Memorial Hermann CEO David Callender will retire Dec. 31, succeeded by CFO Alec King on Jan. 1
David L. Callender will step down as president and CEO of Memorial Hermann Health System on Dec. 31, the health system announced Sept. 28. His seven years in the role included expansion of patient access and hundreds of millions of dollars in community and charity care spending.
Alec H. King, Memorial Hermann's executive vice president and chief financial officer, will become president and CEO on Jan. 1, according to the release. King was selected after a search that lasted several years and focused on internal leadership and the future direction of Memorial Hermann, the system said.
Callender said in the release that leading the system was one of the defining roles of his career. Memorial Hermann operates 391 Greater Houston locations.
"It has been one of the great privileges of my career to serve Memorial Hermann and the Greater Houston community," Callender said. "I am incredibly proud of what our employees and physicians have accomplished for our patients and the communities we serve."
Memorial Hermann said Callender joined in 2019 with goals of giving patients and communities better value, improving healthcare access, strengthening the patient experience and building a stable environment for system employees. During his tenure, the network added clinical capacity and expanded access to care while directing hundreds of millions of dollars toward community programs and charity care, the release said.
King joined Memorial Hermann in 2020 and has overseen technology and cybersecurity, supply chain, facilities, revenue cycle, investments, payer relations and direct employer programs. The release said he has been central to the system's strategy, growth and transformation, developing partnerships and advancing new care models while preserving Memorial Hermann's financial position.
King credited Callender with preparing the organization for the next phase of leadership, according to the release.
"It is an extraordinary honor to lead Memorial Hermann, which has been an essential part of Greater Houston for more than 119 years as a healthcare provider, employer and community partner," King said. "Under Dr. Callender's leadership, we have built tremendous momentum and I believe our greatest opportunities lie ahead."
Memorial Hermann said Callender and King are working together through the end of the year to manage the transition and keep the system on its current path.
