GE HealthCare Appoints New President and CEO for China
GE HealthCare (Nasdaq: GEHC), a global leader in healthcare solutions, announced today that Yihao Zhang, the current president and CEO of China, will retire from the company on July 1, 2025. Will Song, a seasoned executive with over 20 years of experience at Johnson & Johnson, has been appointed as the new president and CEO for China. He will join GE HealthCare on April 1, 2025, and take over leadership of the region on July 1 following Yihao’s retirement.
Yihao Zhang’s planned retirement marks the end of an era for GE HealthCare in China, offering the company an opportunity to strategically identify and prepare a successor. In this thoughtful transition, Will Song, a highly respected leader with extensive experience, has been chosen to take the helm as GE HealthCare’s new president and CEO for China. Will, who will officially join the company on April 1, 2025, is set to take over leadership on July 1, 2025, following Yihao’s retirement.
Yihao Zhang has served as the driving force behind GE HealthCare’s strategic development and operations in China since joining the company in 2019. Under his leadership, the company has seen significant growth, both in terms of revenue and market presence. Yihao has been instrumental in redefining GE HealthCare’s approach to localization, innovation, and partnerships in China. His efforts have helped shape a clear blueprint for the company’s long-term success in the region.
One of Yihao’s most notable achievements has been his focus on localization, which has been vital in transforming the company’s operations and helping it adapt to the complex, policy-driven, and competitive healthcare landscape in China. His leadership has led to a substantial increase in GE HealthCare’s innovation investment, which doubled within just five years. Additionally, Yihao spearheaded the expansion of the company’s manufacturing footprint across multiple cities in China, including Beijing, Wuxi, Tianjin, and Shanghai. His forward-thinking vision also resulted in the establishment of two new manufacturing sites in Chengdu and Shenzhen, further cementing GE HealthCare’s strong presence in China.
“Yihao has proven himself to be a humble, energetic, people-focused leader who embraced our company culture, strategy, and purpose. He has made an indelible mark on our colleagues and the industry,” said Peter Arduini, president and CEO of GE HealthCare. “I want to personally thank Yihao for his leadership and contributions over the years and for positioning GE HealthCare as a leading innovator in China. I wish him a healthy and happy retirement.
Looking ahead, I am confident that Will’s stellar reputation and in-depth knowledge of the China market, along with his robust relationships with key stakeholders and deep understanding of our customer base, will help enhance our position in China and drive the region forward to effectively deliver on the future of healthcare.”
Will Song brings a wealth of experience to GE HealthCare, having spent over 20 years at Johnson & Johnson. He will join the company as president and CEO for China on April 1, 2025, bringing with him a strong track record of leadership in the healthcare industry.
Most recently, Will served as global senior vice president and China chairman at Johnson & Johnson. In this role, he led the China Presidents’ Council, advancing the company’s innovation journey in China across both its MedTech and Innovative Medicine businesses. Will joined Johnson & Johnson in 2003, and over the years, he has held various global positions of increasing responsibility.
Highly regarded in China’s healthcare market, Will has been a prominent figure in the medical industry, serving in leadership roles with multiple industry associations. He has been vice chairman of the China Association of Medical Devices Industry, vice president of the China Association of Enterprises with Foreign Investment, and vice chairman of the Shanghai Enterprises Directors Association. Will’s contributions to the healthcare sector have earned him multiple external honors, recognizing his significant impact on both the industry and the broader economic landscape. He holds a bachelor’s degree from Peking University, an MBA from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, and a Ph.D. in Molecular Biology and Biochemistry from the University of Massachusetts.
Will will be based in Shanghai, China, and is set to work closely with Yihao over the next several months to ensure a smooth and effective transition. This collaboration will be key to continuing GE HealthCare’s strong growth trajectory in China, a region that is crucial to the company’s broader growth strategy. The planned transition also allows Will to become fully immersed in the business, ensuring that the leadership handover will be deliberate, strategic, and seamless.
GE HealthCare Technologies Inc. is a global leader in healthcare solutions, known for its innovative approach to medical technology, pharmaceutical diagnostics, and cloud-first AI-enabled solutions. With a mission to make hospitals and health systems more efficient, improve clinician effectiveness, and offer more precise therapies, GE HealthCare is committed to advancing personalized and compassionate care. For over 125 years, the company has been at the forefront of improving patient outcomes across care pathways, from screening and diagnosis to therapy and monitoring. Today, GE HealthCare is a $19.7 billion business, employing approximately 53,000 colleagues around the world, all working toward a vision of healthcare without limits.
As Yihao Zhang transitions into retirement, the leadership of Will Song ensures that GE HealthCare remains well-positioned to navigate the evolving healthcare landscape in China, continuing its legacy of innovation and dedication to improving global health.
