Chad Towner Will Lead Mercy Starting October 19

Mercy has named veteran healthcare executive Chad Towner to serve as its new president and CEO.

Updated on Oct. 5, 2026 in People

Isometric editorial illustration showing a modern, angular hospital building facade with clean lines and geometric shadows. — Healthcare executive Chad Towner has been appointed as the new president and CEO of Mercy, succeeding interim leader Greg DeWolf effective October 19. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

Live Poll

Does a change in hospital leadership affect the quality of care in your community?

Chad Towner will officially begin his role as the president and CEO of Mercy on October 19, 2026. He follows the departure of former CEO Timothy Quinn and the interim leadership of Greg DeWolf.

Why it matters

The appointment concludes a months-long national search led by the Board of Trustees to fill the top leadership position at the healthcare organization. Towner arrives with extensive experience gained from previous senior executive roles.

Chad Towner brings three decades of total healthcare experience to Mercy, including 20 years spent specifically in senior executive leadership positions.

The players

Chad Towner

He is a veteran healthcare executive who previously served as the CEO of Lutheran Kosciusko Hospital.

Mercy

This healthcare organization conducted a national search to select its new leadership team.

Timothy Quinn

He served as the previous CEO of Mercy before stepping down in April 2026.

Greg DeWolf

He served as the interim president and CEO of the organization following the departure of the former chief executive.

The details

Towner, who began his career as a physical therapist in 1996, previously served as the CEO of Lutheran Kosciusko Hospital in Warsaw, Indiana. His selection follows the April 3, 2026, resignation of Timothy Quinn and an interim period overseen by Greg DeWolf.

Chad Towner began his career as a physical therapist in 1996.
Timothy Quinn stepped down as CEO on April 3, 2026.
Mercy announced the appointment of Chad Towner on October 5, 2026.
Chad Towner begins his role as CEO on October 19, 2026.

Market Landscape

The appointment of Chad Towner marks the end of the leadership search that began following the April 3, 2026, departure of Timothy Quinn. This transition positions Mercy to move forward from an interim governance structure led by Greg DeWolf.

Patients and staff should anticipate changes to organizational strategy and operational priorities as the new CEO takes office. The transition marks a pivot from the interim leadership period toward a new tenure focused on long-term administration.

The takeaway

New executive leadership often signals a shift in institutional priorities that can impact internal culture and hospital service delivery. Stakeholders should monitor the initial policy announcements made by the new administration in the coming weeks.