A succession process for his replacement has now begun and Cosgrove will stay on at the clinic in an advisory role, according to a news release. The clinic also said his successor will be a practicing physician, keeping up with the system’s long history as a physician-led institution.
“It is an honor and a privilege to be a part of an extraordinary and forward-thinking organization that puts patients at the center of everything we do,” Cosgrove said in statement.
During his nearly 13 years at the helm, Cosgrove led the prestigious institution through widespread expansion. But his tenure has also been marred with controversy, especially recently due to his ties with the Trump administration.
Under his leadership, revenue at the clinic grew from $3.7 billion in 2004 to $8.5 billion in 2016. He oversaw growth by establishing multiple new locations nationwide and internationally, including setting up services in Canada and Abu Dhabi.
Cosgrove recently received some backlash because of his ties to the Trump administration. He was among perspective cabinet picks who met with Trump in December to lead the Veterans Affairs Department. Although Cosgrove ultimately declined the role, he remains an advisor for Trump.
The clinic also faced controversy in February when it refused to cancel a fundraiser at President Trump’s resort in Florida. Hundreds of medical students and doctors signed a letter asking the clinic to cancel the fundraiser scheduled after Trump signed an executive order that banned one of its doctors from re-entering the U.S.
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Maria Castellucci is a general assignment reporter covering spot news for Modern Healthcare’s website and print edition. She writes about finances, acquisitions and other healthcare topics in markets across the country. Castellucci is a graduate of Columbia College Chicago and started working at Modern Healthcare in September 2015.