United Hospital

Doctor’s Day is March 30: Meet John Merchun, MD

March 28, 2022

Radiologist John Merchun, MD, is right at home roaming the halls at Spectrum Health United Hospital in Greenville.

Merchun, a Greenville native, was born at United Hospital 55 years ago. His father, Frank, was radiologist at the hospital for 30 years, retiring in 1991. In fact, the radiology waiting room is named after Frank.

John Merchun followed in his father and oldest brother’s footsteps in becoming a radiologist and began work at the hospital and throughout West Michigan in 1997.

He’ll celebrate 25 years serving the community as a radiologist July 1.

An employee of Advanced Radiology Services, Merchun works primarily at United Hospital.

Advanced Radiology Services is an independent group of more than 200 radiologists who support hospitals and other medical offices.

“I think I have the best of both worlds; I work for one of the biggest radiology groups in the country, in a big health system like Spectrum Health, I get all the resources, and yet I get to work at a small community hospital where I know everybody—and oh by the way—it’s where I grew up. I feel like I have it made.”

Merchun and his wife, Julie, both grew up locally and graduated from Greenville High School.

Merchun went to the University of Michigan for his undergraduate studies and to Michigan State for medical school. He completed his residency training at the University of Cincinnati.

John and Julie have been married 31 years and have four children, Sam, Jack, Will and Elena.

Merchun is quick to give Julie accolades.

“She makes me a better person,” he said. “Most of the really cool things I’ve done in my life, or experiences I’ve had, I owe to her. I was smart enough to say yes.”

The couple raised their family in Rockford, where they still live.

Merchun was the recipient of the 2020 Fred and Lena Meijer Spirit of Caring Award by the Spectrum Health Foundation United and Kelsey Hospitals.

The award is given annually to an individual who has demonstrated outstanding efforts in caring for others and in improving health care in the greater Greenville community through philanthropy, leadership and commitment.

Merchun said he’s just one of many dedicated caregivers at United Hospital.

“As a medical staff, we have some great people here,” he said. “It’s nice to be a part of that. We are very proud of what do here at a small, regional hospital. We offer a lot of services that people can also get downtown. We don’t do everything, but we do a lot. But we only do the things we think are appropriate. We don’t want to do it if we can’t do it well.”

He said he enjoys the small-town feel at community hospitals.

“That personal touch is what we try to show patients when they come in for procedures,” he said. “I would like to think that’s what sets us apart.”

In his personal time, Merchun enjoys mountain biking, cross country skiing, hiking and traveling on family trips.

Spectrum Health recognizes and thanks all its doctors and advance practice providers this Doctor’s Day.

Contact:
John Norton
Corporate Communications Manager
Office: 231.592.4387
Mobile: 231.580.1079
Email: john.norton@corewellhealth.org