On March 24, 2026, Monarch announced the appointment of co-founder Anna Lohrfink as chief executive officer. Hani Elias, also a co-founder and the company's founding CEO, has transitioned to chairman of the board. The change places an executive who helped shape Monarch's physician partnership model in the CEO role, while Elias continues to support its long-term direction through the board.
Monarch works with women's health specialists who want to build independent, membership-based practices. Its Zero-Equity Model provides upfront capital and operational support while physicians retain ownership of their practices and authority over clinical decisions. The leadership transition is tied to the company's work to extend that model to more physicians without replacing the clinician's voice in patient care.
A leader who helped shape the model
Before her appointment, Lohrfink served as Monarch's Chief Product Officer. She helped develop the care model and physician partnerships that underpin the company's work. Her background includes women's health advocacy, sociology and investment work. Those experiences have informed her focus on the structures that allow physicians to make relationship-based care sustainable.
A physician considering independent practice must account for both care design and the work of operating a business. Launch planning, staffing, technology, patient communications and ongoing administration can remain substantial responsibilities even when the physician's clinical vision is clear. Monarch partners with practice owners on those nonclinical functions. The physician continues to lead the practice and make medical decisions for patients.
Continuity in Monarch's next phase
Lohrfink's appointment brings continuity to a model she helped create. As CEO, she will guide the next stage of Monarch's physician partnerships and the infrastructure that supports them. Elias, as chairman, will continue to support the company's long-term vision and strategic growth. The two roles reflect the company's focus on sustaining independent practices as its network expands.
Monarch's approach is intended for women's health specialists across fields that include obstetrics and gynecology, family and internal medicine, and urology. Each physician's specialty and patient population shape the care offered in that practice. Monarch provides operational backing, while ownership, clinical judgment and the doctor-patient relationship remain with the physician.
That distinction matters to physicians evaluating a move away from high-volume practice. More time for patients requires a workable operating model as well as a clinical commitment. Monarch's support addresses the financial and administrative work of building a practice, allowing physicians to plan for longer, more personal visits without surrendering independence. The services, visit structure and membership terms of any practice remain specific to its physician owner.
Physicians interested in independent, membership-based practice can learn about Monarch's support model at monarchmd.com. Media inquiries can be directed through the company website.
About Monarch
Monarch partners with women's health physicians to build independently owned, membership-based practices. Through its Zero-Equity Model, Monarch provides upfront capital and operational infrastructure while physicians retain practice ownership and clinical autonomy. Learn more at monarchmd.com.
