Ochsner Health CEO Warner Thomas will leave the health system to lead Sutter Health, the companies announced Tuesday.
Thomas, who has been Ochsner Health’s chief executive since 2012, will succeed Sutter Health interim CEO James Conforti on Dec. 1. Former Sutter Health CEO Sarah Krevans retired in January.
The Ochsner Health board appointed Chief Financial Officer Pete November as Thomas’ successor, effective Nov. 1.
“As the first external CEO of this organization in more than 40 years, Warner brings a fresh perspective, strategic vision and an exceptional ability to navigate the dynamic healthcare landscape,” Sutter Health board chair Gubby Barlow said in a news release.
During Thomas' tenure, Ochsner Health tripled its workforce to approximately 36,000 and more than doubled its physicians on staff to more than 2,300, expanded its value-based contracts, and boosted its digital health capabilities. The health system closed an acquisition of seven-hospital Rush Health Systems of Meridian, Mississippi, last month.
New Orleans-based Ochsner Health, a 40-hospital not-for-profit system, reported $138.7 million in operating income on $5.91 billion in revenue last year, increases of 2.8% and 19.4%, respectively, from 2020.
Sutter Health, a 22-hospital not-for-profit system based in Sacramento, California, reported $199 million in operating income on $14.23 billion in operating revenue in 2021. Revenues were 7.6% higher than in 2020, when the company recorded a $321 million operating loss.
