Universal Health Services, Inc. (UHS)
NYSE: UHS · Real-Time Price · USD
172.72
-3.06 (-1.74%)
Sep 10, 2026, 4:00 PM EDT - Market closed
← View all transcripts

AGM 2020

May 20, 2020

Operator

Hello, welcome to the annual meeting of stockholders of Universal Health Services, Inc. Please note that today's meeting is being recorded. After the formal meeting has adjourned, we'll have a question and answer section. Any stockholder logged into the virtual meeting web portal using their 15-digit control can submit questions or comments at any time by clicking on the message icon. Out of consideration for other stockholders, please limit yourself to one question relevant to the annual stockholders meeting. The company will attempt to answer as many questions as time allows. If time does not permit all questions to be addressed, you are encouraged to submit your question as instructed via the investor section of the company's website. It is now my pleasure to turn today's meeting over to Alan B. Miller, Chairman and CEO of Universal Health Services, Inc. Mr. Miller, the floor is yours.

Alan B. Miller
Chairman and CEO, Universal Health Services

Okay. Thank you very much. Welcome to the annual meeting of stockholders of Universal Health Services. Due to the unprecedented public health impact of COVID-19 pandemic, and to support the health and wellbeing of our communities, employees, stockholders, and other stakeholders, this year's annual meeting is being conducted completely virtually via a live audio webcast. I am Alan Miller, Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive. I would like to introduce the other directors and officers of the company who are participating in today's meeting. Directors and officers Marc Miller, the President, Larry Gibbs, Maria Singer, Eileen McDonnell, Warren Nimetz, and Dr. Elliot Sussman. Steve Filton and Chick Boyle, officers of the company, are in attendance. In addition, Jeff Williams and Bill Liva of PricewaterhouseCoopers, our independent auditors, are participating today and available to respond to any questions.

Jay Vollmer of Computershare, our transfer agent, is participating today and will act as Inspector of Elections as to the Class B and D votes. In order to avoid any confusion, let me take a few moments to outline the format. First, each company proposal will be made and seconded. The Board of Directors' position on each proposal is set forth in the proxy statement, which was made available to all stockholders eligible to vote. Next, we will tally the preliminary votes with regard to respective proposals. The polls on our virtual meeting website opened at approximately 9:50 A.M. Eastern Time this morning. Any stockholders who have logged into the virtual meeting web portal using their 15-digit control numbers and who wish to make or change their votes online should do so right now. Okay, the polls are now closed.

For the record, as persons appointed in the official proxy, Mr. Filton and I have voted in accordance with the proxies received from stockholders. Once the votes on all the proposals have been tallied and the results announced, the meeting will be adjourned. After the meeting is adjourned, we will attempt to answer as many stockholder questions as time allows. This meeting will please come to order. Mr. Steve Filton will act as Secretary of the meeting and Inspector of Elections as to the Class A and Class C votes. Mr. Filton.

Steve Filton
EVP and CFO, Universal Health Services

Mr. Chairman, I present the affidavits of Computershare and this company with respect to the notification to the company's stockholders of the notice of the meeting. The annual report, the proxy statement, and the forms of proxy, which were mailed to Class A and C and to Class B and D stockholders who requested to receive printed proxy materials. I also present the affidavits of the Inspectors of Elections and the voting certification for the Class A and C stock prepared and certified by me as Secretary of the company.

Alan B. Miller
Chairman and CEO, Universal Health Services

The affidavits, forms of proxy materials, and voting certification are directed to be filed with the company's records.

Steve Filton
EVP and CFO, Universal Health Services

Mr. Chairman, I present the certified list of holders of the company's Class B and D common stock as of the close of business on March 24th, 2020, the record date for this meeting, as prepared and certified by Computershare, transfer agent and registrar for Class B and D common stock, and a certified list of holders of the company's Class A and C common stock as prepared and certified by me as Secretary of the company, transfer agent, and registrar for Class A and C common stock.

Alan B. Miller
Chairman and CEO, Universal Health Services

The lists of common stockholders are directed to be filed with the company's records.

