[8-K] BAXTER INTERNATIONAL INC Reports Material Event

Rhea-AI Filing Summary

Baxter International (BAX) announced a leadership change. Heather Knight will resign as Executive Vice President, Chief Operating Officer, and interim group president of Medical Products and Therapies (MPT) effective October 29, 2025, to join a company in the healthcare industry.

On the transition date, President and CEO Andrew Hider will also serve as interim group president of MPT, and Baxter will eliminate the COO role. This consolidates operational oversight under the CEO while the company manages the MPT leadership transition.

Insights

Corporate Governance Analyst

Baxter announces COO resignation, eliminates the COO role, and CEO assumes interim leadership of MPT. Governance shift with execution focus implications.

Baxter International Inc. disclosed that Heather Knight will resign as Executive Vice President and COO and as interim group president of Medical Products and Therapies (MPT), effective October 29, 2025. As of that date, the company will no longer have a COO. CEO Andrew Hider will serve as interim group president of MPT.

This is a governance and operating model change. Removing the COO role concentrates operating oversight under the CEO and adds interim responsibility for MPT. That can streamline decisions, but it also centralizes accountability in one office. The filing does not describe changes to strategy, reporting lines, or compensation, so the immediate effect is structural rather than financial.

Key items to watch: whether Baxter appoints a permanent MPT leader and how responsibilities are redistributed after October 29, 2025. Also monitor future disclosures for any revisions to segment oversight or additional leadership changes. Near term, look for follow-up in the next periodic report or a subsequent 8-K addressing permanent appointments and any organizational adjustments.

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UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT

PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(D)

OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): October 16, 2025

Baxter International Inc.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)
1-4448			36-0781620
(Commission File Number)			(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
One Baxter Parkway, Deerfield, Illinois			60015
(Address of principal executive offices)			(Zip Code)
(224)948-2000
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

☐    Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

☐    Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

☐    Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

☐    Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Title of each class

Trading Symbol(s)

Name of each exchange on which registered

Common Stock, $1.00 par value

BAX (NYSE)

New York Stock Exchange

1.3% Global Notes due 2029

BAX 29

New York Stock Exchange

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter):

☐ Emerging growth company

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act:   ☐

Item 5.02 Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers.

On October 16, 2025, Heather Knight notified Baxter International Inc. (the “Company”) of her decision to resign as the Company’s Executive Vice President, Chief Operating Officer (“COO”) and interim group president of Medical Products and Therapies (“MPT”), effective as of October 29, 2025 (the “Transition Date”), to join a company in the healthcare industry.

In connection with Ms. Knight’s departure, Andrew Hider, the Company’s President and Chief Executive Officer, will also assume the role of interim group president of MPT effective as of the Transition Date. Additionally, as of the Transition Date, the Company will no longer have a COO.

SIGNATURE

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

Date: October 21, 2025			BAXTER INTERNATIONAL INC.
			By:			/s/ Ellen K. Bradford
			Name:			Ellen K. Bradford
			Title:			Senior Vice President and Corporate Secretary

FAQ

What did Baxter (BAX) disclose in this 8-K?

Baxter reported that Heather Knight will resign as EVP, COO, and interim group president of MPT effective October 29, 2025.

When is Heather Knight’s resignation effective at Baxter (BAX)?

Her resignation is effective October 29, 2025.

Who will lead Baxter’s MPT group after the transition?

President and CEO Andrew Hider will serve as interim group president of MPT effective October 29, 2025.

Is Baxter keeping the COO role after this change?

No. As of the transition date, the company will no longer have a COO.

Why is Heather Knight leaving Baxter (BAX)?

She is leaving to join a company in the healthcare industry.

What roles did Heather Knight hold at Baxter (BAX)?

She served as Executive Vice President, Chief Operating Officer, and interim group president of MPT.