Former AHA Chair John Haupert to retire

Former AHA Board Chair John Haupert, president and CEO of Grady Health System in Atlanta, will retire at the end of this year, the health system announced March 18 as part of a planned leadership transition. Anthony Saul, the current chief operating officer at Grady, will succeed Haupert as president and CEO on Jan. 1, 2027. Haupert, who has led Grady since 2011, will continue to serve in an advisory role for Grady in 2027.

Haupert's career in health care management began at Methodist Health System in Dallas in 1992, where he served for 14 years in various roles, including president of one of the system's hospitals and as executive vice president for corporate services and business development. In 2006, Haupert became the chief operating officer at Parkland Health and Hospital System in Dallas.

Haupert served as the chair of the AHA Board of Trustees in 2023.

"John is a bold and visionary leader whose tenacious commitment to improvements in patient care and expanded access has left Grady Health System, the city of Atlanta and our entire country better off," said AHA President and CEO Rick Pollack. "By dedicating his professional life to serving underserved communities and being a tireless advocate for reducing disparities in health outcomes and bolstering resiliency in the health care field, John has left an indelible legacy in the communities he has served."