New PhilHealth chief Edwin Mercado: A surgeon and health innovator
A SHIFT AT STATE HEALTH INSURER. Dr. EdwinMercado, a US-trained orthopedic surgeon with 35 years of experience in hospital management, takes his oath as the new president and chief executive officer of PhilHealth before President Marcos at Malacañang on Tuesday. — PRESIDENTIAL COMMUNICATIONS OFFICE
MANILA, Philippines – Unknown to many, new Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) President and Chief Executive Officer Dr. Edwin Mercado once helped develop a tiny home program for mental patients — an innovative solution to ease overcrowding in emergency rooms at the University of North Carolina Medical Center.
Now, he is tasked with an even bigger challenge: leading the state health insurer as it grapples with financial concerns, public trust issues, and the urgent need to strengthen healthcare access for millions of Filipinos.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. appointed Mercado as PhilHealth chief, replacing Emmanuel Ledesma Jr., who had served since July 2023.
Under Republic Act No. 7875, a PhilHealth president serves a six-year non-renewable term.
According to the Presidential Communications Office (PCO), Mercado has dedicated his career to “ensuring equitable access to quality medical care and leveraging technology to strengthen health systems, particularly in financial management and primary care programs.”
Article continues after this advertisementThe PCO also highlighted Mercado’s 35 years of experience in hospital management as a U.S.-trained orthopedic surgeon.
Article continues after this advertisementREAD: Orthopedic surgeon Edwin Mercado is new PhilHealth president, CEO
Educational background and global experience
Mercado’s journey in medicine began at the University of the Philippines (UP), where he graduated cum laude with a bachelor’s degree in Zoology in 1983. He then earned his Doctor of Medicine degree from UP-Philippine General Hospital (PGH) in 1987.
During his senior year of residency at PGH, he served as chief resident and was recognized for outstanding research.
His interest in healthcare extended far beyond the operating room. To further his expertise, he pursued an Executive Master’s in Healthcare Administration at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill in 2020. It was here that he helped develop a tiny home program as part of his capstone project, designed to reduce emergency room congestion at the University of North Carolina Medical Center.
His pursuit of global healthcare solutions continued in 2023 when he earned a Master of Medical Sciences in Global Health Delivery from Harvard Medical School.
His thesis examined the “acceptance and understanding of provider, payer, and regulator stakeholders on the Universal Health Care (UHC) Law in the Philippines.”
Since July 2023, Mercado has been a research fellow under Dr. Chunling Lu at Harvard Medical School’s Division of Global Health Equity.
The PCO noted that he is currently studying per-member payment models for in-patient services and exploring how artificial intelligence (AI) can assist community health workers in delivering primary care.
Leadership in healthcare management
Beyond being a medical practitioner, Mercado is also a leader in healthcare management.
Since March 2021, Mercado has served as vice chairman of Mercado General Hospital Inc. (MGHI), the company behind Qualimed Health Network, where he was the founding president and CEO.
“Under his leadership, MGHI has expanded into a national chain of healthcare facilities that includes four general hospitals, six multi-specialty clinics, two surgery centers, 150 primary care corporate clinics, a college for paramedical professionals, and a physician practice group of 400 doctors,” the PCO said.
READ: PhilHealth chief on P89B excess funds: Wrong to pin the blame on me
Contributions to public health and policy
From August 2022 to June 2023, Mercado served as a consultant and adviser to the Department of Health, where he was a member of the Strategic Advisory Group of Experts (SAGEs).
His role involved advising the DOH on the operational implementation of UHC in five pilot sites across the country.
Beyond policymaking, Mercado has also been actively involved in education and capacity-building.
He is a lecturer at the Ateneo School of Medicine and Public Health, where he teaches global supply chain management, research methods, and implementation science.
He also serves as a guest lecturer at the UP College of Public Health, focusing on medical processes and programs.
Mercado is likewise an independent consultant for the Zuellig Family Foundation. Since 2023, he has developed modules to help local government units operationalize provincial and city health boards, focusing on health economics, governance, financial management, and population health programs.
