As Grey’s Anatomy enters its 23rd season in September 2026, the leadership at Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital is facing its most significant transition in years. The Season 22 finale, which aired on May 7, 2026, saw the official exit of series regulars Kim Raver and Kevin McKidd, leaving the Chief of Surgery position vacant once again.
Across more than two decades of television, exactly nine characters have held the title of Chief of Surgery. While some tenures lasted years and defined the hospital’s culture, others were brief interim appointments or even a single-day experiment.
The Permanent Pillars of Leadership
While many have worn the “Chief” lab coat, only five characters are recognized for holding the position as a permanent, long-term appointment.
The hospital’s administrative history began with Richard Webber, who served as the primary Chief during the show’s early years. His leadership style set the standard for subsequent chiefs, even as the role rotated through other veteran surgeons. Following Webber, Derek Shepherd and Owen Hunt both took turns steering the department through various hospital crises.
In Season 12, the show reached a milestone when Miranda Bailey was appointed as the hospital’s first official female Chief of Surgery. Bailey held the post through several high-stakes eras of the show, eventually taking a stress leave that opened the door for interim leadership.
The most recent permanent leader was Teddy Altman, who assumed the role at the end of Season 19. Altman’s tenure lasted through the end of Season 22, despite a brief firing by Catherine Fox in Season 20. Her departure in May 2026, alongside her husband Owen Hunt, marks the end of an era for the hospital’s administration as the show moves into Season 23.
The Interim and “Chief for a Day” Tenures
The “revolving door” of the Chief’s office is often fueled by medical leaves, legal troubles, or sudden resignations, leading to several memorable interim appointments.
Preston Burke served as the show’s first interim Chief back in Season 2, stepping in while Richard Webber recovered from brain surgery. Years later, Mark Sloan famously held the position for a single day in Season 8. Though brief, his “Beef with the Chief” initiative remains a fan-favorite moment in the series’ history.
The later seasons saw younger staff members take the reins. Alex Karev served as interim Chief in Season 15 while Miranda Bailey took a necessary break for her mental health. More recently, Meredith Grey stepped into the interim role during Season 19, managing the department’s affairs before her eventual relocation to Boston.
Leadership Status Heading into Season 23
As of September 2026, the Chief of Surgery position is officially unoccupied following Teddy Altman’s exit. The hierarchy at Grey Sloan has often relied on Richard Webber to stabilize the department during such gaps, but the recent intervention of the Catherine Fox Foundation suggests a new direction may be imminent.
With Season 23 now underway, the question of who will become the tenth person to lead the surgical department remains a central focus for the staff at Grey Sloan Memorial.
