Johns Hopkins Medicine Executive and Leadership Team

September, 2026

Leadership Overview

Johns Hopkins Medicine has 10 executives leading key functions including administration, operations, financial management, strategic planning, and information technology.

Committed to advancing global health through research and clinical excellence, Johns Hopkins Medicine integrates academic discovery with patient-centered care to transform medical outcomes across diverse populations.

Leadership Roles at Johns Hopkins Medicine

  • Executive VP, Finance & Chief Financial Officer - Cheryl Sadro
  • Vice President & Chief Financial Officer - William Thomas
  • Chief Financial Officer, Ambulatory Services - Fortrella Cummings
  • Vice President, Finance & Chief Financial Officer - Scott Bearrows
  • Chief Operating Officer - Jennifer Pemberton
  • Chief Operating Officer, Office of Johns Hopkins Physicians - Melissa Helicke
  • Chief of Staff - Kelly Ehrhart
  • Chief of Staff To the Provost and Associate Vice Provost for Strategic Initiatives - Julie Messersmith
  • Senior Associate Dean for Strategy and Chief of Staff - Bess Vincent
  • Chief Information Officer, Enterprise & Senior VP - Richard Mendola
  • Cheryl Sadro - Executive VP, Finance & Chief Financial Officer

    Cheryl Sadro, the Executive VP, Finance & Chief Financial Officer at Johns Hopkins Medicine, manages the fiscal health and long-term financial strategy of the entire academic healthcare system. Sadro directs capital investment planning, budgeting, and revenue cycle management to support ongoing medical research and clinical expansion. By analyzing complex financial data, the Executive VP, Finance & Chief Financial Officer ensures that resources flow effectively toward high-impact patient care initiatives. Cheryl Sadro collaborates with the Board to maintain fiscal stability while funding innovative medical technologies. This role involves overseeing large-scale financial reporting and compliance across all hospital entities. Sadro implements robust financial controls that protect the institution against market volatility. Through strategic financial planning, the Executive VP, Finance & Chief Financial Officer enables the organization to sustain its leadership in medical education and patient treatment. Sadro remains committed to optimizing the financial structure to support the long-term sustainability of the healthcare mission.

    William Thomas - Vice President & Chief Financial Officer

    William Thomas, the Vice President & Chief Financial Officer at Johns Hopkins Medicine, oversees the financial operations for specific clinical divisions and service lines. Thomas manages departmental budgets, cost-containment strategies, and financial forecasting to ensure operational efficiency. By analyzing divisional performance, the Vice President & Chief Financial Officer identifies opportunities for revenue growth and expense reduction. William Thomas works closely with clinical leadership to align financial goals with patient care requirements. This role involves managing the financial health of specialized medical units, ensuring that each department operates within its fiscal constraints. Thomas implements data-driven financial models that support the expansion of clinical services. Through rigorous oversight of divisional finances, the Vice President & Chief Financial Officer contributes to the overall fiscal strength of the organization. Thomas maintains a focus on transparency and accountability, ensuring that financial resources are utilized to improve patient outcomes and support the broader institutional mission.

    Fortrella Cummings - Chief Financial Officer, Ambulatory Services

    Fortrella Cummings, the Chief Financial Officer, Ambulatory Services at Johns Hopkins Medicine, directs the financial strategy for outpatient care and community-based medical services. Cummings manages the revenue cycle, billing operations, and financial planning for ambulatory clinics to ensure accessibility and efficiency. By optimizing the financial performance of outpatient facilities, the Chief Financial Officer, Ambulatory Services supports the expansion of patient care beyond traditional hospital settings. Fortrella Cummings monitors market trends to adjust pricing and service models, ensuring that ambulatory care remains competitive and sustainable. This role involves collaborating with clinical managers to improve patient throughput and service quality. Cummings implements financial systems that streamline the patient experience while maintaining fiscal integrity. Through strategic management of ambulatory resources, the Chief Financial Officer, Ambulatory Services enables the organization to reach more patients effectively. Cummings remains dedicated to balancing financial performance with the commitment to providing high-quality, accessible healthcare services to the community.