Steve Filton
EVP and CFO, Universal Health Services

Mr. Chairman, the transfer agent has computed the number of shares of Class B and Class D common stock represented by the official forms of proxy provided to the Class B and Class D stockholders and the number of shares of such classes present or represented here. I have computed the number of shares of Class A and Class C common stock represented by the forms of proxy provided to Class A and Class C stockholders and the number of shares of such classes present or represented here. For purposes of voting for one director by the holders of Class A and Class C common stock, the holders of a majority of the shares of Class A and Class C common stock are present or represented here.

For purposes of voting on each of the other proposals at the meeting, the holders of a majority of common stock votes are present or represented here.

Alan B. Miller
Chairman and CEO, Universal Health Services

A quorum for all matters is present, and the meeting is properly constituted for the transaction of business. As set forth in the notice sent to each of the stockholders, the business of this meeting includes, one, the election by Class A and Class C stockholders of one member of the board, and the election by Class B and Class D of one member of the board of directors. Two, the approval of the Universal Health Services 2020 Omnibus Stock and Incentive Plan. Three, the non-binding advisory vote to approve named executive officer compensation, and four, the ratification of the selection of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as the company's independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2020. The meeting will now proceed to the election of one director of the company by the holders of Class A and Class C common stock.

We will now accept the nomination for one director to be elected by the holders of Class A and Class C common stock.

Marc Miller
President, Universal Health Services

I nominate Mr. Alan B. Miller for election by the holders of Class A and Class C common stock to serve as director of the company for a three-year term and until his successor has been elected and has qualified.

Steve Filton
EVP and CFO, Universal Health Services

I second the motion.

Alan B. Miller
Chairman and CEO, Universal Health Services

Since there are no other nominations, the nominations are closed.

Steve Filton
EVP and CFO, Universal Health Services

As a person appointed in the proxy, I have voted in accordance with the proxies received from all the Class A and Class C common stockholders who returned the official form of proxy. 7,238,788 votes were cast in favor of the election of Mr. Alan B. Miller, and no votes were withheld.

Alan B. Miller
Chairman and CEO, Universal Health Services

Based on that report, the chair declares that Mr. Alan B. Miller has been elected to serve as a director of the company for a three-year term. The meeting will now proceed to the election of one director of the company by the holders of Class B and Class D common stock. We will now accept the nomination for a director to be elected by the holders of said Class B and Class D common stock.

Marc Miller
President, Universal Health Services

I nominate Mr. Lawrence S. Gibbs for election by the holders of Class B and Class D common stock to serve as a director of the company for a three-year term and until his successor has been elected and has qualified.

Steve Filton
EVP and CFO, Universal Health Services

I second the motion.

Alan B. Miller
Chairman and CEO, Universal Health Services

Since there are no other nominations, the nominations are closed.

Steve Filton
EVP and CFO, Universal Health Services

As a person appointed in the proxy, I have voted in accordance with the proxies received from all the Class B and Class D common stockholders who returned the official form of proxy. 45,138,738 votes have been cast in favor of the election of Mr. Lawrence S. Gibbs, and 23,128,663 votes have been withheld.

Alan B. Miller
Chairman and CEO, Universal Health Services

Based on that report, Mr. Lawrence S. Gibbs has received a plurality of the votes cast, and the chair declares that Mr. Lawrence S. Gibbs has been elected to serve as a director of the company for a three-year term. As the next order of business, the meeting will now proceed to the approval of the Universal Health Services 2020 Omnibus Stock and Incentive Plan by the holders of Class A, C, B, and D. We will now entertain a motion to approve the Universal Health Services Omnibus Stock and Incentive Plan.

Marc Miller
President, Universal Health Services

I move to approve the Universal Health Services 2020 Omnibus Stock and Incentive Plan.

Steve Filton
EVP and CFO, Universal Health Services

I second the motion. As a person appointed in the proxy, I have voted in accordance with the proxies received from all the Class A, Class C, Class B, and Class D common stockholders who returned the official form of proxy. 61,339,002 votes were cast in favor of the approval of the Universal Health Services, Inc. 2020 Omnibus Stock and Incentive Plan. 3,856,193 votes were cast against, and 2,684 votes abstained.

Alan B. Miller
Chairman and CEO, Universal Health Services

Based on that report, I declare the Universal Health Services 2020 Omnibus Stock and Incentive Plan has been approved. As the next order of business, the meeting will now proceed to the advisory, non-binding vote to approve named executive officer compensation by the holders of Class A, C, B, and D common stock. We will now entertain a motion to approve named executive officer compensation by those holders.

