Sam Hazen is the CEO of HCA Healthcare, the largest for-profit hospital operator in the United States. Appointed CEO on January 1, 2019, Hazen has spent his entire career at HCA, joining the company in 1983 — over 42 years ago. Under his leadership, HCA Healthcare (NYSE: HCA) has grown to operate 191 hospitals and approximately 2,500 ambulatory sites of care across 20 states and the United Kingdom, generating $75.6 billion in revenue in 2025. With a market capitalization exceeding $121 billion, HCA Healthcare is one of the most valuable healthcare companies in the world and has been named to Fortune’s World’s Most Admired Companies list for 12 consecutive years.
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Sam Hazen – Quick Facts
Early Life & Education
Sam Hazen was born circa 1961 and grew up in Cumberland, Kentucky, a small coal-mining town in Harlan County in southeastern Kentucky. Growing up in Appalachian Kentucky, Hazen developed the work ethic and determination that would carry him through four decades at one of America’s largest corporations.
Hazen earned his Bachelor of Science in Finance from the University of Kentucky (Gatton College of Business and Economics) in 1982. He was later inducted into the Gatton Alumni Hall of Fame in 2016 in recognition of his distinguished career. He subsequently earned his Master of Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) in 1988 while already working in the healthcare industry.
Career at HCA Healthcare
Sam Hazen’s career is remarkable for its singular focus: over 42 years spent entirely within the HCA organization. After graduating with his finance degree, he joined HCA in 1983 in an entry-level finance position and steadily rose through the ranks over the following decades.
Sam Hazen Career Timeline
Before 1995, Hazen held finance and operating leadership roles not only at HCA but also at Humana Inc. and Galen Health Care, Inc. (which was spun off from Humana in 1993 and then merged with HCA). This experience gave him a deep understanding of hospital finance and operations across multiple health systems.
CEO of HCA Healthcare
Sam Hazen was named CEO of HCA Healthcare on January 1, 2019, succeeding R. Milton Johnson, who had led the company since 2014. Hazen also serves on HCA Healthcare’s Board of Directors, a position he has held since 2018.
Under Hazen’s leadership, HCA Healthcare has experienced exceptional growth. The company’s revenue has increased from $46.7 billion in 2018 (the year before he became CEO) to $75.6 billion in 2025 — a growth of over 60%. HCA has expanded its hospital network from 179 to 191 hospitals and invested heavily in technology, artificial intelligence, and patient care innovations.
Leadership & Achievements
Hazen has been widely recognized for his leadership in the healthcare industry. Key accomplishments include:
- Revenue Growth: Grew HCA Healthcare from $46.7B (2018) to $75.6B (2025) — a 62% increase in just six years
- COVID-19 Response: Led one of the nation’s largest hospital systems through the pandemic, coordinating care across 20 states
- Technology & AI: Spearheaded HCA’s digital transformation and AI initiatives, using machine learning to improve clinical decision-making and patient outcomes at scale
- Fortune’s Most Admired: HCA Healthcare has been named to Fortune’s World’s Most Admired Companies list for 12 consecutive years, ranking #1 in the Medical Facilities category
- Gatton Alumni Hall of Fame: Inducted in 2016 by the University of Kentucky’s Gatton College of Business and Economics
- Board Service: Serves on the Board of Directors for the Nashville Health Care Council, the HCA Foundation, and the Federation of American Hospitals
- Business Roundtable Member: Active participant in shaping U.S. business and healthcare policy
Personal Life
Sam Hazen lives in Nashville, Tennessee — the healthcare capital of America and home to HCA Healthcare’s headquarters. He is married to his wife Glenna, and together they have two sons, Luke and John.
Originally from Cumberland, Kentucky, a small Appalachian coal town, Hazen’s journey from rural Kentucky to the helm of a $121 billion healthcare empire is a remarkable story of perseverance and dedication. His 42+ year single-company career at HCA is one of the longest tenures of any current Fortune 500 CEO.
Hazen is known for his focus on patient care and community health. He actively supports healthcare education and development through the HCA Foundation and the Nashville Health Care Council.
