Brenda Carlisle, CEO of UAB Hospital, will retire at the end of 2026, and Michelle Fortune, the hospital’s executive vice president of hospital operations, will become interim CEO effective Nov. 1.
Carlisle will remain with UAB through the end of the year to help with Fortune’s transition and work with the CEOs of UAB St. Vincent’s Birmingham, UAB St. Vincent’s East and UAB Medical West as the health system establishes a new market president role.
“Brenda’s continued involvement during this transition is extremely valuable to our organization,” said Janet Hadar, chief operating officer of UAB Health System. “Her institutional knowledge will provide important continuity as Michelle assumes responsibility for UAB Hospital. At the same time, her experience across academic and community hospital settings will be an important resource to our community hospital CEOs as we prepare to welcome a new market president. Her expertise during both transitions will help position our hospitals and their leadership teams for continued success.”
Carlisle, whose tenure as CEO began as interim CEO in 2022 and became permanent in 2023, called her time at UAB “one of the greatest privileges of my career.”
“I have had the opportunity to work alongside extraordinary physicians, nurses and employees who demonstrate an unwavering commitment to our patients and to one another,” she said. “I am proud of what we have accomplished together and grateful for the relationships and experiences that have made my time here so meaningful. I have great confidence in Michelle and her ability to lead UAB Hospital forward. Her experience, vision and commitment to our mission will serve the organization well, and I look forward to supporting her and our community hospital leaders during the months ahead.”
