Dive Brief:
- Mayo Clinic President and CEO Dr. John Noseworthy has announced plans to retire at the end of this year.
- Noseworthy has been at the organization for 28 years, nine as president and CEO.
- The organization hopes to identify a new president and CEO by early fall.
Dive Insight:
The announcement comes on the heels of Mayo Clinic generating $3.7 billion in a fundraising campaign.
“I am honored that the board of trustees asked me to serve another year, through the end of 2018, Noseworthy said in a prepared statement. “2017 was an extraordinary year for Mayo Clinic, and I look forward to working with our leadership team throughout 2018 to continue to strengthen Mayo Clinic and advance our humanitarian mission.”
Mayo Clinic under Noseworthy increased its patient volume from 1 million in 2010 to more than 1.3 million in 2016, according to a fact sheet from the organization. The provider also increased revenues from $7.9 billion in 2010 to $12 billion in 2017.
Not all of Noseworthy's decisions have been met with enthusiasm.
Last March, Noseworthy said the Mayo Clinic will prioritize patients with private insurance over Medicaid if they seek care at the same time for similar conditions.
After criticism, he later clarified the new policy in a statement saying a patient's medical need remains the “primary factor in determining and setting an appointment." Noseworthy added he regretted using the word "prioritized" in the internal discussion.
Noseworthy also has continued with plans to consolidate its Albert Lea hospital services with a facility 25 miles away, an unpopular move among Albert Lea residents. Unionized workers at that hospital were barred from returning to work following a one-day strike in late December.
The board had asked Noseworthy to stay longer, according to the chair of the board of trustees.
“We would have welcomed Dr. Noseworthy serving even longer, but we respect his personal decision to retire and are confident in the strong pool of succession candidates,” Samuel Di Piazza, chair, Mayo Clinic Board of Trustees, said in the statement.