On Rotation: March 2026

Every month, we compile a roundup to help our readers keep track of who’s in and who’s out at major hospital systems, startups, biotechs, and everything in between.

One of the most notable pieces of March job news is an appointment that didn’t happen: CDC director. The White House missed a March 25 procedural deadline to nominate a new leader. The former interim director, Jay Bhattacharya, no longer has the title due to a time limit on temporary positions, though outlets including the Washington Post reported he will keep doing the duties of a CDC leader anyway.

Curious what leadership changes actually happened in March 2026? Read on.

Have a job announcement to share? Drop Caroline an email at [email protected].

Tom Allen. The American Medical Manufacturers Association, a lobbying group for medical product manufacturers and suppliers, announced Allen had been elected as its new president on March 9. He’s also CEO of New York-based PPE manufacturer Altor Safety.

Jeff Balser. After nearly 20 years as president and CEO of Tennessee-based Vanderbilt Health and dean of Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Balser will retire Dec. 31. A replacement hasn’t yet been selected, per a March 12 release.

Patrick Conway. On March 5, post-acute healthcare platform PACS Group announced Conway, the CEO of UnitedHealth Group’s health services subsidiary Optum, was joining its board of directors.

Kristy Duffey. On March 31, Elevance Health announced Duffey will be the new president of Carelon Health, its healthcare services arm, as part of a wave of leadership appointments. The company announced prior president Peter Haytaian’s departure in February.

Brian Evanko. The Cigna Group’s current CEO David Cordani will retire from the position on July 1 after nearly 17 years at the helm, handing the reins to Evanko, the group’s current president and COO, per a March 3 release.

Tim Ferris. The former National Health Services England leader has a new role: the inaugural VP of healthcare practice at InterSystems. The data technology provider announced the appointment in a March 9 press release.

Alanna Nielsen. Virtual behavioral health provider Rula Health announced Nielsen as its COO on March 3. She’s coming to the company after 20 years at Amazon, where she most recently served as director of fashion and fitness.

Anh Pham. On March 23, integrated medical care provider CareMore Health announced Pham as its new chief medical officer, replacing Gregory Whisman. Pham was most recently chief medical officer of Optum California, per her LinkedIn.

Anthony Saul. Atlanta-based Grady Health System’s current COO is getting promoted. Saul was named president along with his current title, effective March 18. He will also take on the role of CEO at the end of 2026 after the system’s most recent president and CEO, John Haupert, retires.

Eric Topol. Venture capital firm Flagship Pioneering announced Topol’s appointment as an academic advisor on March 17. Topol, the founder and director of the Scripps Research Translational Institute, will focus on supporting Flagship’s efforts to advance preventative healthcare.

David Zaas. Durham-based Duke University Health System tapped Zaas as its new CEO on March 25. Zaas—currently president and CEO of Advocate Health’s Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist—worked at Duke University Health System for almost 20 years before leaving in 2020 and will return as CEO on May 1. The last Duke Health CEO, Craig Albanese, left on Sept. 30.