ABC Paves The Way For Grey’s Anatomy’s Forgotten Best Chief’s Return To Power

Published Nov 6, 2026, 8:00 AM EST Antonella Gugliersi (she/them) has been a feature writer for Screen Rant since 2021. While studying for her bachelor’s in Economics & Management, they started writing about movies and TV shows for Turin-based The Unconventional Mag. After a brief internship at TPI, she decided she wanted to pursue journalism and graduated with a degree in International Journalism from Brunel University. Warning! SPOILERS ahead for Grey’s Anatomy season 23, episode 4.Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital has had its fair share of chiefs of surgery, but its best one may finally return thanks to one development in Grey’s Anatomy season 23, episode 4. In the two decades the ABC medical drama has been on air, plenty of surgeons have succeeded one another as chiefs, with only a handful proving up to the task, in spite of all leaving a mark on the place in their own way. Richard Webber, Seattle Grace’s original chief, was undoubtedly one of them, but he wasn’t alone in there, as Owen Hunt revolutionized the hospital during his time as chief and generally proved his worth. Similarly, becoming chief of surgery crowned the years of hard work that Bailey dedicated to Grey Sloan Memorial, only leaving the post when it became too clear that the job wasn’t worth the stress that came with it. Teddy Altman’s promotion in Grey’s Anatomy season 19 gave Grey Sloan Memorial someone who wanted to be chief, but her and Owen’s exits left it once again without one. Catherine Fox’s decision to create Grey Sloan Memorial’s very own VIP floor nevertheless caused Seth Norton to become chief in Grey’s Anatomy season 23, in a move that immediately alerted Meredith to the threat his priorities posed. Richard finally understood where she was coming from after seeing how the VIP floor was changing the priorities of the hospital’s interns too, destroying his life’s work. However, it’s another decision of Webber’s to pave the way for his return as Grey Sloan’s chief of surgery. Webber Changing His Mind About Kwan Proves He Should Be Grey Sloan Memorial's Chief ABC Learning that Kwan had administered a treatment for a patient that the FDA had expressly forbidden put Webber on the warpath in Grey’s Anatomy season 22, even if Kwan’s admission effectively cleared Bailey of any wrongdoing, as she didn’t have to take the blame for his choice. Webber not only fired Kwan and reiterated his anger at him multiple times when he saw him help out during the bridge collapse, but he also kicked him out of the ER again in Grey’s Anatomy season 23’s premiere. No matter how Altman or Bailey were both willing to give Kwan a second chance in different moments of the story, Webber refused to budge. His discussion with Kwan in Grey’s Anatomy season 23, episode 4’s ending nevertheless showed Webber capable of changing his mind. Even more importantly, Webber admitting that it was good for Kwan to rest before welcoming him back into the OR with Bailey the next day proved Richard could admit when he was wrong. Even if Kwan going over Webber’s head by shooting his shot with Norton angered Webber, his going above and beyond for his patients proved Kwan worthy of redemption in Grey’s Anatomy season 23. Webber realizing that after his vocal campaign against readmitting Kwan to the residency program showed he can do whatever is needed for the good of Grey Sloan Memorial, even move past his personal feelings, highlighting his being ready to take over as the hospital’s chief permanently, at last. Why Webber Returning As Chief Is The Best Possible Development For Grey's Anatomy Season 23 MovieStillsDB Webber served as interim chief of Grey Sloan Memorial several more times than his first permanent stint in the role. However, every time he returned to the position to help the hospital, he never considered taking over the role permanently, wanting to spend more time with Catherine or in the OR instead. The changes Norton is spearheading at Grey’s Anatomy’s hospital nevertheless make Richard’s return topical. Richard becoming Grey Sloan Memorial’s chief again can work for both his story and Grey’s Anatomy season 23’s general direction. Grey’s Anatomy season 22 already showed Webber slowing down, not itching to be in the OR all the time. Moving on to a fully bureaucratic role would not force Webber to split his time between different commitments, instead giving Grey Sloan a leader who shaped the hospital, cares about it as a whole, and is willing to dedicate himself fully to that. Meredith’s reaction to Norton and Olympic Regent Health already established him as villain-adjacent for how he wants to transform Grey Sloan Memorial. Webber agreeing with her at last puts him in a position to do something about Norton, and forces him to fight about what kind of hospital he wants to develop, giving him a meaningful foe to quash. This can simultaneously create compelling drama for Grey’s Anatomy season 23 and finally install a permanent chief who can do Grey Sloan Memorial’s interests without distorting what the hospital represents. Release Date March 27, 2005 Network ABC Showrunner Meg Marinis Cast Ellen Pompeo Dr. Meredith Grey Chandra Wilson Dr. Miranda Bailey Created by Shonda Rhimes, long-running medical drama Grey's Anatomy depicts the professional and personal lives of the employees of a Seattle hospital.