Partners CEO Torchiana to retire in April

Dr. David Torchiana, president and CEO of Boston-based Partners HealthCare, will retire at the end of April. Torchiana, who has been the market-leading health system’s leader since March 2015, previously served as chairman and CEO of the Massachusetts General Physicians Organization. He told the board last week that he’s been contemplating his retirement for some time.

Partners recently tabled merger talks with Harvard Pilgrim Health Care, the state’s second-largest health plan, in November after executives reportedly felt the deal was becoming too complicated. Partners has been criticized for its high prices stemming from higher than average inpatient and academic medical center utilization. Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and Lahey Health said their merger late last year was partly aimed at keeping Partners in check.