David Henry

CEO, Merit Health Central

David is the CEO of Merit Health Central. Merit Health serves the healthcare needs of residents of Mississippi through its 9 affiliated hospitals. The healthcare system offers a wide array of services including orthopedics, cardiology, women’s health, emergency departments, and broad diagnostic medical and surgical services. The network has more than 1,800 licensed beds, more than 2,500 physicians on the combined active medical staffs, more than 3,000 employees, more than 40,000 admissions, and more than 250,000 emergency department visits each year.

David joined Merit Health Central as CEO from St. Domonics where he served as vice president of operations for six years. He has also served as chief executive officer for Bluefield Regional Medical Center in Bluefield, West Virginia.

In his 13 years serving in healthcare leadership, he has gained broad knowledge and experience in operations of the emergency department, perioperative/interventional cardiology, and many ancillary departments.

David earned his bachelor’s degree in business administration from Samford University in Birmingham, Alabama, and his Master of Business Administration and Master of Science in health administration degrees from The University of Alabama at Birmingham.

He is very active in the community, serving as the 2020 chairman of the board for Goodwill Industries of Mississippi and as a board member for Leadership Greater Jackson and the American Cancer Society. David is also an active member of the Highlands Presbyterian Church, serving on the Mercy Ministries committee and in various small groups. He is also a fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives. David and his wife, Mackenzie, a Clinton native, are the parents of nine-year-old twins, Helen and Charlotte.