Mercy Health - Defiance

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Mercy Health - Defiance

Welcome to the official Mercy Health — Defiance page.

View our social media community guidelines here: https://www.mercy.com/patient-resources/mercy-health-social-media-community-guidelines.

10/10/2025

Mercy Health — Defiance is honored to partner with Defiance College, providing a $250,000 gift to establish new scholarships for junior and senior-level students pursuing health-related majors and investing in the next generation of health care professionals.

“Defiance College and Mercy Health have had a long partnership dating back to when the facility was known as the Clinic,” said Dr. Richanne C. Mankey, President of Defiance College. “To provide well-prepared professionals to the workplace, this new scholarship will further strengthen the ongoing partnership between our two institutions.”

The newly established scholarship will help students complete their studies while gaining valuable hands-on experience. Recipients will have the opportunity to participate in job shadowing during their junior year and complete an internship in their senior year. Applicants will be selected based on academic excellence, leadership, and a demonstrated commitment to community service.

“At Mercy Health – Defiance, we are proud to continue our strong partnership with Defiance College through this impactful scholarship initiative. By investing in the education and development of future health care professionals, we’re not only supporting students—we're strengthening the future of our local health care system. This collaboration reflects our shared commitment to excellence, service, and community,” said Sonya Selhorst, President/Chief Nursing Officer, Mercy Health – Defiance; Trustee, Defiance College.

This scholarship underscores both institutions’ commitment to providing pathways for students to DEFIne Their Future through meaningful educational and professional experiences.

10/09/2025

Celebrating Dr. John Shaw, recipient of the Ninth Annual Catherine McAuley Lifetime Achievement Award! His kindness, dedication and servant leadership inspire us all at Mercy Health. Thank you, Dr. Shaw, for embodying the heart of health care and our core values every day. 💙👏

The Catherine McAuley Lifetime Achievement Award is intended to be the most prestigious honor that Mercy Health — Defiance can bestow on any hospital employee. The award is given to individuals who, through a lifetime of services to this hospital, most closely emulate the values of the Foundress of the Sisters of Mercy, Catherine McAuley.

“Dr. Shaw is very deserving of this prestigious award; he is someone who embodies the heart of health care. Dr. Shaw is known throughout the community for his kindness, sincerity, and servant leadership. He shows up fully present- sitting at the bedside offering his undivided attention and patiently answering every question for his patients and their families. We recognize not just his service but the way he lives out his calling with grace, truth, strength and love. He is truly an amazing reflection of our mission and core values at Mercy Health.”

10/08/2025

Empowering the next generation of health care heroes! Mercy Health has partnered with Defiance College to offer new scholarships for students pursuing health-related majors, opening doors to hands-on experiences, internships and a future dedicated to service and excellence.

"At Mercy Health — Defiance, we are proud to continue our strong partnership with Defiance College through this impactful scholarship initiative. By investing in the education and development of future health care professionals, we're not only supporting students — we're strengthening the future of our local health care system. This collaboration reflects our shared commitment to excellence, service and community," said Sonya Selhorst, president and chief nursing officer for Mercy Health — Defiance and trustee at Defiance College.

10/07/2025

We’d like to share an important update with our valued patients who have Humana Managed Medicaid or Medicare Advantage insurance coverage.

We’re in active negotiations with Humana and are committed to a fair resolution that ensures you and your family continue receiving the high-quality care you deserve. Your health is our priority, and we’re doing everything we can to maintain your in-network access to the Mercy Health facilities and caregivers you know and trust.

If an agreement isn't reached before December 1, 2025, Mercy Health will become out-of-network for Humana Managed Medicaid and Medicare Advantage plans. For details on how this may affect you and what actions you can take, please visit www.mercy.com/humana-updates.

10/01/2025

At Mercy Health, we are united in supporting and honoring those who have been impacted by breast cancer.

Who are you honoring this month?

09/30/2025

We’re pleased to welcome Chasity Archer, CNP, to the Mercy Health palliative care team in Defiance.

