Amid a rising complexity in the role, several hospitals and health systems across the U.S. saw COO moves in 2025, including retirements, appointments and resignations. The role has evolved in response to industrywide trends, particularly in its increasing responsibilities. This is often seen through collaboration with a broader range of leaders and taking on talent-related and community engagement responsibilities. For future success, COOs will need to thrive in areas such as leveraging technology, maintaining clarity amid chaos, identifying cross-industry patterns and guiding across distributed environments, according to a recent report from executive search firm WittKieffer. Here are 10 notable hospital and health system COO transitions Becker’s reported in 2025. Note: This list highlights transitions that were among the most popular with readers and is not exhaustive. 1. In April, Chad Tuttle was appointed COO of Corewell Health, with dual headquarters in Grand Rapids and Southfield, Mich. Mr. Tuttle had served as COO of the 21-hospital system on an interim basis since December 2024. 2. Edison, N.J.-based Hackensack Meridian Health shared plans to restructure its leadership ahead of COO Mark Stauder’s retirement. Mark Sparta took over as the system’s new COO, effective July 2. 3. The board of Gothenburg (Neb.) Health, a critical access hospital and rural health clinic, placed COO Tinna Therrien, BSN, RN, and CEO Mick Brant on administrative leave at a May 21 board meeting. CFO Andrew Knust was later named CEO. A new COO had not been named as of Dec. 26, according to the organization’s website.…
