Tax-exempt organizations, which include many hospitals and health systems, provided compensation of $1 million or more to 2,700 employees in 2014, according to The Wall Street Journal's analysis of Internal Revenue Service records.
Roughly 75 percent of the tax-exempt organizations that provided compensation packages of $1 million or more in 2014 were involved in healthcare. Most of the compensation packages included in WSJ's analysis included deferred compensation contributions.
Each of the five employees who received the largest compensation packages from nonprofit organizations in 2014 brought in more than $10 million. Three of the top five highest paid employees were healthcare CEOs.
St. Louis-based Ascension President and CEO Anthony Tersigni, EdD, received the largest compensation package in 2014. His total compensation, which includes base pay, bonuses and other compensation, was $17.6 million. Stephen Dufilho, a board member on Ascension's executive compensation committee, told WSJ Ascension collaborates with compensation consultants to ensure pay is fair.
Former Chairman and CEO of Oakland, Calif.-based Kaiser Permanente George C. Halvorson ranked third on the list of employees who received the largest compensation packages from nonprofits. His compensation totaled $10.4 million in 2014. Since Mr. Halvorson retired in 2013, his 2014 compensation package included remaining incentive plan payments and benefits, according to WSJ.
New Hyde Park, N.Y.-based Northwell Health President and CEO Michael Dowling was the fifth highest paid employee of a tax-exempt organization in 2014. His compensation package totaled $10.1 million, which includes base pay, bonuses and other compensation such as retirement payout. Like Ascension, Northwell Health works with compensation consultants, according to WSJ.
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