Dr. Julie Freischlag to retire at the end of 2025 as CEO of Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist

Dear faculty, staff and students,

After more than 32 years as a leader in academic medicine, Dr. Julie A. Freischlag will retire at the end of 2025 as CEO and chief academic officer of Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist, chief academic officer and executive vice president of Advocate Health, and executive vice president of health affairs at Wake Forest University. She will also conclude her 38-year career as a practicing vascular surgeon. 

Dr. Freischlag has led Wake Forest Baptist as CEO since May 2017 and served as dean of Wake Forest University School of Medicine from February 2018 to February 2023. 

I cannot overstate the impact of Dr. Freischlag’s career. Her work as a clinician, researcher, teacher and executive has saved countless lives, improved surgical techniques, increased clinical efficacy and paved the way for generations of physicians. The medical community — and our community here in Winston-Salem — is better, safer, and healthier thanks to her work.  A news release includes additional details.

Over the coming months, Dr. Freischlag will begin transitioning her academic duties to Dr. Ebony Boulware, dean of Wake Forest University School of Medicine and chief science officer of Advocate Health, and her clinical operational duties to Dr. David Zaas, president of Wake Forest Baptist.

I am grateful for Dr. Freischlag’s extraordinary leadership. 

Sincerely,

Susan R. Wente, Ph.D
President