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The local economic impact of Mercy Health-Springfield was $350 million in 2016, including $144.2 million in total household earnings, according to a report by the University of Cincinnati Economics Center released last week.
Mercy Health-Springfield generated an estimated $4.9 million in local sales, income, property and other tax revenue, the report also says, and provided $14.9 million in uncompensated care and other wellness benefits for the Springfield area.
“We always want to make sure we are giving back to our communities,” Caldwell said. “That really goes back to our mission … We want to make sure we are good stewards of that money, that we are putting money, resources back into community.”
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The health care network also contributed $10.1 billion dollars to the state’s economy, according to the economic impact study, adding more than 5,700 jobs to the workforce. Mercy Health operates 23 hospitals across seven regions in Ohio.
Springfield Regional Medical Center also hosted two jobs fairs on Friday as is it looks to fill many open positions.
That growth is organic, Caldwell said. It started small, he said, but has continued to grow as services have been expanded to meet demand.
“We have not only acute care hospitals but we have senior housing, we have ambulatory care centers, as well we have imaging centers,” Caldwell said. “So we have a lot of points of care. As our population ages, they need additional services and we try to meet those services.”
Mercy Health is always looking at how to provide more services, he said, whether that’s buildings or additional service lines.
Mercy Health–Springfield Registered Nurse Recruiter Laura Risner said they’re looking for many licensed professionals.
“Such as respiratory therapists, physical therapists, nursing assistants, dietary; any kind of entry level position we have available as well,” Risner said. “We are looking for registered nurses with experience. We also will take nurses who are new and are starting their careers because we have great opportunities to learn.”
The system is looking for caring people who who want to benefit the community, she said.
Dozens of people attended the job fairs on Friday, including Springfield resident Twanet Wells. She heard about it from her friend who also went there looking for a job.
Wells and other applicants were screened and interviewed by managers from departments within Mercy Health- Springfield.
Wells came to challenge herself, she said. She has worked a lot with seniors, helping them with independent living.
“The opportunities that they have available, I have some experience in some of it,” she said. “I just want to get further ahead.”
BY THE NUMBERS
$350 million: Estimated local economic impact of Mercy Health-Springfield in 2016
2,100: Number of employees at Mercy Health–Springfield
150: Number of positions available at Mercy Health–Springfield
49: Number of job sites at Mercy Health–Springfield
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