GE HealthCare Announces Leadership Transition in China as Yihao Zhang Retires, Will Song Steps In
Shanghai, China – February 27, 2025 – GE HealthCare Technologies Inc. (Nasdaq: GEHC), a global leader in healthcare solutions, has announced a significant leadership transition in its China operations. Yihao Zhang, the company’s president and CEO for China, will retire effective July 1, 2025, after a impactful tenure that reshaped the company’s presence in the region. Succeeding him is Will Song, a seasoned executive with over two decades of experience at Johnson & Johnson, who will assume the role of president and CEO, China, starting July 1, 2025.
Song will join GE HealthCare on April 1, 2025, ensuring a smooth handover as he works closely with Zhang during the transition period. This deliberate succession plan underscores GE HealthCare’s commitment to maintaining its strong foothold in China, a market critical to its global growth strategy.
Yihao Zhang’s Legacy of Transformation
Since joining GE HealthCare in 2019, Yihao Zhang has been a driving force behind the company’s strategic evolution in China. Under his leadership, GE HealthCare doubled its innovation investment within five years and expanded its manufacturing footprint across Beijing, Wuxi, Tianjin, and Shanghai, while establishing new facilities in Chengdu and Shenzhen. Zhang redefined the company’s localization, innovation, and partnership strategies, positioning GE HealthCare as a leader in China’s competitive and policy-driven healthcare landscape.
“Yihao has proven himself to be a humble, energetic, people-focused leader who embraced our company culture, strategy, and purpose,” said Peter Arduini, president and CEO of GE HealthCare. “He has made an indelible mark on our colleagues and the industry. I want to personally thank him for his leadership and contributions through the years.”
Zhang’s efforts have laid a robust foundation for long-term growth, cementing GE HealthCare’s reputation as a pioneer in healthcare innovation in China. His retirement marks the end of a transformative chapter for the company.
Will Song: A Proven Leader Takes the Helm
Will Song brings a wealth of experience to GE HealthCare, having spent over 20 years at Johnson & Johnson, most recently as global senior vice president and China chairman. At Johnson & Johnson, Song led the China Presidents’ Council, driving innovation across the company’s MedTech and Innovative Medicine divisions. His extensive career also includes various global leadership roles, showcasing his ability to navigate complex markets.
Song is a well-regarded figure in China’s healthcare industry, having held influential positions such as 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. His contributions to healthcare and economic development have earned him multiple accolades.
With 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, Song combines academic rigor with practical expertise. Based in Shanghai, he is poised to leverage his deep market knowledge and stakeholder relationships to advance GE HealthCare’s mission in China.
“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,” Arduini added.
A Strategic Transition for a Key Market
China remains a cornerstone of GE HealthCare’s global strategy, and the company is ensuring a seamless leadership transition to maintain momentum. Between April and July 2025, Zhang and Song will collaborate to immerse Song in the business, focusing on delivering innovative healthcare solutions that meet the needs of patients and providers in the region.
GE HealthCare, with a legacy spanning over 125 years, continues to innovate across its Imaging, Advanced Visualization Solutions, Patient Care Solutions, and Pharmaceutical Diagnostics businesses. As a $19.7 billion company with 53,000 employees worldwide, it remains dedicated to advancing personalized, connected, and compassionate care.
As Yihao Zhang prepares for a well-deserved retirement, Will Song steps into a role that promises to build on an already strong foundation, steering GE HealthCare toward a future where healthcare knows no limits in China and beyond.
