WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – Novant Health today announced that Carl S. Armato, president and CEO, will retire effective Dec. 31, 2026, concluding a tenure defined by significant transformation and a steadfast commitment to improving the health of the communities Novant Health serves. John H. Gizdic, executive vice president and chief operating officer, will become president and interim chief executive officer effective Jan. 1, 2027.
Armato joined Novant Health in 1998 as vice president of finance and operations for its physician divisions in Charlotte and Winston-Salem and went on to serve in a series of leadership roles across the organization, including senior vice president of materials management and logistics, chief operating officer and president and CEO of the Charlotte market, president of Novant Health markets and system chief operating officer. He was appointed president and CEO of Novant Health in January 2012.
During his nearly three decades with Novant Health, including 15 years as president and CEO, Armato has helped guide the organization through extraordinary change in healthcare. Under his leadership as CEO, Novant Health evolved from a collection of strong regional organizations into a unified, innovative health system with the strength and scale to bring remarkable care to more patients and communities across the Carolinas.
Under his leadership, Novant Health established a single, unified brand and significantly expanded access to care. Major milestones include the addition of New Hanover Regional Medical Center, East Cooper Medical Center, Hilton Head Medical Center, Coastal Carolina Hospital and Northern Regional Medical Center, as well as the opening of Novant Health Mint Hill Medical Center, Novant Health Ballantyne Medical Center and Novant Health Scotts Hill Medical Center. Today, Novant Health includes 45,000 team members, 22 hospitals, approximately 900 locations and 9,100 employed and independent clinicians across two states.
“Carl’s leadership has left an enduring mark on Novant Health and the communities we serve. Throughout his tenure, he has kept patients, team members and our purpose of creating a healthier future at the center of every decision, while challenging the organization to find new and better ways to improve health,” said Christine Katziff, chair of the Novant Health Board of Trustees. "His commitment to remarkable care, innovation and developing strong leaders has helped shape who Novant Health is today and established a foundation that will benefit patients and communities for generations to come. The board is deeply grateful for Carl’s 30 years of service and his extraordinary leadership as president and chief executive officer.”
Transforming healthcare for the future
During Armato’s tenure, Novant Health transformed how and where patients access care, building a more connected model encompassing ambulatory care, imaging, surgery centers, virtual care, community clinics and advanced specialty services. The health system has remained focused on making high-quality care more accessible and affordable, while creating more convenient ways for patients to receive the care they need, when and where they need it.
As the organization expanded, its commitment to delivering safe, high-quality care remained foundational, supported by a systemwide infrastructure and recognition from The Leapfrog Group, Vizient and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.
Novant Health also embraced innovation as a way to solve real challenges for patients and team members. Under Armato’s leadership, Novant Health achieved a series of clinical and technological firsts, including becoming the first health system in the Carolinas to deploy applied artificial intelligence in stroke care, launching the nation’s first emergency drone operation supporting pandemic response and becoming the first in the Carolinas to offer incisionless brain surgery for tremor.
Armato also pioneered Novant Health’s dyad leadership model, pairing physician and administrative leaders to bring clinical and operational perspectives together in decisions affecting patients, team members and the organization.
“Leading Novant Health has been one of the greatest privileges of my career, but what I am most proud of is the difference our remarkable team members make every day for our patients and communities,” said Armato. “Healthcare has changed tremendously during my time as CEO, but our purpose has remained constant: to care for people when they need us most and to create a healthier future together. I am deeply grateful to the physicians, nurses and team members who have brought that purpose to life, and I have tremendous confidence in what they will accomplish next.”
Building strength to invest in people and communities
Throughout Armato’s tenure, Novant Health maintained a disciplined focus on responsible stewardship, building the financial strength needed to continually reinvest in in patient care, team members and communities. Operating revenue increased from approximately $3.5 billion in 2012 to nearly $12 billion in 2025, while net assets grew from approximately $2.2 billion to $8.2 billion. That strength has enabled Novant Health to make significant investments in expanding access, advancing clinical programs and technology, supporting team members and identifying new ways to deliver high-quality, affordable care for patients and communities.
As a nonprofit health system, Novant Health reported more than $2.1 billion in community benefit in 2025. Its community investments have expanded to include neighborhood and mobile clinics, health-equity initiatives and partnerships addressing barriers including food access, transportation, mental health and preventive care.
Investing in team members has also remained central to Novant Health’s strategy, with expanded investments in compensation, education, professional development and well-being designed to support team members throughout their careers and strengthen the healthcare workforce of the future.
“Carl has always understood that the strength of a health system ultimately comes down to its people and the trust it earns from the communities it serves,” said Katziff. “His legacy can be seen not only in what Novant Health has accomplished, but in the culture of caring, innovation and service he helped foster. We are deeply grateful for his leadership and the lasting impact he has made.”
Throughout his tenure, Armato has emphasized that Novant Health’s strength is measured by its ability to make a meaningful difference for patients, team members and communities. That foundation positions the organization to continue improving access and affordability, advancing remarkable care and creating a healthier future across the Carolinas for years to come.
John Gizdic to serve as president and interim chief executive officer
With Armato’s retirement, John Gizdic, executive vice president and chief operating officer, will assume the role of president and interim chief executive officer effective January 1, 2027. As executive vice president and chief operating officer, Gizdic oversees operational performance across the system’s hospitals and the Novant Health Medical Group, which provides primary and specialty care through more than 2,000 physicians and clinicians. In addition to driving day-to-day operational excellence, he has led critical strategic initiatives and implemented emergency preparedness efforts across the enterprise, particularly during the challenging COVID operating environment.
“I am deeply honored to serve as president and interim chief executive officer of Novant Health,” said Gizdic. “This organization has built an extraordinary foundation of clinical excellence, compassionate care and disciplined growth. I look forward to building on that foundation and working alongside our talented physicians, nurses and team members to continue advancing Our Cause and creating a healthier future for the communities we serve.”
Gizdic has more than three decades of healthcare leadership experience, including more than 20 years with Novant Health and its predecessors. He has served as chief operating officer since May 2024, following his appointment as executive vice president and chief administrative officer in 2021. He previously spent more than 15 years at New Hanover Regional Medical Center (NHRMC), holding roles of increasing responsibility before being named president and chief executive officer in 2017. Before his leadership at NHRMC, Gizdic spent 14 years in key executive leadership roles with Carolinas HealthCare System.
Gizdic holds a Master of Business Administration and a Master of Health Administration from Pfeiffer University, as well as a bachelor's degree in health policy and administration from Pennsylvania State University.
“John’s leadership has been integral to Novant Health’s success, and his deep knowledge of the organization, commitment to Our Cause and focus on delivering strong results will provide continuity throughout this transition,” said Armato. “He is a proven leader who understands our organization, our people and the communities we serve, and I have tremendous confidence in his leadership as Novant Health moves forward.”
Katziff further said: “After thoughtful consideration, the board unanimously concluded that John Gizdic is the right person to lead Novant Health through this transition. John brings an exceptional record of operational excellence, strategic vision, hands-on experience, and deep industry expertise. Having spent over two decades leading healthcare organizations and driving innovation, he possesses the proven leadership and operational capabilities to maintain our momentum and continue delivering on Our Cause.”
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