Turbulence in the executive ranks. Report says 2009 tide of acute-care CEO departures equals all-time high.

A combination of the Great Recession and aging baby boomers is being credited by some for driving a huge rate of turnover among CEOs of acute-care hospitals. "Part of the driver is definitely the economy. All the states, and especially the federal government, are facing budget issues, and that all trickles down to hospitals... Plus, you've got a lot of individuals who are retirement age," says Joe Krella, left, of the Utah Hospitals and Health Systems Association.