Kevin W. Sowers, a distinguished clinician, educator and academic health care leader, has been appointed president of the Johns Hopkins Health System and executive vice president of Johns Hopkins Medicine. He will assume his new role on Feb. 1. 

Sowers, 56, joins Johns Hopkins Medicine after 32 years with the Duke University Health System, where for the last eight years he has served as president and CEO of Duke University Hospital.

“Kevin is a visionary leader with a deep understanding of the role and responsibilities of academic and community health centers, as well as the challenges we face,” says Paul B. Rothman, dean of the medical faculty and CEO of Johns Hopkins Medicine. “With his experience leading a prestigious academic health center, his ability to forge strong collaborative relationships and his demonstrated knack for thriving in complex environments, Kevin will be instrumental in advancing our mission and reinforcing our commitment to the communities we serve.”

Sowers is the second person to hold this appointment. His predecessor, Ronald R. Peterson, retired last month after a 44-year career of leadership at Johns Hopkins.

As president of Johns Hopkins Health System and executive vice president of Johns Hopkins Medicine, Sowers will help Rothman oversee a system of six hospitals in Maryland, Washington, D.C., and Florida. JohnsHopkins Medicine also comprises several suburban health care and surgery centers; more than 40 outpatient primary health care sites; a full-service home care provider; managed care plans; and hospital management, consulting and clinical education services around the world.

Prior to assuming his current position at Duke University Hospital, Sowers held numerous senior leadership positions across the Duke University Health System, including chief operating officer for Duke University Hospital and interim CEO for Durham Regional Hospital. He also held a variety of senior administrative roles overseeing the consolidation of Duke’s clinical lab services, emergency and trauma services, and managed care and patient care services.

Sowers began his career with Duke University Medical Center Hospital in 1985 as a staff nurse in oncology. For the next nine years, he held several nursing leadership positions, including nurse educator, director of medical oncology and nurse internships, and director of cancer care consortium/unit manager for hematology/oncology/GYN oncology.

Sowers earned his bachelor of science degree from Capital University School of Nursing and a master of science degree from Duke University School of Nursing. He has published extensively and speaks nationally and abroad on issues such as leadership, organizational change, mentorship and cancer care.