Hospital CEO Turnover Rate Shows Small Decrease

CHICAGO, Sept. 15, 2020 – Hospital CEO positions turned over at a rate of 17 percent in 2019, according to a recent report by the American College of Healthcare Executives. This represents a small decrease from turnover rates over the last five years, which have held steady at 18 percent. The past eight years is the longest period during which hospital CEO turnover rates were 17 percent or higher since the study began in the early 1980s. 

“Despite the slight drop in 2019, turnover rates in recent years remain at higher levels than in the past,” says Deborah J. Bowen, FACHE, CAE, ACHE's president/CEO. “Organizations are evolving to meet a changing healthcare environment, resulting in restructuring and the movement of CEOs to different positions within health systems. In addition, more CEOs are reaching retirement age. Our turnover data underline the importance of organizations maintaining a focus on succession planning and developing our new healthcare leaders.”

The CEO turnover rates in this report are based on changes in an organization's CEO, as reported to the American Hospital Association and confirmed from ACHE data and public sources.

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^{*  Nonfederal short term, general medical and surgical hospitals.
** Rates before 2016 are statistically adjusted to correct for errors in reporting. Based on a telephone survey in 2017 using a sample of 300 hospitals, we determined that adjustment of the 2016 and later rates was not necessary.}

About the American College of Healthcare Executives
The American College of Healthcare Executives is an international professional society of more than 48,000 healthcare executives who lead hospitals, healthcare systems and other healthcare organizations. ACHE’s mission is to advance our members and healthcare management excellence. ACHE offers its prestigious FACHE^® credential, signifying board certification in healthcare management. ACHE's established network of 77 chapters provides access to networking, education and career development at the local level. In addition, ACHE is known for its magazine, Healthcare Executive, and its career development and public policy programs. Through such efforts, ACHE works toward its vision of being the preeminent professional society for leaders dedicated to improving health. The Foundation of the American College of Healthcare Executives was established to further advance healthcare management excellence through education and research. The Foundation of ACHE is known for its educational programs—including the annual Congress on Healthcare Leadership, which draws more than 4,000 participants—and groundbreaking research. Its publishing division, Health Administration Press, is one of the largest publishers of books and journals on health services management including textbooks for college and university courses. For more information, visit ache.org.

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American College of Healthcare Executives
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faustin@ache.org