Hospital CEO turnover in the first quarter of 2026 increased compared to the same period in 2025, according to a May 28 report from executive outplacement firm Challenger, Gray & Christmas, which tracks CEO exits across the U.S.
Six things to know:
1. Hospitals reported 41 CEO exits in January, February and March, up 32% from 31 during the same period in 2025.
2. Eleven hospital CEO exits occurred in February and 16 in March. In March 2025, hospitals reported six CEO departures.
3. Across all industries, CEO exits rose 20% to 170 in March from 142 in February but were down 4% from 177 exits in March 2025.
4. U.S. companies recorded 521 CEO exits through March, down 19% from 646 during the same period in 2025. Challenger said it was the third-highest first-quarter total since the firm began tracking CEO changes in 2002.
5. “March turnover bounced back from February’s lull, but the broader signal is that boards are no longer churning through CEOs at the breakneck pace they were a year ago. Companies are settling into the leaders they have,” Andy Challenger, labor expert and chief revenue officer for Challenger, said in a news release.
6. Since Dec. 22, Becker’s has reported on more than 100 hospital and health system CEO exits tied to retirements, leadership transitions and executives moving into new roles.
At the Becker's 11th Annual IT + Revenue Cycle Conference: The Future of AI & Digital Health, taking place September 14–17 in Chicago, healthcare executives and digital leaders from across the country will come together to explore how AI, interoperability, cybersecurity, and revenue cycle innovation are transforming care delivery, strengthening financial performance, and driving the next era of digital health. Apply for complimentary registration now.
