Houston-based CHI St. Luke's Health CEO Michael Covert submitted his resignation, effective Aug. 31. He is also stepping down as senior vice president of operations for Englewood, Colo.-based Catholic Health Initiatives, the health system's parent.
Mr. Covert led the health system since August 2014. Neither St. Luke's nor CHI have given a reason for the sudden departure. CHI St. Luke's plans to name interim leadership for the health system in the next two weeks.
During his tenure, Mr. Covert played a key role in growing CHI St. Luke's network to include 17 hospitals as well as several emergency centers and outpatient specialty clinics. He spearheaded the opening of the Springwoods Village Medical Campus in Spring, Texas, among other accomplishments.
Mr. Covert also served at the helm of the health system through challenging times, according to a Houston Chronicle report. From August 2016 to March 2017, CHI's Texas division "cut its payroll by 1,295 jobs, most at CHI St. Luke's," the report notes.
However, Mr. Covert appeared confident the system would overcome the challenges it is facing, in a recent Houston Chronicle interview.
Mr. Covert came to CHI St. Luke's from San Diego-based Palomar Health, where he was president and CEO.