Marc Miller
President, Universal Health Services

I move for the approval of the named executive officer compensation.

Steve Filton
EVP and CFO, Universal Health Services

I second the motion. As a person appointed in the proxy, I have voted in accordance with the proxies received from all the Class A, C, B, and D common stockholders who returned the official form of proxy. 58,722,749 votes were cast in favor of the approval of the named executive officer compensation, 6,471,435 votes were cast against, and 3,695 votes abstained.

Alan B. Miller
Chairman and CEO, Universal Health Services

Based on that report, I declare the approval of the non-binding advisory vote to approve named executive officer compensation. As the next order of business, the meeting will now proceed to the ratification of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as the company's independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2020 by the holders of Classes A, C, B, and D common stock. We will now entertain a motion to ratify Pricewaterhouse as the company's independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2020 by the holders of Class A, C, B, and D common stock.

Marc Miller
President, Universal Health Services

I move to ratify PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as the company's independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2020.

Steve Filton
EVP and CFO, Universal Health Services

I second the motion. As a person appointed in the proxy, I have voted in accordance with the proxies received from all the Class A, C, B, and D common stockholders who returned the official form of proxy. 65,368,600 votes were cast in favor of ratification of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as the company's independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2020. 91,992 votes were cast against, and 2,090 votes abstained.

Alan B. Miller
Chairman and CEO, Universal Health Services

Based on that report, I declare the ratification of PricewaterhouseCoopers as the company's independent registered public accounting firm. This completes our agenda. I thank you for listening through the legal formalities of the meeting. The Chair will entertain a motion for adjournment of the meeting.

Marc Miller
President, Universal Health Services

I move that the meeting be adjourned.

Steve Filton
EVP and CFO, Universal Health Services

I second that motion.

Alan B. Miller
Chairman and CEO, Universal Health Services

All in favor of the motion, please say aye.

Steve Filton
EVP and CFO, Universal Health Services

Aye.

Marc Miller
President, Universal Health Services

Aye.

Alan B. Miller
Chairman and CEO, Universal Health Services

All opposed. Okay, the motion is carried and the meeting is adjourned. The business affairs of the company were fully discussed in my letter and the balance of the annual report. I will be glad to answer any questions which the stockholders may have concerning the business and affairs of the company. I thank you for your attendance.

Operator

At this time, the company would like to take any questions you might have for them today. If any stockholders logged into the virtual meeting web portal using their 15-digit control numbers would like to ask a question, if you have not already done so, please submit your question now by clicking on the message icon. Out of consideration for other stockholders, please limit yourself to one question relevant to the annual stockholders meeting. The company will attempt to answer as many questions as time allows. However, if time does not permit all questions to be addressed, you are encouraged to submit your question as instructed via the investor section of the company's website.

Steve Filton
EVP and CFO, Universal Health Services

Mr. Chairman, we had at least one question, which I'll read to you. It is, "What is the current status of the Department of Justice settlement? Has the agreement changed? When will a corporate integrity agreement be formed and available to the public?

Alan B. Miller
Chairman and CEO, Universal Health Services

Is Matt, our attorney, there?

Steve Filton
EVP and CFO, Universal Health Services

No, he's not, Alan.

Alan B. Miller
Chairman and CEO, Universal Health Services

Steve, do you want to answer the question?

Steve Filton
EVP and CFO, Universal Health Services

Sure. As we've disclosed in our publicly filed documents, we have reached a tentative settlement with the government on the DOJ settlement. We continue to negotiate final agreements. While there's no guarantee that those will reach conclusion, we're hopeful that they will, and in relatively short order in the next few months. There will be a corporate integrity agreement as part of that the company is fully prepared to comply with.

Alan B. Miller
Chairman and CEO, Universal Health Services

Any another question? Any others?

Steve Filton
EVP and CFO, Universal Health Services

At the moment, Mr. Chairman, there are no other questions.

Alan B. Miller
Chairman and CEO, Universal Health Services

Okay. I hereby declare the meeting officially over. The question period is over, and I thank everyone for their attendance. We will talk with you next year. Bye-bye.

Operator

This concludes the meeting. You may now disconnect.