HCA's Bovender to retire, Bracken named new CEO

Jack O. Bovender, Jr., chairman and CEO of HCA Inc., will retire as CEO of the nation's largest for-profit hospital company at the end of this year and remain as executive chairman and a member of the board of directors until December of 2009. Richard M. Bracken, HCA's president and chief operating officer, will remain as president and take the helm as CEO on Jan. 1, 2009, in accordance with the company's existing succession plan.