Chuck Stokes will retire as President and CEO of Houston-based Memorial Hermann Health System at the end of the year, the system announced on Wednesday.
Stokes replaced Dr. Benjamin Chu in summer of 2017 after Chu had been in the position for just one year.
"I have been fortunate to serve Memorial Hermann for more than 10 years and have had the distinct pleasure to work alongside some of the most talented and hard-working professionals in health care," Stokes said in a statement.
Stokes started his career in healthcare more than 40 years ago as a registered nurse. He became Memorial Hermann's chief operating officer in 2008. He was named by Modern Healthcare as one of the nation's top 25 COOs in 2017.
Stokes took over as CEO after a period of declining revenues during which nearly 500 employees were laid off.
During his tenue, Memorial Hermann's finances improved but a proposed merger with Baylor Scott & White ended.
The deal would have created the largest not-for-profit system in Texas and one of the nation's largest.
Stokes also joined Civica Rx, a provider-led not-for-profit generic drug company working to produce a stable and more affordable supply of generic drugs.
In a press release, Memorial Hermann's board said it has hired a search firm and will look at both internal and external candidates.
