Hospitals reported five CEO exits in May — a 66.7% decline from 15 in April and down 50% from May 2024.
The finding is from executive coaching firm Challenger, Gray & Christmas’ June 26 report examining CEO turnover in the U.S.
Fifty-one CEOs exited hospitals in the first five months of 2025, compared to 50 during the same period in 2024, according to the report.
Across 29 industries and sectors, 1,028 CEOs departed in the first five months of 2025, up 19% from the 867 CEO exits from January to May last year. This is the highest year-to-date total since Challenger began tracking CEO exits in 2002, according to the report.
In May, specifically, 168 CEO exits were reported — a 21% decline from 214 in April.
“The epic changes and uncertainty facing many companies right now may be the exit point for long-tenured CEOs as companies deploy new strategies requiring new leadership,” said Andrew Challenger, senior vice president and labor expert for the firm.
In healthcare, Becker’s has reported dozens of hospital and health system CEO exits this year, including retirements and resignations. This week, CEOs of two major St. Louis-based health systems — Ascension and BJC Health System — announced plans to retire.
