Kathryn Mercado, DNP.
St. Catherine University congratulates Kathryn Mercado, DNP, on being named a 2025 Individual President’s Award honoree by HealthPartners. This prestigious award — the organization’s highest honor, presented annually since 1983 — recognizes individuals who exemplify excellence, compassion, partnership, and integrity, as nominated by their leaders and peers. Mercado was recognized for her outstanding work as the neonatal lead at Hudson Hospital in Hudson, Wisconsin.
“We are so proud of Kathryn and this truly remarkable recognition,” said Kristy Yaeger, vice president of patient care services and chief nursing officer at Hudson Hospital. “She is so deserving, and has enhanced the care in our Birth Center in countless ways.”
Mercado began her career in neonatal nursing in 2007 and has practiced as a board-certified neonatal nurse practitioner (NNP) since 2012. In 2023, she joined St. Kate’s as an assistant professor and coordinator of the Neonatal Nurse Practitioner program. As a leader in the School of Nursing, her clinical expertise and leadership vision have been instrumental in shaping the curriculum and securing accreditation for the NNP program.
"We are very proud Dr. Mercado has been honored with the Health Partner's President Award. Her work with the Enhanced Care Nursing at Hudson Hospital demonstrates her commitment to delivering exceptional patient care," said Suzanne Lehman, DNP, dean of the School of Nursing. "St. Kate's School of Nursing is dedicated to educating nurses to bring clinical excellence and compassion to the patients and communities they serve. As a faculty and leader for the DNP Neonatal Nurse Practitioner program, Kathryn Mercado is an inspiring role model for our students."
Mercado and other award recipients will be honored in November at HealthPartners’ President’s and Wilbur Thomas Community Service Awards ceremony in Minneapolis.