Healthcare staffing leader AMN Healthcare has appointed former Cigna Group executive Eric Palmer to its board of directors. The company announced the move on May 13, 2026. Palmer brings deep industry knowledge and decades of executive-level experience. His addition signals AMN Healthcare’s focus on strengthening its strategic leadership.
Who Is Eric Palmer?
Eric Palmer is a veteran healthcare executive with a career spanning more than 25 years. He built his professional foundation entirely at Cigna Group. During his long tenure, he rose through the ranks to hold some of the company’s most senior positions. He departed Cigna in April 2025 after a distinguished run at the top of the organization.
His Key Roles at Cigna
Palmer’s career at Cigna was marked by significant leadership milestones. Most recently, he served as CEO of Evernorth Health Services, Cigna’s health services segment. Before that, he held the role of Chief Financial Officer (CFO) for the broader Cigna organization.
His time as CFO was particularly impactful. He played a central role in Cigna’s landmark acquisition of pharmacy benefit manager Express Scripts. That deal reshaped Cigna’s business model and expanded its footprint in the pharmacy and specialty health services space. Consequently, Palmer earned a reputation as a dealmaker and strategic thinker at the highest levels of corporate healthcare.
Why AMN Healthcare Chose Palmer
AMN Healthcare selected Palmer for his proven record across several critical areas. According to the company’s May 13 news release, he brings a “strong track record of leading large-scale operations.” Additionally, he has deep experience in driving strategic growth initiatives. Furthermore, he has successfully executed complex mergers, acquisitions, and divestitures throughout his career.
A Strong Fit for the Board
Palmer’s background aligns closely with AMN Healthcare’s current priorities. The company operates in a competitive and rapidly evolving healthcare staffing market. Therefore, board-level expertise in operations, finance, and M&A is especially valuable. His familiarity with the healthcare ecosystem also gives him a distinctive edge compared to generalist board candidates.
What This Means for AMN Healthcare
AMN Healthcare is navigating a dynamic period in the healthcare staffing industry. Workforce shortages continue to challenge hospitals and health systems across the country. Against this backdrop, strong governance and strategic leadership are more important than ever. Palmer’s appointment directly addresses this need.
His experience scaling complex organizations will support AMN Healthcare’s long-term growth strategy. Moreover, his understanding of payer-provider dynamics adds a dimension of insight that the board previously lacked. As a result, AMN Healthcare is better positioned to respond to market shifts, regulatory changes, and staffing demand fluctuations.
Leadership Perspective from the CEO
AMN Healthcare President and CEO Cary Grace welcomed the appointment enthusiastically. She highlighted several reasons the board selected Palmer.
“Eric’s extensive leadership experience, understanding of the healthcare ecosystem and alignment to our mission make him a valuable addition to our board,” Grace said. She added that his ability to scale complex organizations and navigate dynamic market environments would strengthen governance and support AMN’s long-term goals.
Grace’s remarks underscore that this is not simply a symbolic appointment. Rather, Palmer joins AMN Healthcare’s board with a clear mandate to contribute meaningfully to its strategic direction.
About AMN Healthcare
AMN Healthcare is one of the largest healthcare staffing and workforce solutions companies in the United States. The company serves hospitals, health systems, and other healthcare facilities nationwide. Its services include travel nurse staffing, physician staffing, allied health staffing, and workforce technology solutions.
A Growing Governance Focus
AMN Healthcare has consistently invested in building a diverse and experienced board. Each new member brings specific expertise relevant to the company’s evolving needs. Palmer’s addition continues this pattern. His finance, operations, and health services background complements the existing board’s capabilities.
Conclusion
Eric Palmer’s appointment to AMN Healthcare’s board of directors marks a notable move in healthcare executive leadership circles. His 25-plus-year career at Cigna, including roles as Evernorth CEO and Cigna CFO, gives him rare breadth and depth. AMN Healthcare gains a board member with proven skills in M&A, large-scale operations, and strategic growth. As the healthcare staffing industry faces ongoing workforce challenges, this appointment positions AMN Healthcare to navigate complexity with experienced guidance at the top.
