Eric Schultz, the president and chief executive of major Massachusetts insurer Harvard Pilgrim Health Care, abruptly resigned on Tuesday, citing unspecified “behavior” as the reason for his departure.
“It’s with mixed emotions that I inform you that today will be my last day as CEO of Harvard Pilgrim Health Care and Chair of the Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Foundation,” Schultz wrote in a letter to Harvard Pilgrim’s board of directors and employees. “Regrettably, I recently exhibited behavior that was inconsistent with my personal core values and the company’s core values and code of conduct.”
Subscribe to Brainstorm Health Daily, our newsletter about the most exciting health innovations.
.@HarvardPilgrim's CEO abruptly resigns citing behavior not consistent with the company's code of conduct. In this letter to employees and the board, Eric Schultz writes: "I made mistakes, and I'm truly sorry."
Harvard Pilgrim is one of MA's largest insurers. @wbzpic.twitter.com/D33xLnKBYa— Anaridis Rodriguez (@Anaridis) June 12, 2018
It’s unclear exactly what the behavior entailed. But Schultz’s resignation comes amid a wave of politicians, celebrities, and business executives being ousted or ostracized over allegations of sexual misconduct and workplace misbehavior. Just last week, Jonathan Bush — cousin of former President George W. Bush — resigned as CEO of health IT firm Athenahealth after more than two decades leading the company. Bush stepped down following reports of past inappropriate behavior.
Harvard Pilgrim is one of the largest health insurance companies in Massachusetts. Schultz took the reins as CEO in 2010 following the departure of its previous chief, Charlie Baker, who left the company to run for governor of the state.