Chasity brings a deep commitment to compassionate, person-centered care. Her journey into health care began as a child when she witnessed the impact of home care nurses who cared for her grandmother during a battle with inoperable colon cancer. That experience inspired her lifelong mission to serve others during some of life’s most difficult moments.

With a background in inpatient acute care, specializing in neuro and trauma, Chasity now brings that expertise to the field of palliative care – where she partners with patients and families to navigate serious illness, manage symptoms and make informed decisions aligned with their values and goals.

She is especially passionate about supporting individuals facing cancer diagnoses and is driven to help dispel the myths surrounding palliative care. Chastity believes that strong provider-patient relationships, built on trust and communication, are essential to delivering meaningful, high-quality care.

Chasity is excited to help grow the palliative care program in our region, bringing a much-needed service to the community in alignment with Mercy Health’s mission to extend the healing ministry of Jesus through exceptional care.

Outside of work, Chasity enjoys traveling internationally and learning about new cultures, bringing the same spirit of curiosity and connection to her work with patients and families.

Please join us in welcoming Chasity to the Mercy Health family!

09/11/2025

Today, we pause and remember. May we honor the lives that were lost, and give thanks for the first responders and service members who served and saved.

09/10/2025

Did you know the 988 Su***de & Crisis Lifeline provides 24/7 free and confidential support to those in suicidal crisis or emotional distress? Help spread the word by sharing this number with family and friends. You never know if it could help save a life!

09/02/2025

Patients, visitors and staff at Mercy Health — Defiance Hospital now have four new, tail-wagging reasons to smile. The hospital has launched a Pet Therapy Program, welcoming four certified therapy dogs to make regular visits across campus.

The dogs — Whitaker, Bert, Oliver and Sophie will greet people in patient rooms, waiting areas and staff spaces, providing comfort, reducing stress and bringing joy to the hospital environment.

"These dogs are more than just visitors—they’re part of our healing team," said Sonya Selhorst, president. "They help lift spirits, ease anxiety and remind us that compassion comes in many forms—sometimes with fur and a wagging tail."

The program is part of Mercy Health’s commitment to whole-person care, blending medical expertise with emotional and spiritual support.

06/01/2025

We honor cancer survivors by recognizing their strength through ongoing challenges, celebrating their lives and praying for continued healing.

Join us as we recognize National Cancer Survivors Day by sharing your thoughts on why cancer survivors are an inspiration to you.

05/14/2025

We believe good works start with great people, and Sonya Selhorst is a shining example in practice. As president and chief nursing officer of Mercy Health — Defiance, Sonya brings her best every day, drawing inspiration from her experiences in her nursing career and serving others on medical mission trips to Haiti.

“We’ve gone twice, both times to Haiti,” said Sonya, who joined a group organized by colleagues from the Mercy Health — Lima market. “We haven’t gone back in recent years because of COVID and the political unrest, but those experiences stay with me.”

Serving in Haiti is incredibly humbling, she says. “It highlights how incredibly blessed we are with the resources we have to provide care locally,” she shares. “Many of the people we serve don’t have access to regular care. They line up hours before the clinic opens, hoping to be seen and even through that, they’re grateful. No one complains.”

Sonya sees these experiences not as a one-way act of service, but as a two-way exchange that helps her grow and lead with even greater compassion. “The health care workers in Haiti have an incredibly deep passion and are incredibly resourceful. They often use homeopathic or non-traditional approaches, which taught me to think more holistically.”

These moments have a lasting impact. “They don’t have true medical records — continuity of care is almost impossible. I was blown away. It puts into perspective the importance of access and the advantages we have here in Defiance.”

Mission work also gives her space to share her heart in ways that go far beyond the workplace. “Taking these trips with my son, daughter-in-law and daughter has been one of the most rewarding things in my life. I remember thinking, ‘If I’ve done one thing right, it’s raising good humans.’”

Sonya Selhorst’s story is a shining example of how we share our hearts, whether we’re delivering care in northwest Ohio or serving in a small clinic far from home.

We are thankful for the dedication of Sonya and our nurses, who make a difference daily, providing compassionate care for our patients and community.

Address

1400 E 2nd Street
Defiance, OH
43512

Telephone

+14197828444

Website

http://mercyweb.org/

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