Many Large Health Systems Lack Permanent CIOs

As of late September 2026, 17 of the nation's 200 largest health systems are operating without a permanent chief information officer.

Updated on Oct. 15, 2026 in Healthcare

Isometric editorial illustration of a detached modular block from a structured grid, representing systemic executive vacancies in healthcare organizations. — Seventeen of the 200 largest U.S. health systems are operating without a permanent chief information officer as of late September 2026. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Does high executive turnover in local health systems concern you regarding the quality of care?

Data from late September 2026 reveals that 17 of the 200 largest health systems in the United States currently lack a permanent chief information officer. This turnover trend includes several high-profile departures across major hospital networks in recent months.

Why it matters

The high vacancy rate reflects a competitive job market where technology leaders frequently move between organizations to accept new digital or IT roles. Many systems are left without clear leadership transition plans, as only 39% of healthcare organizations reported having a formal CIO succession plan in 2024.

As of late September 2026, 17 of the 200 largest health systems by revenue operated without a permanent CIO. Only 39% of healthcare organizations reported having a formal CIO succession plan in 2024.

The players

Paola Arbour

She has led technology at Tenet Healthcare since 2018 and will retire at the end of 2026.

Anika Gardenhire

She departed Ardent Health in January 2026 to take a position at Michigan Medicine.

Bill Bellando

He left his role at Wellstar Health System in June 2026 to join Geisinger.

Keith Rivera

He moved from Presbyterian Healthcare Services to Nebraska Medicine in June 2026.

Jeffrey Sturman

He concluded his tenure at Memorial Healthcare System in September 2025.

The details

Health systems often rely on internal appointments or executive search firms to manage operations while searching for permanent replacements. This churn follows a period of frequent departures, including moves involving leaders at Ardent Health, Wellstar Health System, and Tenet Healthcare.

September 2025: Jeffrey Sturman left Memorial Healthcare System.
January 2026: Anika Gardenhire departed Ardent Health.
June 2026: Bill Bellando and Keith Rivera transitioned to new employers.
Late September 2026: Seventeen health systems reported having no permanent CIO.
End of 2026: Paola Arbour is scheduled to retire from Tenet Healthcare.

Market Landscape

The current executive instability highlights a broader industry challenge where hospital systems struggle to retain top-tier technology talent. This shift follows the pattern set by the 2024 healthcare organization CIO succession plan reporting rate, which revealed a lack of long-term planning for leadership changes.

Patients may experience shifts in digital health initiatives or hospital portal services as systems navigate periods of executive transition. Hospitals without permanent leadership may face delays in implementing new patient-facing technology tools.

The takeaway

Healthcare systems currently face significant leadership instability due to high turnover and limited succession planning. Organizations should prioritize internal development and formal transition strategies to maintain continuity in their digital operations.