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Sam Hazen Net Worth 2026 – HCA Healthcare CEO Salary
As of 2026, Sam Hazen’s net worth is estimated at approximately $190–730 million, based on his substantial HCA Healthcare stock holdings and SEC insider trading filings. Hazen beneficially owns over 2.1 million shares of HCA Healthcare stock (including shares issuable upon exercise of stock appreciation rights), representing less than 1% of shares outstanding but worth hundreds of millions at current prices.
HCA Healthcare CEO Compensation Breakdown (FY2024)
HCA Healthcare Financial Summary (FY2025 vs FY2024)
HCA Healthcare CEO Email Address | Sam Hazen Contact
Below are the official contact details for HCA Healthcare CEO Sam Hazen:
HCA Healthcare Competitors
HCA Healthcare operates in the highly competitive for-profit hospital and healthcare services industry. Key competitors include:
- Tenet Healthcare — Operates 49 hospitals and approximately 450 ambulatory sites of care across the U.S.
- Community Health Systems (CHS) — Operates approximately 70 hospitals in 15 states
- Universal Health Services (UHS) — Operates over 400 acute care and behavioral health facilities
- CommonSpirit Health — One of the largest nonprofit health systems with 140+ hospitals
- Ascension Health — Nonprofit system with 140+ hospitals across 19 states
- Kaiser Permanente — Integrated managed care consortium with 39 hospitals
About HCA Healthcare
HCA Healthcare, Inc. is an American for-profit healthcare company headquartered in Nashville, Tennessee. Founded in 1968 by Dr. Thomas Frist Sr., Jack Massey, and Dr. Thomas Frist Jr., HCA Healthcare is the largest for-profit hospital operator in the United States and one of the largest healthcare companies in the world by revenue.
The company operates 191 hospitals and approximately 2,500 ambulatory care sites — including surgery centers, freestanding emergency rooms, urgent care centers, and physician clinics — across 20 states and the United Kingdom. HCA Healthcare employs approximately 316,000 people and treats over 37 million patient encounters annually.
In 2006, HCA was taken private in the largest leveraged buyout in history at that time ($33 billion), backed by Bain Capital, KKR, and Merrill Lynch. The company returned to public markets with its 2011 IPO and today trades on the NYSE under ticker symbol HCA, with a market capitalization exceeding $121 billion.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Who is the current CEO of HCA Healthcare?
The current CEO of HCA Healthcare is Samuel N. (Sam) Hazen, who was appointed Chief Executive Officer on January 1, 2019, succeeding R. Milton Johnson. Hazen has been with HCA for over 42 years, having joined the company in 1983. He also serves on HCA Healthcare’s Board of Directors.
What is Sam Hazen’s net worth in 2026?
As of 2026, Sam Hazen’s net worth is estimated at approximately $190–730 million, primarily based on his disclosed HCA Healthcare stock holdings. He beneficially owns over 2.1 million shares of HCA Healthcare stock, including shares issuable upon exercise of stock appreciation rights (SARs).
What is HCA Healthcare CEO’s salary?
Sam Hazen’s total compensation for fiscal year 2024 was approximately $23.8 million, including a $1.54 million base salary, $5.12 million annual cash bonus, $8.42 million in stock awards (PSUs), $8.16 million in stock options (SARs), and $190K in other compensation. Over 93% of his pay is performance-based.
What is HCA Healthcare CEO’s email address?
HCA Healthcare uses the email format [email protected]. The corporate headquarters can be reached at One Park Plaza, Nashville, TN 37203, by phone at (615) 344-9551, or via investor relations at [email protected].
How big is HCA Healthcare?
HCA Healthcare is the largest for-profit hospital operator in the United States. It operates 191 hospitals and approximately 2,500 ambulatory sites of care across 20 states and the United Kingdom. The company generated $75.6 billion in revenue in 2025, employs approximately 316,000 people, and has a market capitalization exceeding $121 billion.
Who founded HCA Healthcare?
HCA Healthcare was founded in 1968 by Dr. Thomas Frist Sr., Jack Massey, and Dr. Thomas Frist Jr. in Nashville, Tennessee. The company pioneered the for-profit hospital management model and grew to become the largest for-profit healthcare system in the world.
Article last updated:January 2026March 4, 2026
Disclaimer: All information presented in this article has been compiled from publicly available sources, including SEC filings, official company press releases, and reputable news outlets. Net worth figures are estimates based on disclosed stock holdings and may vary by source. This content is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial or investment advice.