South African-born executive Stanley Bergman exits Henry Schein after 45 years with $53 million stake

South African-born business leader Stanley Bergman, the longest-serving CEO of Henry Schein, will step down at the end of 2025 after more than three decades at the helm of the U.S.-based healthcare giant, Henry Schein, closing a transformative chapter that reshaped the company into a multibillion-dollar global leader.

Stanley Bergman’s exit comes with a stake valued at more than $50 million, marking the end of a 45-year career at the U.S.-based healthcare giant, where he built one of the world’s largest dental and medical distribution companies, underscoring the scale of his long-term impact on the company.

Bergman’s rise from South Africa to Wall Street

Born in Port Elizabeth (now Gqeberha) in 1950, Stanley Bergman’s early life was shaped by apartheid-era South Africa. Raised in a multicultural working-class neighborhood, he witnessed forced removals after his community was declared whites-only in 1963.

He later studied at the University of the Witwatersrand, earning a commerce degree before relocating to London and then New York in his mid-20s. His global journey laid the foundation for a career that would redefine a mid-sized American firm. Stanley Bergman, who joined the company in 1980 and became CEO in 1989, leaves the role with a stake of about 646,847 shares, valued at more than R900 million ($53.48 million), underscoring the scale of value created during his tenure. He will remain chairman as the board initiates a formal search for his successor.

Bergman’s impact on Henry Schein

Over 35 years as CEO, Stanley Bergman led a dramatic expansion that turned Henry Schein from a modest U.S. dental mail-order firm into a global healthcare powerhouse. Revenue surged from $225 million in 1989 to nearly $13 billion in 2024, while market capitalization climbed from $290 million at its 1995 IPO to roughly $9.6 billion today.

The company now operates across more than 30 countries, supplying over 300,000 products and services to dental and medical practitioners worldwide. Under Bergman, it diversified beyond distribution into healthcare technology, digital services, and practice management software, while also expanding into high-growth specialty segments.

Its strategic BOLD+1 framework helped shift earnings toward higher-margin businesses, with these segments contributing more than half of operating income, cementing Henry Schein’s position as a leader in healthcare solutions for office-based practitioners.

Lead Director Philip Laskawy credited Bergman with building “the global leader in dental and medical products and solutions,” highlighting his long-standing influence on both the company and the broader healthcare industry.

From apartheid-era South Africa to global leadership

Born in 1950 in Gqeberha, Stanley Bergman grew up in a multicultural community later dismantled under apartheid. His early experiences, including forced removals in his neighborhood, shaped a leadership philosophy rooted in inclusion and social responsibility.

After earning a commerce degree from the University of the Witwatersrand, he moved abroad, eventually settling in New York and joining Henry Schein as chief financial officer.

He has often attributed his leadership approach to his upbringing, emphasizing values such as empathy, fairness, and long-term thinking, principles that later defined the company’s culture and global partnerships.

What’s next for Henry Schein?

Stanley Bergman said the decision to retire follows strong progress on the company’s long-term strategy and the development of a new generation of leaders. The company recently streamlined operations into three divisions, positioning itself for continued growth across distribution, technology, and specialty healthcare.

While a successor has yet to be named, internal leaders—including senior executives overseeing global distribution, technology, and healthcare specialties, are expected to play key roles in the transition.

Even after stepping down as CEO, Bergman will remain actively involved as chairman, ensuring continuity as Henry Schein navigates its next phase.

A legacy beyond business

Beyond corporate success, Bergman helped position the company as a leader in public-private partnerships aimed at expanding access to healthcare, disaster relief, and strengthening global health systems.

He and his wife, Marion, have also maintained strong ties to South Africa, supporting education and healthcare initiatives, including programs linked to the University of the Witwatersrand.

As he exits the CEO role, Bergman leaves behind not only a $9 billion enterprise but also a legacy defined by growth, innovation, and a commitment to aligning business success with social impact.