It's only March, but 2014 is looking to be a pivotal one for many hospitals and health systems given the number of well-known, longstanding leaders who have announced their retirements in the past three months.
The following leaders have either shared plans to retire or already done so. They have served as president and/or CEO for five, 10, even 37 years. Executives are presented in chronological order, beginning with the most recent retirement announcements made.
1. Ora Pescovitz, MD, CEO of Ann Arbor-based University of Michigan Health System
Dr. Pescovitz, who is also executive vice president of medical affairs at the university, announced plans this week to step down June 1. A pediatric endocrinologist, Dr. Pescovitz is serving a five-year term and said it was her decision to not renew her contract. She discussed her decision in a blog post, writing, "Thank you for making this past five years a time that I will always cherish."
2. Alan Channing, President and CEO of Chicago-based Sinai Health System
Mr. Channing announced his plans in early March to retire July 1. He has led the health system for 10 years and orchestrated a 2012 addition to the system, bringing on Holy Cross Hospital in Chicago's Southwest Side. Mr. Channing has spent 40 years of his career at nonprofit, safety-net hospitals. He has said he plans to play with his grandchildren, "annoy [his] spouse" and rediscover his hobbies, all while continuing to support Sinai and explore other options.
3. Robert Laskowski, MD, President and CEO of Wilmington, Del.-based Christiana Care Health System
Dr. Laskowski, a board-certified internist specializing in geriatric medicine, announced his plans to retire at the end of the year. He has Christiana Care Health System for the past 11 years, and oversaw several expansions, improvement initiatives and additions to the system, including the creation of its Center for Heart & Vascular Health and Christiana Care Value Institute. "Leading Christiana Care and collaborating with the board, physicians, trustees and leadership team have been among the most gratifying experiences of my professional career," Dr. Laskowski said in a statement.
4. Russell Harrington Jr., President and CEO of Little Rock, Ark.-based Baptist Health
Mr. Harrington plans to retire July 1 after leading the eight-hospital health system since 1984. Baptist is slated to begin construction on its ninth hospital this year. Mr. Harrington will remain president emeritus and senior advisor of Baptist Health once he retires. He will be succeeded by Troy Wells, senior vice president of administrative services at Baptist Health.
5. Joseph Wilczek, CEO of Tacoma, Wash.-based Franciscan Health System
Mr. Wilczek, who is also senior vice president for divisional operations of Denver-based Catholic Health Initiatives, plans to retire Jan. 12, 2015. He has led Franciscan Health for the past 16 years, overseeing the system's expansion from three hospitals to nine and the development of more than 100 clinic network sites. CHI is expected to name his successor by the end of this year.
6. John Bluford III, President and CEO of Kansas City, Mo.-based Truman Medical Centers
Mr. Bluford announced plans in February to retire July 18 after serving as the nonprofit system's president and CEO since 1999. He has overseen several major capital investments and additions to the system, including a new cardiology suite, emergency department and diabetes center. He also increased total annual operating net revenue by $283 million since assuming his position. TMC has said it plans to name a successor prior to Mr. Bluford's departure.
7. Tim Rice, CEO of Greensboro, N.C.-based Cone Health
In early February, Mr. Rice announced his plans to retire at the end of 2014. His time with Cone Health spans 36 years, when he first joined the system as a pharmacist. He was named president and CEO in 2004. "I turn 60 in September, and at that point, I will have been in this role for 10 years," Mr. Rice said in a statement. "I have always felt this was the right time to make this life change for myself and my family." Terry Akin, Cone Health president and COO, will succeed Mr. Rice, effective Jan. 1, 2015.
8. Rick Linneweh, CEO of Yakima (Wash.) Valley Memorial Hospital
Mr. Linnewah retired in January after serving as CEO of Yakima Valley Memorial for 37 years. He decided to depart on a Monday to make it exactly 37 years and one day since assuming the chief title in 1977. "I've been able to practice a noble profession, and really loved every day of that practice," he told the Yakima Herald. Russ Myers, Yakima Valley Memorial's current vice president and chief operations manager, assumed the CEO title.
9. Everett Butler, CEO of Unity Medical Center in Grafton, N.D., and Pembina County Memorial Hospital in Cavalier, N.D.
Mr. Butler announced his plans in January to retire this month. He led Unity Medical Center as CEO for 16 years. In 2006, he started working at Pembina County Memorial Hospital. Mr. Butler told the Grand Forks Herald that the timing of his retirement will mark 50 years spent in healthcare.
10. Terry Pladson, MD, President and CEO of St. Cloud, Minn.-based CentraCare Health
In early January, Dr. Pladson announced his plans to retire at the end of 2014. He began serving as co-president of CentraCare Health beginning in 1995. In 2002, his co-president retired and Dr. Pladson has served as the sole chief since. Under his tenure, the system has grown from one hospital and one clinic to six hospitals and 17 clinics, among other entities. The health system is conducting a nationwide search to find Dr. Pladson's replacement.
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