Cincinnati Leadership

Ken James
Chief Operating Officer, Mercy Health – Cincinnati 

Kenneth James is the chief operating officer of Mercy Health’s Cincinnati market. His responsibilities include strategic operational oversight of six hospital facilities, service lines, ancillary services and/or support services. Duties include establishing systems and approaches that hold institutions and leadership accountable for achieving the Mercy Health mission in acute and/or ambulatory settings within the Cincinnati market. 

Kenneth joined Mercy Health in December of 2016 as president of Clermont Hospital in Batavia Township. He has served in a variety of roles, including president/CEO of Mercy Health’s East market, which includes Mercy Health – Anderson Hospital and Mercy Health – Clermont Hospital.

Most recently Kenneth held the position of resident of Mercy Health – Anderson Hospital. In that role, he was responsible for driving the strategic vision for quality, service and growth across the hospital’s trade area in alignment with Mercy Health’s Accountable Care Organization model. This included the development and execution of Mercy Health’s integrated network of patient-centered care, ambulatory medical center and physician practices.

Prior to joining Mercy Health – Cincinnati, Kenneth served as CEO of Tennova Healthcare Harton Regional Medical Center in Tullahoma, Tenn., as market CEO at Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center and as CEO at Twin Rivers Regional Medical Center in Kennett, Mo.

With nearly 30 years of experience in health care leadership, Kenneth offers an extensive wealth of health care knowledge. He began his health care career in radiology and has excelled in various leadership roles at nonprofit and for-profit organizations, including positions at Vanderbilt University Medical Center and Cleveland Clinic Hospital.

Kenneth is involved in many civic and professional organizations, both locally and nationally. He served on the American Hospital Association Committee on Research and Committee on Performance Improvement and on the Board of Trustees for the Missouri Hospital Association (MHA). Locally, he is a member of the Eastside Rotary Club, the Board of Directors for Mercy Montessori and the Board of Directors for the Life Center. Previous service includes the Board of Directors for the Clermont Chamber of Commerce as well as the Board of Directors for The Boys & Girls Club, United Way and Lions Club International. 

Michele Stokes, MSN, BSN, CNML
Chief Nursing Officer, Mercy Health — Cincinnati
 
Michele Stokes serves as the Chief Nursing Officer (CNO) for Mercy Health — Cincinnati, bringing more than 30 years of dedicated service to the ministry. Appointed to the role after serving in an interim capacity, Michele provides executive leadership for the strategic and operational direction of nursing and clinical care delivery across the Cincinnati Market.

A highly respected and experienced nursing leader, Michele previously served as Chief Nursing Officer of Mercy Health – Fairfield Hospital, where she advanced clinical excellence, supported frontline caregivers, and strengthened the patient experience. Throughout her career with Mercy Health, she has held a variety of leadership positions, including Clinical Director of Perioperative and Women’s Services, Clinical Director, and Interim Chief Nursing Officer at Fairfield Hospital.

Michele earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of Cincinnati and later completed her master’s degree in nursing executive leadership at Northern Kentucky University, where she was inducted into Sigma Theta Tau, the international nursing honor society. She is also certified as a Certified Nurse Manager Leader (CNML) by the American Organization for Nurse Leadership.

Known for her commitment to compassionate care, operational excellence, and strong team collaboration, Michele continues to champion initiatives that elevate quality, safety, and the nursing profession across all Mercy Health care settings.