For questions reguarding this program please email [email protected].
What Is the Rotational Leadership Academy?
Mercy is committed to growing entry-level, high-potential talent. We’re looking for the next generation of leaders who can answer the call to provide care that’s innovative, compassionate and rooted in faith.
The Rotational Leadership Academy (RLA) is an immersive, hands-on health care experience where you’ll begin your path to leadership. It’s a unique opportunity to become the leader you were meant to be. You’ll work on key assignments to develop functional and leadership skills in your first years at Mercy, accelerating your advancement into a leadership role. The RLA is also open to non-clinical graduates who don’t have a health care background but want to pursue leadership positions in the field.
Ready to tap into your God-given leadership talent? Apply for the RLA and help us lead Mercy into the future of health care. We're excited to welcome leaders who share our focus on advanced technology, using it to make care more personal, efficient and effective for those we serve.
Why Mercy?
Since our founding almost 200 years ago, Mercy has been a ministry committed to providing exceptional care and compassionate service. Today, Mercy is transforming health care by bringing innovative approaches to disease prevention and treatment.
Our collaboration with Mayo Clinic allows us to help build a vast network of data, insights, products and partnerships to advance health care globally.
Students graduating with a bachelor’s degree in any major by Dec 2024 and May 2025 are eligible to apply to the RLA program. The program begins in July 2025.
Applicants are required to have an overall GPA of at least 3.2.
Whether you studied liberal arts, computer science, engineering, business or health sciences, you can benefit from participating in the RLA program.
Proven leadership skills are essential for RLA applicants. For example, students who’ve led a community group, club, sorority, fraternity or who’ve served in other leadership roles are ideal candidates.
Other qualities and skills required for RLA applicants include:
- Analytical skills – Strong problem-solving and critical-thinking skills
- Interpersonal skills – Effective collaboration, conflict-resolution and relationship-building abilities
- Communication – Excellent verbal, written, listening and presentation skills
- Adaptability – Flexibility and ability to adapt to change, new situations, challenges or technologies
- Achievement – High academic performance and strong motivation to achieve and exceed goals
Mercy will select six to eight RLA participants from among all applicants. For those chosen, it’s an incredible opportunity to land a job right out of college, build leadership skills and improve health care.
RLA participants are hired as full-time employees who serve two-year rotations in areas of Mercy’s healing ministry. Rotations are structured over two years.
8 months (July - February) in St. Louis
- Two-week immersive orientation
- Ministry Performance Divisions
- Specialty Care Service Lines
- Operations
- Primary Care
7 months (March - September) in Community
- Hospitals/clinics in Mercy Regions
- St. Louis
- Springfield
- Northwest Arkansas
- Oklahoma City
7 months (October - April) in St. Louis
- Ministry Performance Accelerators
- Marketing & Business Development
- Office of Clinical Excellence
- Human Resources
- Human Centered Design
- Enterprise Data and Analytics
- Finance
2 months (May - June) - Final
- Capstone
- Prospective Roles
Leadership Capabilities Development, Mission and Formation as well as Coaching/Mentoring from Mercy Leaders are interwoven during the two-year rotations.
Apply online here RLA Associate (2025 Cohort Application)
Your application will be reviewed and Mercy will let you know if you’re a candidate for the program.
Candidates will participate in a series of interviews and you’ll be evaluated on your fit with the Mercy culture and your leadership potential.
A formal talent assessment is also required.
Mercy will select six to eight RLA participants from among all interviewees, and a formal offer of employment will be made to those chosen to participate.
Current RLA Members
