Former president & CEO of Mercy Medical Center remembered as a visionary
Mercy Medical Center in Cedar Rapids celebrated the life of former President & CEO A. James (Jim) Tinker with a memorial service on Friday, May 10. Tinker, who served in the role from 1982 to 2006, died on April 21. He was a visionary whose influence on Mercy and the healthcare industry at large was truly extraordinary.
During his tenure at Mercy, Tinker spearheaded numerous initiatives that propelled the hospital to the forefront of healthcare. Some of his accomplishments include the establishment of MercyCare North, Mercy Home Care services, the Crawford Diabetes Center, mobile imaging services, Mercy Women’s Center, the Cardiac Stroke Center, Hallagan Education Center and Lundy Pavilion.
In addition to his transformative work within Mercy, Tinker’s dedication extended to the community through his service on various local and national boards, including the American Hospital Association, Big Brothers/Big Sisters, Blue Cross of Iowa and the United Way of East Central Iowa. This extension of his work exemplified his unwavering commitment to advancing healthcare and improving the well-being of our community.
Tinker was recognized on multiple occasions for his outstanding achievements, including his induction into the Junior Achievement Business Hall of Fame as its first non-profit leader to be recognized, as well as his receipt of the prestigious Gold-Headed Cane — an accolade that symbolizes excellence in the field of medicine.
“Jim was more than a leader; he was a compassionate soul who embodied The Mercy Touch and the legacy of the Sisters of Mercy in every aspect of his life,” said Dr. Timothy Quinn, current Mercy president and CEO. “His influence on Mercy, our patients, and the communities we serve is immeasurable, and his absence will be deeply felt.”
Tinker’s family has established a new fund, named the Jim Tinker Endowed Fund for Mercy’s Greatest Needs, with the Mercy Foundation. This was established because Tinker was especially attuned to emergent needs in healthcare. Gifts in his honor can be made to this fund by contacting the Mercy Foundation at (319) 398-6206 or visiting https://www.mercycare.org/giving/donate-now.
He is survived by two daughters, Jennifer and Karen, and five grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife of 57 years, Jean, and their daughter Kathy.
