America’s Essential Hospitals CEO announces retirement

After four decades in healthcare and a long tenure leading America’s Essential Hospitals, Bruce Siegel, MD, has announced his plans to step away.

Bruce Siegel, the president and CEO of America’s Essential Hospitals, announced his intention to retire at the end of 2025.

Siegel, the president and CEO of America’s Essential Hospitals, announced his intention to retire at the end of 2025. He informed the organization’s board last month that he wants to close out his career.

America’s Essential Hospitals represents more than 300 safety net hospitals. Siegel has led the organization since October 2010. But he said it’s the right time time to step away.

“Serving our member hospitals and health systems has been my privilege and the capstone of my career,” Siegel said in a statement. “But as I approach my 65th birthday, the time is right to pass the torch to a new generation of leaders and devote more time to my family and the next chapter.”

Siegel has been an ardent champion for investments in Medicaid to help Americans with low incomes, and the hospitals that treat them.

After Donald Trump won the presidential election last fall, Siegel said, “We stand ready to work with the new administration and Congress to strengthen health care for all people by protecting Medicaid and other programs that help working families and others stay well and productive.”

The organization has also urged lawmakers and the White House to preserve the 340B Drug Pricing Program, which enables hospitals serving disadvantaged communities to purchase medications at lower prices.

Siegel also helped secure $15 billion in federal funding for safety-net hospitals during the COVID-19 pandemic, the organization said.

“I’m proud of all we’ve accomplished to help our hospitals improve care for our most vulnerable populations and to model inclusion, as a member-driven association,” Siegel said in a statement.

Jacob Cintron, the board chair of America’s Essential Hospitals and president and CEO of University Medical Center of El Paso, praised Siegel’s contributions.

“Bruce has elevated our association to the next level, ensuring it remains the foremost champion for hospitals that care for the many patients who face social and financial barriers to healthcare access,” Cintron said in a statement. “He’ll be sorely missed, but he leaves America’s Essential Hospitals in a stronger position to meet the next challenges and opportunities for our safety net hospitals.”

Siegel has held a number of leadership posts in the healthcare industry. He served in the New Jersey Department of Health for years and was appointed as New Jersey’s state health commissioner in 1992.

In 1994, Siegel moved to a new role as president of New York City Health and Hospitals Corporation, which is now known as NYC Health+Hospitals. Siegel also served as president and CEO of Tampa General Healthcare, now Tampa General Hospital, from July 1996 to February 2000.