On Rotation: February 2026

It’s been an extra busy month in healthcare workforce news.

While Valentine’s Day may have put commitment top of mind, February ultimately delivered a wave of high-profile breakups between C-suite leaders and major companies spanning from pharmaceuticals to health insurance. While most of the shake-ups were exits, don’t worry—there were some high-profile additions, too.

Welcome to this month’s On Rotation!

Ralph Abraham. The CDC’s No. 2 stepped down from his role as principal deputy director on Feb. 23 due to “unforeseen family obligations” just two months after being sworn in, per an agency news release.

Jay Bhattacharya. In yet another federal agency shake-up, Bhattacharya, the head of the National Institutes of Health, was made acting director of the CDC as well on Feb. 18, replacing Jim O’Neill, who left in mid-February.

Heather Cianfrocco. After 24 years, Cianfrocco is leaving UnitedHealth Group, she shared in a Feb. 27 LinkedIn post. She had served as EVP of governance, compliance, and information security since April 2025 and was previously CEO of United’s health services subsidiary, Optum.

Mark Dawson. This Australian oncologist will head up Roche’s pharma research and early development department, effective May 1, the biopharma announced on Feb. 17.

James Downing. After 12 years, the president and CEO of Memphis, Tennessee-based St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital is stepping down. He’ll transition to a faculty role in St. Jude’s department of global pediatric medicine in late 2026, the health system said in a Feb. 19 release.

Peter Haytaian. Elevance announced Feb. 26 that Haytaian is leaving his role as EVP and president of the insurer’s healthcare services arm, Carelon, effective May 4. Mark Kaye, Elevance’s EVP and CFO, will add overseeing Carelon to his responsibilities.

Paul Hudson. Sanofi’s board of directors ousted Hudson from his role as CEO, effective Feb. 17. Merck CEO Belén Garijo will replace him on April 29, per a Sanofi release.

Doug Ingram. Sarepta Therapeutics’s CEO of nearly a decade is retiring by the end of 2026 after a rocky year. He said in the company’s Q4 2025 earnings call he’s leaving to spend time with two immediate family members, who, “in a shocking and ironic twist of fate,” were both diagnosed with muscular dystrophy, Stat reported Feb. 25.

Freda Lewis-Hall. Pfizer’s former EVP and chief medical officer is joining the board of directors and becoming chair of the scientific advisory committee at clinical stage biopharma Helus Pharma, the company announced Feb. 24.