Karen S. Lynch

IT IS ONE challenge to assume the leading role of a worldwide public company and follow the footsteps of a longtime executive. It’s another when that company has a significant hand in helping stop a worldwide health crisis.

Case in point: Karen S. Lynch, the new CEO and president of CVS Health Corp. Lynch assumed the role as CVS’ top executive after Larry J. Merlo – who became CEO and president of CVS a decade ago – retired from the pharmaceutical conglomerate on Feb. 1, 2021.

Prior to her appointment, Lynch, 57, was an executive vice president and also president of CVS’ Aetna Inc. insurance division. In 2018, CVS acquired Aetna for about $69 billion.

But Lynch’s appointment as CEO and president came at a critical time. CVS, along with Walgreen Co., doing business as Walgreens, played a major role in distributing and administering COVID-19 vaccinations to the public as part of a federal program in early 2021, nearly a year after the pandemic brought the world to a virtual standstill. The pharmacies gave vaccines to vulnerable individuals during the early days of the rollout, and then became a major player in vaccinating teachers and school professionals by the spring.

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“Never before has our purpose been more critical than during these unprecedented times. I will work to build on the strong foundation Larry has put in place to continue to make health care more accessible and affordable, driving better health outcomes for our consumers and communities,” Lynch said at the time she was named CVS’ new leader.