David Schultz has exited his role as president of hospital operations for Nashville, Tenn.-based Ardent Health, according to a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
“On June 16, 2025, Ardent Health and David Schultz determined that Mr. Schultz would no longer serve as president, hospital operations and would depart the company effective immediately,” the filing said.
Ardent said in the filing that it treated the departure as a “‘qualifying termination’ pursuant to the company’s executive severance plan. Mr. Schultz will be entitled to receive severance and related benefits for such a separation, subject to compliance with the terms and conditions of the severance plan.”
An Ardent spokesperson declined to share additional details about the change, citing the company’s general practice to not comment on personnel matters.
Mr. Schultz was appointed president of hospital operations for Ardent Health in April 2024 after serving in the role on an interim basis.
He also previously served as president of Ardent’s five-hospital New Mexico market and served as senior vice president of operations and service lines for Tacoma, Wash.-based Virginia Mason Franciscan Health.
His departure from Ardent Health comes as the system has made various leadership changes.
In March, Ardent appointed Dave Caspers, former vice president of omnichannel operations at Walmart Health, as its new COO. At that time, the company also announced the promotion of three other senior leaders.
Ardent operates 30 hospitals and 280 care sites across six states.
