---
schema_version: "secwatch.filing_event.v1"
accession: "0001193125-26-107345"
form_type: "8-K"
ticker: "BAX"
cik: "0000010456"
company_name: "BAXTER INTERNATIONAL INC"
filed_at: "2026-03-16T23:59:59+00:00"
generated_at: "2026-05-15T11:20:48.755268+00:00"
event_type: "leadership"
sentiment: "neutral"
materiality_score: 0.65
calibrated_materiality_score: 0.65
confidence: "high"
source: SEC EDGAR
---

# Baxter CFO Joel Grade departs; Anita Zielinski named interim CFO; full-year 2026 outlook reaffirmed

## Summary
- Joel Grade resigns as EVP and CFO effective March 16, 2026, for personal family reasons; advisory role until April 30.
- Anita Zielinski, SVP and CAO, appointed interim CFO effective immediately; retains CAO and controller duties.
- Zielinski receives $50,000/month interim CFO stipend and $250,000 RSU award vesting over three years.
- Baxter reiterates full-year 2026 financial outlook previously issued on February 12, 2026.
- Separation agreement provides standard severance under the Executive Severance Plan; departure not due to any disagreement.

## SEC filing metadata
- accession: 0001193125-26-107345
- form_type: 8-K
- ticker: BAX
- cik: 0000010456
- company_name: BAXTER INTERNATIONAL INC
- filed_at: 2026-03-16T23:59:59+00:00
- event_type: leadership
- sentiment: neutral
- materiality_score: 0.65
- calibrated_materiality_score: 0.65
- confidence: high
- sec_items: 5.02, 7.01, 9.01
- EDGAR index: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/10456/000119312526107345/0001193125-26-107345-index.htm
- EDGAR primary document: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/10456/000119312526107345/d114675d8k.htm

## Machine-readable alternates
- HTML: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001193125-26-107345
- JSON: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001193125-26-107345.json
- Plain text: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001193125-26-107345.txt

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