Throughout 2026, hospitals and health systems have continued to look inward when searching for a new CEO, with internal promotions spanning operations, finance and clinical leadership.
The COO remains a common steppingstone to the top job, consistent with trends Becker’s has tracked in prior years. But the CFO-to-CEO pipeline is drawing new attention in 2026, with at least two finance chiefs elevated to CEO roles at a time when organizations are under significant margin pressure. Becker’s also reported in May on whether a new path to CEO is gaining prominence as health systems restructure leadership in response to financial and operational headwinds.
The following internal CEO promotions have been recorded by Becker’s since Jan. 1, 2026.
Editor’s note: This list covers internal C-suite-to-CEO promotions recorded by Becker’s since Jan. 1, 2026. Some leaders held dual titles before their promotion; those moves are listed under all applicable categories. Interim appointments are included. This is not an exhaustive list. To submit a move we’ve missed, email kgooch@beckershealthcare.com.
COO to CEO — 8 appointments
1. Ben Nielsen was promoted from COO to president and CEO of Waconia, Minn.-based Ridgeview, succeeding Mike Phelps effective June 14.
2. Jonathan Curtright was named president and CEO of Oklahoma City-based OU Health, succeeding Richard Lofgren, MD, effective July 1. Mr. Curtright had served as the system’s COO since 2022.
3. Lynn Carpenter was selected as the next president and CEO of Lima (Ohio) Memorial Health System, succeeding Mike Swick upon his July retirement. Ms. Carpenter had served more than 30 years with the system, most recently as president and COO.
4. Scott Chapple, administrator and COO of Oroville (Calif.) Hospital, was named next president and CEO pending court approval of the leadership transition plan.
5. Dan Weatherly, COO of Fayetteville, N.C.-based Cape Fear Valley Health, was named interim CEO upon Michael Nagowski’s retirement effective July.
6. Scott Cihak, COO of Ascension Wisconsin, was named interim CEO of the Ascension Wisconsin Ministry Market.
7. Philip Reber, COO of Lakewood Ranch (Fla.) Medical Center, was appointed interim CEO after Rob Anderson’s resignation.
8. Joe Britner was named CEO of HCA Florida Woodmont Hospital in Tamarac, returning to the organization where he had previously served as COO.
President to CEO — 3 appointments
1. David Kim, MD, president of Fountain Valley, Calif.-based MemorialCare, will succeed Barry Arbuckle, PhD, as CEO effective July 1 after Dr. Arbuckle transitions to executive chairman.
2. Florence Chang will succeed Bill Robertson as president and CEO of Tacoma, Wash.-based MultiCare Health System effective Jan. 1, 2027. Ms. Chang has spent more than two decades with the system and has served as president since 2022, previously holding the role of executive vice president and COO.
3. Winjie Tang Miao will take over as CEO of Arlington-based Texas Health Resources upon Barclay Berdan’s retirement in September. Ms. Tang Miao has served as president since April 5 and as COO since 2022.
CFO to CEO — 2 appointments
1. Doug Shirley, who has served as CFO of Louisville, Ky.-based ScionHealth since April 2025, was named CEO.
2. Henry Capote was promoted from CFO to CEO of HCA Florida Highlands Hospital in Sebring, effective April 13. He has more than 20 years of healthcare finance and leadership experience.
Chief clinical officer to CEO — 1 appointment
1. Kari Quickenden, PharmD, chief clinical officer of Memorial Hospital of Sweetwater County in Rock Springs, Wyo., was named interim CEO upon Irene Richardson’s retirement.
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