Photo Credit: Memorial HermannHealth
Memorial Hermann President and CEO, David L. Callender, MD, to retire at end of 2026
Memorial Hermann Health System announced today that President and CEO David L. Callender, MD, will retire at the end of the year following seven years of distinguished leadership and service to Memorial Hermann and the Greater Houston community. Alec H. King, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, will succeed Callender as President and CEO effective Jan. 1, 2027.
Since joining Memorial Hermann in 2019, Callender has led the System through a period of significant change and transformation, advancing a multi-year strategy focused on creating greater value for patients and communities, improving access to care, delivering exceptional patient experiences and cultivating a fulfilling environment for Memorial Hermann’s workforce.
Under Dr. Callender’s leadership and guided by an ambitious vision to create healthier communities, Memorial Hermann has significantly expanded its ability to improve health by increasing access, growing clinical capacity, improving quality and safety and investing hundreds of millions of dollars in community health and charity care.
“It has been one of the great privileges of my career to serve Memorial Hermann and the Greater Houston community,” Callender said. “I am incredibly proud of what our employees and physicians have accomplished for our patients and the communities we serve. Together, they have built a larger, stronger and more capable health System, better positioned than ever to create healthier communities across Greater Houston. I have tremendous confidence in Alec and the Memorial Hermann team as they carry this important work forward.”
“Dr. Callender has served as an extraordinary leader and a tireless advocate for the health of our Greater Houston communities,” said Greg L. Armstrong, Chair of the Memorial Hermann Health System Board of Directors. “His leadership has helped transform Memorial Hermann, strengthening our workforce, expanding our impact in the community and accelerating the strategic and digital capabilities that will serve Memorial Hermann for many years to come. He has led with an unwavering commitment to our patients, our workforce and our mission. On behalf of the Board, I want to thank Dr. Callender for his service and the strong foundation he has built for Memorial Hermann’s next chapter.”
Since joining Memorial Hermann in 2020, King has played a central role in the System’s strategy, growth and transformation. His current responsibilities span technology and cybersecurity, supply chain, facilities, revenue cycle, investments, payer relations and direct-to-employer programs. He has also deepened key partnerships, advanced innovative care models and maintained the financial stability needed to invest in Memorial Hermann’s mission amid a rapidly evolving health care environment.
“Alec brings the vision and leadership to guide Memorial Hermann into the future, along with a critical understanding of today’s complex health care environment,” Armstrong said. “He has a demonstrated ability to lead across the enterprise and pair strategic vision with disciplined execution, making him exceptionally well prepared to guide Memorial Hermann through its next era of growth.”
“It is an extraordinary honor to lead Memorial Hermann, which has been an essential part of Greater Houston for more than 119 years as a health care provider, employer and community partner,” said King. “Under Dr. Callender’s leadership, we have built tremendous momentum, and I believe our greatest opportunities lie ahead. As health care continues to evolve and Greater Houston grows, our nonprofit mission calls us to take a long-term view of the communities we serve. I look forward to working alongside our employees and physicians to build on our strength, meet Greater Houston’s changing needs and improve the health of the people and communities we serve.”
The leadership transition is the culmination of a deliberate, multi-year succession planning process focused on developing strong internal leadership talent and preparing Memorial Hermann for its future.
Callender and King will work closely together through the end of the year to ensure a smooth leadership transition and maintain the System’s momentum. Callender’s last day as President and CEO will be Dec. 31, 2026.
Source: Memorial Hermann
