MCEDC Member Spotlight: Jeni Hallatt, Vice President of Mercyhealth

With more than 25 years of shaping healthcare delivery and access across southern Wisconsin and northern Illinois, Jeni Hallatt, Vice President of Mercyhealth, oversees a plethora of programs and initiatives that touch hundreds of providers and thousands of patients.  

Beyond her clinical and operational leadership, Jeni has been a driving force in connecting healthcare and the broader economic development of regions she serves, helping to ensure communities have the essential services they need to thrive.  

A Career Rooted in Community Impact 

Jeni’s path into healthcare administration was driven by both her business skillset and her upbringing in a small-town environment. Growing up on a dairy farm, she understood how access to services, especially healthcare, is essential to sustain a community. This perspective guided her to a career where she could make relationships that have a direct impact on where it matters most, the people.  

With this mindset, Jeni earned a bachelor’s degree with a double major in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, followed by a master’s degree in healthcare administration from the University of Minnesota. Jeni is also a Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives.  

Following her master’s, Jeni joined Mercyhealth through an internship, a role that evolved into a twenty-six-year career spanning ambulatory and hospital settings. With a focus on operations and clinical support, Jeni worked closely with physicians to establish practices and manage administrative responsibilities so providers can focus on patient care. Her leadership in McHenry County began in 2005 as Manager at Mercyhealth in Woodstock, before advancing to director-level positions and beyond.  

Today, as Vice President, she oversees provider recruitment and compensation, two Family Practice Residency Programs, Home Health, Hospice, Durable Medical Equipment, and approximately 600 specialty and primary care physicians and advanced practice providers across  Northern Illinois and Southern Wisconsin. 

One accomplishment in her role in expanding healthcare access in McHenry County was through her involvement in the development of the Mercyhealth Hospital and Physician Clinic in Crystal Lake, ensuring the county’s growing population could access critical emergency services close to home.  

Involvement in the MCEDC  

Jeni’s commitment to communities extended to the economic development arena. In January 2021, she joined the Board of Directors for the McHenry County Economic Development Corporation (MCEDC) and served as the Secretary of the Board from 2024 to 2025.  

Now as Vice Chair, Jeni emphasizes that collaboration is key across industries, emphasizing that healthcare and other sectors all contribute to attracting, retaining, and expanding businesses for the betterment of the community. 

Through her work with MCEDC, Jeni champions partnerships that reinforce the key building blocks of a thriving community—strong healthcare, quality schools, safe neighborhoods, and accessible services. She sees tremendous opportunities for growth across McHenry County, where these foundations position the region to attract both residents and businesses while preserving its small-town character. By supporting local businesses, the MCEDC plays a vital role in ensuring McHenry County remains a great place to live, work, and grow.  

“When people are looking for a place to live, they’re looking for the basics: good healthcare, good schools, safe communities, and access to what they need,” said Jeni. “McHenry County has all of that, and it has the opportunity to build even more. It’s about continuing to attract people and businesses while maintaining that strong sense of community. That’s where it all comes together.” 

Community Commitment Beyond the Workplace 

Beyond her professional and board responsibilities, Jeni actively volunteers with the Minnesota MHA Alumni Association and the Girl Scouts of the USA and participates in her local church community. 

Although not a McHenry County resident herself, Jeni is married and shares two daughters who are in college, one studying physical therapy in Florida, and the other pursuing nursing in North Dakota, continuing the family’s commitment to healthcare and service. 

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Stay tuned for next month’s MCEDC Member Spotlight as we continue to highlight the people and organizations driving growth and innovation across McHenry County. To learn more about the McHenry County Economic Development Corporation’s mission to attract, retain, and expand businesses in our region, visit www.McHenryCountyEDC.com.