Executive compensation in healthcare continues to reflect a combination of performance-based incentives, stock awards and strategic benchmarks aligned with shareholder value. In 2024, leaders at four of the country’s largest for-profit health systems — HCA Healthcare, Tenet Healthcare, Universal Health Services and Community Health Systems — saw compensation packages that mirrored their organizations’ financial outcomes and strategic growth initiatives.
Below is a breakdown of the highest-earning executives across these four systems, based on their most recent proxy statements filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Editor’s note: Total compensation can include salary, bonuses, stock and option awards, change in pension value and nonqualified deferred compensation earnings and other compensation.
HCA Healthcare (Nashville, Tenn.)
HCA Healthcare, which operates 190 hospitals, reported a robust 2024 with $70.6 billion in revenue — up more than $5 billion year over year — and $8.5 billion in operating income, reflecting a 12.1% margin. CEO Sam Hazen emphasized continued operational improvements and long-term growth as cornerstones of the system’s strategy.
Top-earning executives in 2024:
– Sam Hazen, CEO: $23.8 million
– Jon Foster, executive vice president and COO: $9.2 million
– Michael McAlevey, executive vice president, chief legal and administrative officer: $5.7 million
– Mike Marks, executive vice president and CFO: $5.5 million
– Michael Cuffe, MD, executive vice president and chief clinical officer: $5.5 million
– Bill Rutherford, former executive vice president and CFO: $4.6 million
Tenet had one of the most striking financial boosts in 2024, tripling its operating income year over year to $6 billion (28.8% margin) as it took in more than $4.8 billion from the sale of 14 hospitals. Net income surged 210% to $4.1 billion.
Top-earning executives in 2024:
– Saum Sutaria, MD, CEO: $24.7 million
– Tom Arnst, executive vice president, chief administrative officer, general counsel and corporate secretary: $5.8 million
– Lisa Foo, executive vice president of commercial operations: $5.2 million
– Sun Park, executive vice president and CFO: $4.7 million
– Paola Arbour, executive vice president and chief information officer: $3.4 million
Universal Health Services (King of Prussia, Pa.)
UHS ended 2024 with a 10.6% operating margin and net income of $1.1 billion, up from $717.8 million in 2023. The system operates a diverse portfolio, including 28 acute care hospitals and 331 behavioral health facilities.
Top-earning executives in 2024:
– Marc Miller, CEO and president: $15 million
– Alan Miller, executive chair: $7.9 million
– Steve Filton, executive vice president and CFO: $5 million
– Edward Sim, executive vice president and president of acute care: $4.7 million
– Matthew Peterson, executive vice president and president of behavioral health: $4.2 million
Community Health Systems (Franklin, Tenn.)
In contrast with peers, CHS faced financial headwinds in 2024, with operating income falling to $542 million and a net loss of $362 million due to high interest expenses. Despite these challenges, executive compensation remained competitive.
Top-earning executives in 2024:
– Tim Hingtgen, CEO: $7.6 million
– Kevin Hammons, president and CFO: $3.5 million
– Kevin Stockton, executive vice president of operations and development: $2.2 million
– Lynn Simon, MD, president, healthcare innovation and chief medical officer: $2.1 million
– Chad Campbell, regional president: $1.9 million
