Buffalo, N.Y.-based Catholic Health Joseph D. McDonald announced his plans to retire in early 2018, according to The Buffalo News.
Here are eight things to know:
1. Mr. McDonald, who served 15-plus years at the helm of Catholic Health, has a contract running through 2020. He decided to take an "out option," according to the report.
2. During his tenure, the health system doubled its financial position to become a $1.2 billion organization.
3. He helped grow the heart surgery service line at Mercy Hospital and neonatal intensive care at Sisters of Charity Hospital, both based in Buffalo.
4. Mr. McDonald noted a number of reasons that influenced his decision, namely medical issues, including a knee surgery, and deaths in the family.
5. He also noted the challenging contract negotiations with workers unions. In July 2016, Workers at Catholic Health's Mercy Hospital voted 96 percent in favor of strike authorization, allowing 2,200 employees, represented by Communications Workers of America Local 1133, to call a strike if they wished. In September 2016, workers across three Catholic Health hospitals approved union contracts with the health system.
6. Mr. McDonald told The Buffalo News, "I was thinking about this last year as we were having all the labor conflicts. 'Is this conducive to personal longevity?' I asked myself. Maybe it's time to think about what the next chapter will look like."
7. He will continue to serve as health system CEO until a successor is selected and will then help ensure a smooth transition.
8. Post-retirement, Mr. McDonald plans to consult and continue serving on organizational boards, the report notes.