Ron Rittenmeyer, former chairman and chief executive officer of for-profit hospital chain Tenet Healthcare, passed away on October 11, at the age of 75.
Rittenmeyer stepped down as chairman October 1 for unspecified health reasons. Bob Kerrey, a former U.S. senator (D-Neb.) and chief director at Tenet, has taken his place as president. Kerrey, 79, served as governor of Nebraska before winning the Senate seat.
A Tenet spokesperson said: “We are deeply saddened by the passing of Ron Rittenmeyer, a dear friend and colleague. “Ron’s commitment to improving healthcare will have a lasting impact on Tenet Healthcare and the communities we serve. Our thoughts are with the Rittenmeyer family, and we are respecting their request for privacy.”
Rittenmeyer was CEO of 61 Tenet hospitals from 2017 to 2021, when he was replaced by Dr. Saum Sutaria, the former chief executive officer of the Dallas-based company.
Tenet, which also operates ambulatory surgery center subsidiary United Surgery International Partners and revenue cycle subsidiary Conifer Health Solutions, reported a net income of $915 million in 2021. , up from $399 million in 2020. It received $205 million in COVID-19 relief funding in 2021 and $899 million in 2020.
The health system sold acute care hospitals in smaller markets and steadily acquired ambulatory surgery centers.
