Nashville, Tenn.-based HCA Healthcare Chairman and CEO R. Milton Johnson plans to retire and HCA named President and COO Sam Hazen his replacement.
Here's what you should know:
1. Mr. Johnson will retire as CEO, effective Dec. 31. He will retain his chairmanship through the company's annual shareholders' meeting April 26, 2019. At the meeting, Mr. Johnson will retire from the board of directors. HCA plans to name Thomas Frist III the next board chair.
2. Mr. Johnson has been with HCA Healthcare for 36 years.
3. Mr. Hazen is nearing his 36th year with HCA. Before becoming president andCOO, he was the company's president of operations, Western Group president and Western Group CFO.
4. Mr. Hazen said, "I am honored to succeed Milton as the company's CEO and join HCA Healthcare's board of directors. I want to thank Milton for his strong leadership during his many years with the company."
5. Mr. Frist III is the son of HCA founder Thomas Frist Jr.