After six years as Ascension CEO, Joseph Impicciche plans to retire at the end of the year. He has worked in Catholic health care for two decades. Eduardo Conrado, who has been Ascension president since 2023, will succeed Impicciche as CEO, effective Jan. 1, 2026.
In a June 24 press release, Ascension said this is a long-planned transition that reflects the system's thoughtful approach to succession planning. In the release, Stan Starnes, chair of the Ascension Board of Directors, lauded Impicciche's "steady leadership, moral clarity and deep commitment to our mission."
Impicciche was an attorney and general counsel for St. Vincent Health in Indianapolis, part of Ascension Indiana, when in 2004 he joined Ascension as senior vice president, legal services, and general counsel. He became Ascension president and chief operating officer in January 2019 before becoming president and CEO in July of that year. In 2023, Ascension restructured the position, with Impicciche remaining CEO and Conrado becoming president. Conrado had been Ascension executive vice president and chief strategy innovation officer just prior to his promotion to the president role.
In the release on the retirement, Ascension highlighted Impicciche's focus on expanding access to care, particularly for underserved people and communities. It also noted his leadership in Ascension's use of technology to enhance compassionate, personalized care. The release noted that under Impicciche's lead, Ascension strengthened its advocacy work, launched community initiatives and played a key role in national conversations on drug affordability, community safety and other pressing public health issues.
The release also noted that under Impicciche's leadership, Ascension made strategic investments in community health, expanded ambulatory services, changed its health care delivery model and addressed the root causes of health disparities.
In the release, Impicciche said "serving this ministry has been one of the greatest honors of my life."
Impicciche just concluded his term as chair of the CHA Board of Trustees. Sr. Mary Haddad, RSM, CHA president and CEO, said in the release on Impicciche's retirement that his "legacy will endure in the lives touched by his service and the communities strengthened by his dedication to compassion and human dignity."
Across 16 states and the District of Columbia, Ascension's network includes 94 wholly owned or consolidated hospitals, and ownership interests in 27 additional hospitals through partnerships. Ascension also operates 30 senior living facilities and various other care sites offering outpatient care.