Ascension Honors CEO Joe Impicciche’s Legacy of Mission-Driven Leadership

As 2025 comes to a close, Ascension honors a servant leader whose devotion to our Mission has driven outstanding outcomes for our patients and families and whose influence will continue to guide us forward.

Joe Impicciche, JD, MHA, has shaped both Ascension and the broader healthcare landscape through humble and principled leadership, rooted in faith and driven by compassion. His legacy reflects a deep commitment to people, community impact and the enduring strength of Catholic healthcare. Mr. Impicciche will retire as CEO on December 31, 2025, succeeded by Eduardo Conrado, current President of Ascension.

Mr. Impicciche has spent nearly four decades working in healthcare, including more than 20 years in Catholic health ministries. His career began as legal counsel to Catholic hospitals and culminated in his role as CEO of Ascension, where he championed expanded access to care, especially for underserved communities.

"Joe is an advocate and an empowering difference-maker," said Eduardo Conrado, President and incoming CEO of Ascension. "His steady voice and faith-grounded leadership built a culture where people come first and our Mission guides every decision. As I step into this role, I will carry forward the work he began, the values he lived, and the commitment to those we serve."

Advancing Ascension's Mission to Advocate for Those Most In Need

Throughout his tenure, Mr. Impicciche positioned Ascension as a consistent champion for human dignity, defining what whole-person care means to our Ministry while advancing a value-based approach to care delivery. He placed the poor and vulnerable at the center of Ascension's work - investing billions annually in charity care, community programs and services that directly support the people we serve.

Mr. Impicciche has been a proud advocate for Medicaid expansion, price transparency, drug affordability, food security and community safety. His leadership aligned Ascension with national efforts to advance the common good, including White House initiatives on reducing hunger. He also launched the Ascension Foundation, addressing national priorities like the mortality crisis and building a diverse, future-ready healthcare workforce.

Leading Operational Growth and Stewardship
Under Mr. Impicciche's guidance, Ascension completed the acquisition of AMSURG and its 250 ambulatory surgery centers across 34 states, expanding outpatient access while supporting affordability and convenience. This operational focus reflects his commitment to financial stewardship aligned with Mission-driven service.

Powering Initiatives for Health, Hope and Healing
Mr. Impicciche fostered a culture of psychological safety and compassion. Initiatives like "We've Got Your Back" encouraged associates to raise safety concerns without hesitation. During the COVID-19 pandemic, his steady leadership and emphasis on Mission reinforced people-first decision making across the organization. He also advanced safety and quality, with Ascension hospitals consistently surpassing national benchmarks and patient trust reaching record highs, reflected in a Net Promoter Score above 80.

Strengthening an Engaged Workforce of Healthcare Leaders
Mr. Impicciche invested in reducing administrative burden for nurses and clinicians, supporting well-being, retention and professional growth. Over the past five years, nursing retention averaged 81.96%, while associate engagement initiatives strengthened long-term stability and development.

A hallmark of Mr. Impicciche's leadership was his commitment to developing future leaders. He shaped Ascension's Ministry Leadership Immersion program to help executive leaders deepen their understanding of Ascension's Catholic identity and Mission. More than 400 leaders, from Associate Vice Presidents to Senior Vice Presidents, participated under his direction. Another 400+ leaders engaged directly with him through Ascension's Executive Ministry Leadership development and formation program. He also oversaw the growth of one of the nation's largest residency training programs, emphasizing both education excellence and retention to ensure Catholic healthcare continues forming the next generation of Mission-driven clinicians.

Advancing Catholic Healthcare Ministries

Named multiple times to Modern Healthcare's "100 Most Influential People in Healthcare," Mr. Impicciche chaired the Catholic Health Association Board of Trustees from 2024-2025, where he guided advocacy for over 600 hospitals and 1,600 long-term care facilities. His influence extended through service on the American Hospital Association board, the Healthcare Leadership Council, the Society of St. Vincent de Paul National Foundation and The Catholic University of America.

"It has been my deepest honor to spend the last 20 years of my career serving alongside the Mission-driven caregivers, clinicians, leaders and associates who make Ascension a unified community of healing," said Joe Impicciche. "I am proud of the progress we've made meeting the needs of our patients and communities with reverence, compassion and diligence that reflect the loving ministry of Jesus Christ as healer. I am encouraged by the future of Ascension and reminded that our Mission is as critical today as ever before."

Mr. Impicciche's career reflects a legacy shaped by principled decisions, consistent advocacy and a deep commitment to the Catholic health ministry - one that will continue to influence Ascension for years to come.