Sudden leadership departures, the retirements of healthcare stalwarts and appointments of successors captured the attention of Becker's Hospital Review's readers in 2017.
Here are 10 of the most-read stories published by Becker's this year, beginning with the most popular.
1. Leadership exodus at Baptist Health System — CEO, CFO, COO & VP to depart
The executives leaving were CEO Trip Pilgrim; President and COO Graham Reeve; CFO Gary Whittington; and Vice President of Human Resources Sarah Spinharney. Dallas-based Tenet Healthcare, San Antonio-based Baptist Health System's parent, made the leadership changes to eliminate regional and market management layers in hopes of creating a more nimble organization, while also providing leaders with more direct access to Tenet's hospital service center in Dallas, a Baptist spokesperson told Becker's.
2. OSU Wexner CEO resigns over faculty concerns about leadership
Columbus-based Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center CEO Sheldon Retchin, MD, resigned, following complaints about his leadership from the faculty. He also stepped down from his position as executive vice president of health sciences at the medical center.
3. CHI St. Luke's Health CFO steps down a week after CEO's sudden resignation
Jenny Barnett-Sarpalius, senior vice president and CFO of the CHI Texas Division at Houston-based CHI St. Luke's Health, left her position in July. The news came one week after St. Luke's CEO Michael Covert submitted his resignation, effective Aug. 31.
4. CHS fires Lutheran Health Network CEO Brian Bauer: 6 things to know
Franklin, Tenn.-based Community Health Systems, the parent company of Fort Wayne, Ind.-based Lutheran Health Network, fired the network's CEO Brian Bauer in June. In a letter sent to LHN employees, Martin Bonick, president of division I operations at CHS, said Mr. Bauer was fired "after considerable thought about what is needed to advance the network and many discussions with Brian … Current circumstances put him in an untenable position and he is unable to continue in his leadership role," according to a News-Sentinel report.
5. Swedish Health Services CEO Tony Armada resigns following investigation into medical practices
Anthony Armada, the CEO of Seattle-based Swedish Health Services, resigned in February, just days after a Seattle Times report prompted state regulators to investigate the Swedish Neuroscience Institute on the Cherry Hill campus in Seattle.
6. United Medical Center fires CMO who criticized hospital consultants
Julian Craig, MD, CMO of Washington, D.C.-based United Medical Center was fired after accusing the firm managing the hospital of misconduct in October. Dr. Craig received a letter in November from hospital board chairwoman LaRuby May stating his contract will not be renewed.
7. Memorial Hermann Health System CEO Dr. Benjamin Chu departs after 1 year
Houston-based Memorial Hermann Health System President and CEO Benjamin K. Chu, MD, stepped down in June, just one year into his tenure. He is leaving to "pursue his passion in health and public policy," according to a health system statement.
8. Tenet CEO Trevor Fetter steps down
Dallas-based Tenet Healthcare's longtime leader Trevor Fetter stepped down from his role as CEO and resigned as a director of the company in October. Tenet announced in August it was replacing Mr. Fetter, who has led the 77-hospital chain since 2003.
9. Cleveland Clinic names Dr. Toby Cosgrove's successor
Cleveland Clinic appointed Tomislav Mihaljevic, MD, president and CEO, effective Jan 1. He joined Cleveland Clinic in 2004 and has served as CEO of Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi since 2015.
10. Cleveland Clinic President and CEO Dr. Toby Cosgrove announces plans to step down in 2017
Toby Cosgrove, MD, president and CEO of Cleveland Clinic, revealed plans to transition out of his executive roles in 2017. He will reportedly continue on in an advisory role to the Cleveland Clinic. Dr. Cosgrove served as president and CEO of the system for roughly 13 years.