Universal Health Services (UHS) behavioral health chief resigns; CEO assumes interim role

Rhea-AI Filing Summary

Universal Health Services, Inc. announced that Matthew J. Peterson, Executive Vice President and President of Behavioral Health, has resigned effective June 19, 2026. He has been with the company since 2019 and plans to pursue a non-competitive external opportunity.

As of the effective date, all of his unvested stock options, restricted stock units and performance-based restricted stock units will terminate. After that date, he will receive only amounts already accrued and vested under company benefit plans and any payments required by law.

Chief Executive Officer and President Marc D. Miller will take on interim leadership of the Behavioral Health Care Division alongside its Senior Vice Presidents, while the company begins an immediate search for a permanent replacement.

Insights

Corporate governance analyst

Key behavioral health leader exits; CEO covers role temporarily.

Universal Health Services disclosed the resignation of its Executive Vice President and President, Behavioral Health, effective June 19, 2026. Leadership over such a major division is important, but the company emphasizes his next role will not compete with its business.

All of his unvested equity awards, including stock options and restricted stock units, will terminate at departure, limiting ongoing alignment through stock-based incentives. He remains entitled only to vested benefits and amounts required by law, suggesting no special severance arrangement in this excerpt.

Interim oversight will come from CEO Marc D. Miller together with Senior Vice Presidents of the Behavioral Health Care Division while a search for a permanent leader begins. Future company communications may clarify how quickly a successor is appointed and any strategic changes in the behavioral health segment.

8-K Event Classification

Item 5.02 — Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers

1 item

Item 5.02 Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers Governance

Key personnel changes including departures, elections, or appointments of directors and executive officers.

Key Figures

Resignation effective date: June 19, 2026 Resignation announcement date: May 18, 2026 Service start year: 2019

3 metrics

Resignation effective date June 19, 2026 Effective date of Matthew J. Peterson’s resignation

Resignation announcement date May 18, 2026 Date resignation was submitted

Service start year 2019 Year Matthew J. Peterson joined the company

Key Terms

Emerging growth company, restricted stock units, performance based restricted stock units, employee benefit plans, +1 more

5 terms

Emerging growth company regulatory

"405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§ 240.12b-2 of this chapter). Emerging growth company"

An emerging growth company is a recently public or smaller public firm that qualifies for temporary, lighter regulatory and disclosure rules to reduce the cost and effort of being public. For investors, it means the company may provide less historical financial detail and face fewer reporting requirements than larger firms, so it can grow more quickly but also carries higher uncertainty—like buying a promising early-stage product with fewer user reviews.

restricted stock units financial

"all of Mr. Peterson’s unvested stock options, restricted stock units and performance based restricted stock units will terminate"

Restricted stock units are a type of company reward where employees are promised shares of stock, but they only fully own these shares after meeting certain conditions, like staying with the company for a set time. They matter because they can become valuable assets and are often used to motivate employees to help the company succeed.

performance based restricted stock units financial

"unvested stock options, restricted stock units and performance based restricted stock units will terminate as of the Effective Date"

employee benefit plans financial

"payment of certain amounts accrued and vested under any employee benefit plans or programs of the Company"

Executive Vice President financial

"Matthew J. Peterson, Executive Vice President of the Company and President, Behavioral Health"

An executive vice president is a high-ranking leader within a company who oversees major parts of its operations or strategies. Think of them as senior managers responsible for important areas, similar to a vice principal in a school hierarchy. Their role matters to investors because they help guide the company's success and decision-making at the top level.

Understanding 8-K Material Events →

false000035291500003529152026-05-182026-05-18

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): May 18, 2026

UNIVERSAL HEALTH SERVICES, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware		1-10765		23-2077891
(State or other jurisdiction of		(Commission		(I.R.S. Employer
Incorporation or Organization)		File Number)		Identification No.)

UNIVERSAL CORPORATE CENTER

367 SOUTH GULPH ROAD

KING OF PRUSSIA, Pennsylvania 19406

(Address of principal executive office) (Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code (610) 768-3300

Not Applicable

(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 (see General Instructions A.2. below):

☐	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
Class B Common Stock	UHS	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.

Departure and Compensatory Arrangements of a Certain Officer

(b) On May 18, 2026, Matthew J. Peterson, Executive Vice President of the Company and President, Behavioral Health, who has been with the Company since 2019, submitted his resignation from his position with the Company, effective June 19, 2026 (“Effective Date”). Mr. Peterson intends to pursue an external career opportunity that is not competitive to the Company.

(e) As a result of such resignation, all of Mr. Peterson’s unvested stock options, restricted stock units and performance based restricted stock units will terminate as of the Effective Date. Mr. Peterson will not be entitled to any other compensation from the Company after the Effective Date, other than for payment of certain amounts accrued and vested under any employee benefit plans or programs of the Company and any payments or benefits required to be made or provided under applicable law.

Marc D. Miller, Chief Executive Officer and President, will assume the interim responsibilities for the Behavioral Health Care Division in conjunction with Senior Vice Presidents of the Division. The Company will immediately commence a search for a permanent replacement to lead the Behavioral Health Division.

Universal Health Services, Inc.
By:		/s/ Steve Filton
Name: Steve Filton
Title: Executive Vice President and             Chief Financial Officer

Date: May 21, 2026

FAQ

What executive change did Universal Health Services (UHS) disclose?

Universal Health Services reported that Matthew J. Peterson, Executive Vice President and President of Behavioral Health, resigned effective June 19, 2026. He joined the company in 2019 and is leaving to pursue an external opportunity that will not compete with the company.

When is Matthew J. Peterson’s resignation from UHS effective?

His resignation is effective June 19, 2026. Until that date he remains in his role, after which his unvested equity awards terminate and he receives only vested benefits and payments required under applicable law or company benefit plans.

What happens to Matthew J. Peterson’s stock awards after leaving UHS?

All of Matthew J. Peterson’s unvested stock options, restricted stock units, and performance-based restricted stock units will terminate as of June 19, 2026. After that date, he is only entitled to accrued and vested benefits and payments mandated by applicable law.

Will Matthew J. Peterson receive severance or additional compensation from UHS?

The company states he will not receive additional compensation after June 19, 2026, beyond amounts accrued and vested under company benefit plans and payments required by law. No special or extra severance arrangements are described in this excerpt of the disclosure.

Who will lead UHS’s Behavioral Health Care Division after Peterson resigns?

Chief Executive Officer and President Marc D. Miller will assume interim responsibilities for the Behavioral Health Care Division, working with the division’s Senior Vice Presidents. Universal Health Services will immediately begin searching for a permanent replacement to lead the Behavioral Health Division.

Does UHS describe Matthew J. Peterson’s next role as competitive with its business?

No. Universal Health Services notes that Matthew J. Peterson intends to pursue an external career opportunity that is not competitive with the company. This suggests his departure is not framed as moving to a direct rival in behavioral health services.

Filing Exhibits & Attachments

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