Phoenix (STN) – Jessica Quick’s path to leadership in healthcare was shaped by steady growth, evolving responsibility and a clear sense of purpose.
During the April episode of ‘It Happens at STN,’ Mercy Care’s vice president of network performance and contracting shared how her journey from the Midwest to Arizona led her to a role focused on expanding access to care for hundreds of thousands of people.
Quick grew up in Blue Springs, Missouri, where she described a childhood rooted in simplicity and connection.
“We rode our bikes all day until the streetlights came on,” she said, recalling a sense of community that continues to influence how she approaches her work today.
After moving to Arizona, Quick began her career at Mercy Care as a provider relations manager in behavioral health. At the time, the organization was undergoing a major transition, integrating two separate entities into a single system.
“I was part of one of the first departments that was integrating those two companies,” she said.
WATCH: For Jessica Quick, healthcare access is a fundamental right
That experience opened the door to new leadership opportunities, eventually leading her to oversee provider relations and contracting. Most recently, she was promoted to vice president, a role she described as both exciting and hard-earned.
“It’s something I’ve worked really hard to get to,” Quick said.
In her current position, Quick helps ensure healthcare services are accessible, culturally responsive and aligned with the needs of diverse communities across Arizona. Mercy Care supports nearly 400,000 members statewide, a scale she said reinforces the importance of the work.
“Healthcare is not a luxury,” she said. “It’s a fundamental human right.”
That belief shapes her approach to leadership and partnership. Quick emphasized that expanding access to care requires more than building systems. It requires understanding the barriers that prevent people from seeking services in the first place.
“We serve a very diverse population,” she said. “For some, English is not their first language. For others, there may be stigma around accessing care.”
Addressing those challenges means working with partners across the community to break down barriers and build trust.
“What can we do to make sure people are getting the services they need to live their healthiest life?” she said.
