Owen Bailey, the longtime chief executive officer of USA Health, will retire Aug. 1, 2025, capping a distinguished 38-year career in healthcare administration marked by growth, innovation and community impact.

According to a news release, Bailey has led USA Health, the academic health system of the University of South Alabama, since 2016. His leadership helped transform the organization from seven facilities into a regional powerhouse with more than 40 care-delivery sites and a $1 billion annual economic footprint along the Gulf Coast.

“As a proud part of the University of South Alabama family, I can confidently say we have assembled one of the best, most patient-centered groups of healthcare professionals in the world,” Bailey said. “Taking care of people is a true privilege, and it has been an honor and a blessing to work with so many talented and compassionate teams throughout my career.”

As CEO, Bailey also held a dual role as senior associate vice president for the University of South Alabama. He was instrumental in the October 2023 acquisition of Ascension Providence, an expansion that added 1,800 employees and 14 clinics across two states. The move positioned USA Health as the largest public health system in the region.

“Owen’s contributions to USA Health over the past 14 years have been invaluable, helping make our academic health system one of the very best in the nation,” USA President Jo Bonner said in a news release. “We are truly grateful for all he has done for our patients and our community.”

Bailey’s efforts extended beyond brick-and-mortar growth. He oversaw more than 7,700 employees, led the expansion of critical programs and spearheaded strategic initiatives to serve both urban and rural communities. In 2022, following the pandemic’s toll on frontline workers, he established a Department of Spiritual Care to support staff, patients and families.

During his tenure, USA Health opened a $20 million Pediatric Emergency Center at Children’s & Women’s Hospital in March 2024, nearly doubling its emergency capacity. He also expanded the Fannie Meisler Trauma Center, launched a system-wide Industrial Medicine Program and steered the organization’s community health efforts during the COVID-19 crisis.

In response to growing populations in west Mobile and Baldwin County, Bailey led development of a new campus in west Mobile featuring a freestanding emergency department, imaging center and a three-story physician office building. In Fairhope, he oversaw creation of the Mapp Family Campus, which includes a public teaching kitchen, ambulatory surgery center and physician offices.

Bailey also focused on strengthening rural healthcare. USA Health began managing Monroe County Hospital in 2022 and in 2025 added Grove Hill Memorial Hospital to its network. In fall 2023, the system launched the Southwest Alabama Rural Hospital Collaborative, partnering with 10 rural hospitals to enhance sustainability through shared resources and expertise.

“Much of the remarkable growth and success USA Health has achieved over the past decade can be directly attributed to Owen,” said John V. Marymont, vice president for medical affairs and dean of the Frederick P. Whiddon College of Medicine. “Owen has been an exceptional leader — visionary, steady and deeply committed to our mission — but even more impressive is the kind of person he is. Anyone who knows him recognizes that he embodies the true spirit of servant leadership.”

Before becoming CEO, Bailey served five years as administrator of USA Health Children’s & Women’s Hospital, where he led a $72 million expansion that doubled the facility’s size. Earlier in his career, he served as president and CEO of Thomas Hospital in Fairhope from 1992 to 2006, followed by an executive vice president role with Infirmary Health System.

A native of Alabama, Bailey earned his bachelor’s degree in health administration from Auburn University, where he was drum major of the marching band. He holds a master’s degree in health administration from the University of Alabama at Birmingham. He and his wife, Genie, have four adult children and have lived in Fairhope since the early 1990s.

Throughout his career, Bailey has received numerous honors, including the Alabama Hospital Association’s Distinguished Service Award in 2023. He was named to Becker’s Hospital Review’s list of 96 Academic Medical Center CEOs to Know in 2023 and 2024. He serves on the boards of Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Alabama and the Business Council of Alabama and has chaired the Alabama Hospital Association Board of Directors.

“It has been a tremendous honor to work in close partnership with Dr. John Marymont since 2016,” Bailey said. “He is a person of such integrity and devotion to the academic mission. There could have been no better partner to work with as we strived together to move the health system forward. We have a devoted leadership team which has worked very hard on all these initiatives over the years.”

Dr. Natalie Fox, chief physician enterprise officer for USA Health, has been named interim CEO. She will work closely with Bailey and the leadership team to ensure a seamless transition according to the release.