Howard P. Kern is among the most innovative healthcare leaders in the country with a strong track record of executive leadership throughout his 42 years of health care management. From 2016 through August, 2022 he served as President and CEO of Sentara Healthcare, a nationally top-ranked integrated health system headquartered in Norfolk, VA with net revenues of $11 billion and 32,000 employees. He now serves as Sentara’s CEO Emeritus, advising the CEO and Board of Directors on strategy and policy issues and programs. He is a recognized expert on hospital leadership topics such as strategy, business growth, successfully managing mergers and acquisitions, leadership development, and improving the patient experience.

Howard obtained his Master’s Degree in health administration from the Medical College of Virginia and is a Fellow in the American College of Healthcare Executives. He is regularly recognized as one of the 50 Most Influential Virginians by Virginia Business and has appeared on the Inside Business Power list. He was named to the Hampton Roads Business Hall of Fame in October, 2021 by Junior Achievement of Greater Hampton Roads, Inc. and received the President’s Lifetime Achievement Service Award from the Volunteer Hampton Roads organization in April, 2022.

He serves on numerous not-for-profit professional boards and community organizations in Hampton Roads, the Commonwealth of Virginia and nationally.