Hospital CEO exits up 6% year over year: 4 things to know

Advertisement

Hospitals reported 85 CEO exits from January through August 2025 — a nearly 6% increase from 80 recorded during the same period in 2024.

The finding is from executive coaching firm Challenger, Gray & Christmas’ Sept. 30 report examining CEO turnovers in the U.S.

Four things to know:

1. Seven of the 85 CEO exits that hospitals reported through August 2025 occurred in August.

2. Across 29 industries and sectors, 1,504 CEOs departed through August in 2025, up 4% from 1,450 the same period last year. This is the highest year-to-date total since the firm began tracking CEO exits in 2002, according to Challenger. 

3. In August 2025, specifically, 146 CEO exits were reported across industries — up from 123 the month prior.

4. In healthcare, Becker’s has reported about 145 hospital and health system CEO exits since Jan. 2, including retirements and resignations.

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.

Register to Attend Webinar

Beyond the bottleneck: How health systems are improving access, flow and care continuity

Thursday, July 30
1:00 PM - 2:00 PM CDT

Presenters: Imamu Tomlinson, MD, MBA, VituityWilliam Morice II, MD, PhD, Mayo Clinic LaboratoriesJordan Dale, MD, Houston MethodistAsh Tengshe, City of HopeChris Klay, MHA, MA, PT, FACHE, Hospital Sisters Health System

Advertisement

Next Up in Leadership & Management

Advertisement