Pictured: Jonathan Bush
athenahealth, Inc. announced on June 6, 2018, that Jonathan Bush has elected to step down from his post as the chief executive officer and as a board member of the internet-based enabled services provider for hospital and ambulatory customers effective immediately.
Bush’s departure follows a report by the U.K.’s Daily Mail that includes evidence from 2006 court documents revealing that Bush had admitted to physically abusing his ex-wife. The former CEO issued an apology for the incidents of abuse. However, athenahealth had recently been placed under pressure by “activist investors” Elliot Management, who submitted an unsolicited acquisition proposal last month for the financially-struggling company.
As a result of Bush’s departure, athenahealth’s recently-appointed Chairman Jeffrey R. “Jeff” Immelt has been appointed executive chairman of the company; Marc Levine, athenahealth’s executive vice president, chief financial officer and chief accounting officer, will assume additional operational responsibilities and oversight at the company; and current Board member Amy Abernethy will begin advising the athenahealth’s executive leadership team on data strategy as the company begins its search for a new president and chief executive officer.
In its statement, the company noted that it is considering a sale, merger or other transaction involving the Company, though did not note its current position toward Elliot Management’s proposed acquisition.
