---
schema_version: "secwatch.filing_event.v1"
accession: "0001193125-25-018871"
form_type: "8-K"
ticker: "BAX"
cik: "0000010456"
company_name: "BAXTER INTERNATIONAL INC"
filed_at: "2025-02-03T23:59:59+00:00"
generated_at: "2026-05-27T03:52:18.759397+00:00"
event_type: "leadership"
sentiment: "neutral"
materiality_score: 0.75
calibrated_materiality_score: 0.75
confidence: "high"
source: SEC EDGAR
---

# Baxter CEO Almeida retires; Brent Shafer appointed interim CEO; Heather Knight named COO

## Summary
- José Almeida retired as CEO/Chair effective Feb 3, 2025; will serve as Special Advisor through Oct 31, 2025.
- Brent Shafer (former Cerner CEO, Baxter director since 2022) appointed interim CEO and Chair; Board seeks permanent CEO.
- Heather Knight named EVP and COO; previously led Medical Products & Therapies segment; reports to interim CEO.
- Q4/FY2024 results expected in line with prior continuing ops guidance; earnings call scheduled for Feb 20, 2025.
- 2025 objectives: 4–5% operational sales growth and ~16.5% adjusted operating margin; tariffs impact not yet included.

## SEC filing metadata
- accession: 0001193125-25-018871
- form_type: 8-K
- ticker: BAX
- cik: 0000010456
- company_name: BAXTER INTERNATIONAL INC
- filed_at: 2025-02-03T23:59:59+00:00
- event_type: leadership
- sentiment: neutral
- materiality_score: 0.75
- calibrated_materiality_score: 0.75
- confidence: high
- sec_items: 2.02, 5.02, 7.01, 9.01
- EDGAR index: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/10456/000119312525018871/0001193125-25-018871-index.htm
- EDGAR primary document: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/10456/000119312525018871/d907276d8k.htm

## Machine-readable alternates
- HTML: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001193125-25-018871
- JSON: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001193125-25-018871.json
- Plain text: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001193125-25-018871.txt

## Key facts
- Executive change
  Brent Shafer was appointed as Interim Chief Executive Officer and Chair at BAXTER INTERNATIONAL INC.
  - Action: appointed
  - Role: Interim Chief Executive Officer and Chair
  source text: the Board appointed Brent Shafer as interim CEO of the Company and Chair of the Board
  evidence_url: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/10456/000119312525018871/0001193125-25-018871-index.htm
- Executive change
  Nancy Schlichting was appointed as Lead Independent Director at BAXTER INTERNATIONAL INC.
  - Action: appointed
  - Role: Lead Independent Director
  source text: Nancy Schlichting was appointed Lead Independent Director
  evidence_url: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/10456/000119312525018871/0001193125-25-018871-index.htm

This AI-assisted summary is a reading aid. Review the linked SEC EDGAR filing before relying on any specific claim.