Marty Bonick has stepped down as president and CEO of Brentwood, Tenn.-based Ardent Health to pursue other opportunities.
COO Dave Caspers has been named president and CEO, effective immediately, according to a June 2 health system news release. He has also been appointed to the company’s board of directors.
Mr. Bonick served as CEO since 2020 and oversaw the organization’s initial public offering in July 2024, positioning the system for continued advancement, the release said.
Mr. Caspers joined the organization in March 2025 and led companywide operational initiatives, including oversight of the IMPACT program to improve margins, performance, agility and care transformation, the release said.
Before joining Ardent, Mr. Caspers held leadership roles at Walmart Health, Target and Phoenix-based Banner Health. He spent seven years at Banner Health, most recently as vice president of healthcare operations from 2019 to 2022. He also served as COO and vice president of Walmart Health from September 2022 to September 2023, according to his LinkedIn profile.
Ardent CFO Alfred Lumsdaine said in the release that the company saw volume softness during the second quarter and reaffirmed the health system’s full-year 2026 adjusted EBITDA guidance of $485 million to $535 million. The organization recorded a net income of $39.9 million in the first quarter of 2026, up from $41.4 million during the same period in 2025.
Board Chairman Mark Sotir expressed gratitude to Mr. Bonick for his leadership during a pivotal period for the organization.
“He played an instrumental role in guiding the organization through COVID-19, operational improvements, and our initial public offering, positioning the business for sustained long-term growth and helping build a strong foundation as the Company continues to navigate industry headwinds with a focus on disciplined execution,” Mr. Sotir said in the release. “We wish him all the best in his next chapter.”
Ardent Health operates 30 acute care hospitals and approximately 280 sites of care with more than 2,000 employed and affiliated providers across six states, according to its website.
Becker’s has reached out to Mr. Bonick and will update this story if more information becomes available.
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