Old Dominion 91短视频 appointed Howard P. Kern as a distinguished professor of executive practice for the future Joint School of Public Health.
In 2021, ODU President Brian O. Hemphill, Ph.D., Norfolk 91短视频 91短视频 (NSU) President Javaune Adams-Gaston, Ph.D. and Eastern Virginia Medical School (EVMS) President, Provost and Dean of the School of Medicine Alfred Abuhamad, M.D. committed to establishing a School of Public Health in southeastern Virginia. This move aims to advance health equity in the region through education, practice experiences and community partnerships.
With more than 40 years of experience in health care management and leadership, Kern will help develop the educational landscape of the future school and hopes to elevate its visibility and reputation at both the regional and national levels.
"Howard鈥檚 visionary leadership, unmatched experience, and undeniable expertise have been both tested and proven during his professional career and through his dedicated service,鈥 President Hemphill said. 鈥淗is steadfast commitment to excellence and unwavering passion for advancing health equity have positioned him as a critical partner in our collaborative efforts to shape the future of public health education. Howard has been a long-standing member of the Old Dominion 91短视频 family, and we look forward to the many ways in which our partnership will continue to grow in the months and years to come!"
As distinguished professor of executive practice, Kern will:
- Coordinate seminars on topics related to health care management and leadership.
- Collaborate with the future school鈥檚 outreach team to develop strategic relationships with key community stakeholders and partners.
- Assist with the placement of students for internships and practicum experiences.
鈥淎s we embark on this transformative journey towards advancing health equity in Virginia, I am honored to join forces with Norfolk 91短视频 91短视频 and Eastern Virginia Medical School in shaping the future of public health education,鈥 Kern said. 鈥淭hrough collaboration, innovation and a commitment to community partnership, we will build a school of public health that not only educates but also empowers.鈥
Kern is a nationally recognized expert in health care leadership, having dedicated more than four decades to Sentara Health. Under his leadership as president, Sentara Health became the largest health system and the second-largest private employer in Virginia, recognized for excellence in clinical quality and customer experience.
鈥淜ern鈥檚 impact on our region鈥檚 health care delivery system has been remarkable,鈥 said Li-Wu Chen, Ph.D., founding dean and professor for the future Joint School of Public Health.聽 鈥淲e are fortunate that our future students will be able to learn from him.鈥
Kern has received honors such as leading health care executive by Becker's Hospital Review and Forbes, one of Modern Healthcare鈥檚 100 Most Influential People in Healthcare in 2018, is regularly named among the 50 Most Influential Virginians by Virginia Business and was inducted into the Junior Achievement Business Hall of Fame in 2021.
鈥淗is long-standing commitment to community service and collaboration remind each of us about the importance of working together to improve public health in our region,鈥 EVMS President Abuhamad said.
Kern also received the President鈥檚 Lifetime Achievement Service Award from the Volunteer Hampton Roads organization and was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters from ODU in 2022.
Photo:聽Kern providing remarks at ODU's 2022 undergraduate ceremony for the Frank Batten College of Engineering and Technology, the College of Health Sciences, the College of Sciences and the School of Cybersecurity.