics, emergency care, intensive care, controlling infections and organ donation.