Fawn Lopez, the longtime publisher/vice president of Modern Healthcare, announced she will retire effective Jan. 1, 2023.

Lopez joined Modern Healthcare as associate publisher in October 2001 and was named publisher and vice president in May 2005. During her more than 17 years leading Modern Healthcare, a Crain Communications brand, Lopez navigated a shifting media landscape, challenging economic conditions and dramatic changes within the healthcare industry. Through it all, Modern Healthcare has remained one of Crain’s leading brands and an authoritative source of news, analysis and thought leadership for the industry’s decision-makers.

During her time at the helm, Modern Healthcare has put a spotlight on the broader challenges facing the industry, including its diversity, its need to address health equity and environmental, social and governance issues.

Before joining Modern Healthcare, Lopez served as national ad director of Crain’s Chicago Business for two years.

“It’s been both a privilege and an honor to lead a revolution in how the healthcare industry has received timely and unbiased business and policy news as well as groundbreaking research and data insights,” Lopez said. “Over the past 21 years, our mission has been to empower industry leaders to succeed. While Modern Healthcare quickly adapted to the ever-changing standards of a news publication and media brand, our commitment to this mission never wavered.”

“With the help of a talented and dedicated team, the support of Crain Communications, and the faith of the Crain family, I could not be more proud of the Modern Healthcare team and what we have accomplished. I’m more confident than ever that Modern Healthcare is supremely positioned to remain the leading source for healthcare news for many years into the future.”

KC Crain, president and CEO of Crain Communications, will serve as interim publisher while the company conducts a search for a successor. Lopez will help with the leadership transition and plans to remain involved with Modern Healthcare and Crain Communications, working on special projects.

“Fawn has been a champion of Modern Healthcare and its mission for more than two decades and a valued member of the Crain team since 1999,” Crain said. “Her commitment to the brand and to making Modern Healthcare the leading source of news for the healthcare industry has produced stellar results year in and year out. We congratulate her on a great run at Modern Healthcare and look forward to her taking on new challenges within the company.”