    Scott Bearrows - Vice President, Finance & Chief Financial Officer

    Scott Bearrows, the Vice President, Finance & Chief Financial Officer at Johns Hopkins Medicine, manages the financial infrastructure for key operational units within the healthcare system. Bearrows oversees financial reporting, audit compliance, and resource management to ensure the stability of clinical operations. By developing comprehensive financial plans, the Vice President, Finance & Chief Financial Officer supports the execution of strategic projects and infrastructure investments. Scott Bearrows collaborates with executive leadership to evaluate the financial feasibility of new medical programs and technology acquisitions. This role involves maintaining rigorous financial standards to protect the assets of the institution. Bearrows implements efficient accounting processes that provide clear visibility into operational costs. Through strategic financial oversight, the Vice President, Finance & Chief Financial Officer enables the organization to maintain its competitive edge in the healthcare market. Bearrows remains focused on driving financial performance that supports the long-term growth and clinical success of the entire medical system.

    Jennifer Pemberton - Chief Operating Officer

    Jennifer Pemberton, the Chief Operating Officer at Johns Hopkins Medicine, directs the daily clinical and administrative functions across the hospital network. Pemberton oversees the integration of advanced patient care protocols with operational workflows to maximize efficiency. By managing resource allocation and facility performance, the Chief of Staff ensures that medical teams possess the necessary tools for high-quality service delivery. Jennifer Pemberton monitors key performance indicators to maintain excellence in patient outcomes and operational safety. This leadership position requires constant coordination with clinical directors to address capacity challenges and improve service access. Pemberton implements scalable solutions that support the expansion of medical services across regional markets. Through meticulous oversight of hospital operations, the Chief of Staff secures the financial and clinical health of the organization. Pemberton maintains a focus on continuous improvement, ensuring that every operational decision aligns with the core mission of providing superior healthcare to patients locally and globally.

    Melissa Helicke - Chief Operating Officer, Office of Johns Hopkins Physicians

    Melissa Helicke, the Chief Operating Officer, Office of Johns Hopkins Physicians at Johns Hopkins Medicine, directs the operational activities for the physician group. Helicke manages practice management, provider scheduling, and clinical workflow optimization to ensure high-quality patient care. By overseeing the administrative functions of the physician network, the Chief Operating Officer, Office of Johns Hopkins Physicians supports the delivery of specialized treatments across various medical disciplines. Melissa Helicke collaborates with clinical leaders to improve patient access and satisfaction. This role involves implementing operational standards that enhance the efficiency of physician practices. Helicke monitors performance metrics to ensure that the physician group meets its clinical and financial targets. Through strategic management of physician operations, the Chief Operating Officer, Office of Johns Hopkins Physicians enables the organization to maintain its leadership in medical practice. Helicke remains focused on creating a supportive environment that allows physicians to provide exceptional care to patients.
    Melissa Helicke

    Kelly Ehrhart - Chief of Staff

    Kelly Ehrhart, the Chief of Staff at Johns Hopkins Medicine, coordinates executive workflows and facilitates cross-departmental communication to ensure organizational alignment. Ehrhart manages high-level administrative priorities, enabling the leadership team to focus on clinical innovation and academic research goals. By streamlining internal processes, the Chief of Staff optimizes the efficiency of the executive office. Kelly Ehrhart maintains rigorous standards for operational excellence, supporting the broader mission of delivering world-class healthcare. This role involves frequent collaboration with department heads to resolve complex institutional challenges. Through proactive management of daily operations, the Chief of Staff fosters a culture of accountability and transparency. Ehrhart drives initiatives that enhance the overall effectiveness of the healthcare system, ensuring that strategic objectives remain the primary focus. The Chief of Staff remains dedicated to supporting the complex needs of this academic medical institution while maintaining a clear vision for future growth and patient service improvements.

