A total of 37% of healthcare executives said they have no intention of leaving their organizations — up three percentage points from the year prior, according to a fall 2025 survey from executive search firm B.E. Smith.
That leaves nearly 2 in 3 leaders considering a change. Among them, 7% are planning an immediate exit, 11% are considering leaving within six months, 17% within one year and 27% within three to five years.
The “B.E. Smith 2026 Healthcare Leadership Trends” survey was conducted via email between Sept. 30 and Oct. 23, with responses from 703 executives. Respondents included C-suite leaders (27%), senior vice presidents and vice presidents (7%) and directors or managers (60%). Most respondents (73%) worked in hospitals or health systems, while 13% were in clinics or group practices and 5% in post-acute or urgent care settings.
Eight things to know:
1. Among those considering a change, 73% reported being satisfied with their jobs, and 60% with their employers. Among those planning an immediate exit, satisfaction dropped to 40% for their job and 32% for their employer.
2. Leaders with 6–10 years of tenure were more likely to seek a change immediately (17%) or within six months (35%). Vice president-level respondents were the most likely to seek a near-term change — about 50% more likely than directors and 80% more likely than C-suite leaders.
While it is likely many of these leaders will not exit their organizations, the risk of losing strong leaders is present, according to B.E. Smith.
3. Organizational culture, compensation package and colleagues were the top factors influencing leaders’ intent to stay. Flexible scheduling, career advancement potential and management followed, with remote work ranking lowest.
4. Only 21% of respondents said they are on a promotion track, and 26% said they feel they must leave their organization to advance.
5. Nearly 3 in 4 executives expect their organization to be the same or stronger in 2026 compared to 2025. However, 52% predict a worse year for the healthcare industry overall.
6. Financial pressures were the most-cited threat for the coming year, named by 84% of respondents. Lowering operating costs was identified as the top performance priority over the next five years (72%).
7. Growth remains a key strategy for financial stability, with 50% of respondents pointing to expanding existing service lines as the most significant path. Cost reductions (38%) and new service lines (37%) followed.
8. Other growth strategies cited include partnerships with payers or other health systems (33%), value-based reimbursement expansion (33%), telehealth (28%) and enhanced consumer marketing (27%).
At Becker's 4th Annual CEO + CFO Roundtable, taking place November 2–5 in Chicago, more than 1,500 hospital and health system executives tackle decisions that determine whether organizations thrive or merely survive: protecting margins under cost pressure, choosing where to grow, renegotiating payer relationships, stabilizing the workforce and proving real ROI on technology. This is where leaders work through them together, face-to-face. Apply for complimentary registration now.