    Julie Messersmith - Chief of Staff To the Provost and Associate Vice Provost for Strategic Initiatives

    Julie Messersmith, the Chief of Staff To the Provost and Associate Vice Provost for Strategic Initiatives at Johns Hopkins Medicine, architects the strategic alignment between academic research and clinical application. Messersmith manages high-priority initiatives that bridge the gap between educational programs and patient care delivery. By coordinating with faculty and administrative leaders, the Chief of Staff To the Provost and Associate Vice Provost for Strategic Initiatives ensures that institutional goals receive adequate support and resources. Julie Messersmith drives the development of new strategic frameworks that enhance the reputation of the medical system. This role involves navigating complex academic environments to foster innovation in medical training and research. Messersmith monitors the progress of key initiatives, providing the Provost with actionable insights for decision-making. Through careful planning and execution, the Chief of Staff To the Provost and Associate Vice Provost for Strategic Initiatives strengthens the connection between academic excellence and the practical needs of the healthcare system.

    Bess Vincent - Senior Associate Dean for Strategy and Chief of Staff

    Bess Vincent, the Senior Associate Dean for Strategy and Chief of Staff at Johns Hopkins Medicine, architects the long-term strategic vision for the medical school and its clinical partners. Vincent manages the integration of research priorities with educational and patient care objectives. By facilitating communication between the Dean and department heads, the Senior Associate Dean for Strategy and Chief of Staff ensures that institutional initiatives receive consistent support. Bess Vincent drives the development of strategic plans that address emerging challenges in medical education and healthcare delivery. This role involves analyzing institutional performance to identify areas for growth and improvement. Vincent coordinates cross-functional teams to execute complex projects that enhance the reputation of the institution. Through proactive leadership, the Senior Associate Dean for Strategy and Chief of Staff aligns the efforts of faculty and staff with the core mission of advancing medical knowledge and improving patient health outcomes globally.

    Richard Mendola - Chief Information Officer, Enterprise & Senior VP

    Richard Mendola, the Chief Information Officer, Enterprise & Senior VP at Johns Hopkins Medicine, architects the digital infrastructure and technology strategy for the entire healthcare system. Mendola manages the implementation of electronic health records, cybersecurity protocols, and data analytics platforms to support clinical and research activities. By overseeing the enterprise-wide technology stack, the Chief Information Officer, Enterprise & Senior VP ensures that medical teams have secure and reliable access to patient information. Richard Mendola drives digital transformation initiatives that improve the efficiency of healthcare delivery. This role involves collaborating with clinical and administrative leaders to integrate new technologies into daily workflows. Mendola maintains a focus on data integrity and system availability to support the mission of providing advanced patient care. Through strategic management of information technology, the Chief Information Officer, Enterprise & Senior VP enables the organization to leverage data for better health outcomes and medical innovation.
    Richard Mendola

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    Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Johns Hopkins Medicine Top Executives and Leadership Team

    Who leads Johns Hopkins Medicine?
    Johns Hopkins Medicine is led by Cheryl Sadro (Executive VP, Finance & Chief Financial Officer), along with executives such as William Thomas (Vice President & Chief Financial Officer) and Fortrella Cummings (Chief Financial Officer, Ambulatory Services).
    Who is part of Johns Hopkins Medicine’s executive team?
    The executive team of Johns Hopkins Medicine includes leaders such as Cheryl Sadro (Executive VP, Finance & Chief Financial Officer), William Thomas (Vice President & Chief Financial Officer), Fortrella Cummings (Chief Financial Officer, Ambulatory Services) and other senior executives.
    How many executives does Johns Hopkins Medicine have?
    Johns Hopkins Medicine has 10 executives leading key business areas.
    What roles are included in Johns Hopkins Medicine’s leadership team?
    The leadership team of Johns Hopkins Medicine includes roles such as Executive VP, Finance & Chief Financial Officer, Vice President & Chief Financial Officer, Chief Financial Officer, Ambulatory Services, Vice President, Finance & Chief Financial Officer, Chief Operating Officer.