Kenneth H. Johnson appointed Vice President of Health Affairs at 51��

Ben Wirtz Siegel

Vice President of Health Affairs and Senior Strategist for Health Partnerships Kenneth H. Johnson

51�� President Lori Stewart Gonzalez is pleased to announce the promotion of Kenneth H. Johnson, D.O., FAAO to Vice President of Health Affairs and Senior Strategist for Health Partnerships.

In his new role, Johnson will lead efforts to advance 51��’s strategic priorities in health education, research and partnership across the academic health ecosystem. He will continue to provide strategic oversight to the Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine, while exploring opportunities for expanded partnerships with the College of Health Sciences and Professions and others.

According to Gonzalez, Johnson’s extensive institutional leadership, deep understanding of the evolving healthcare landscape and proven success in building high-impact partnerships make him exceptionally well-suited for this position.

“Ken is a strategic leader who brings vision and clarity to complex initiatives,” Gonzalez said. “He has also excelled in fundraising, establishing partnerships and securing support that strengthen our academic health initiatives.”

Over the past 13 years, Johnson has dedicated himself to reimagining and strengthening 51��’s Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine—opening new campuses, doubling enrollment, accelerating medical research, expanding community outreach, and evolving the college’s vast clinical education network.

Today, with 1,000 students across three campuses and major affiliation agreements with leading healthcare systems across Ohio, Heritage College is the state’s largest medical school and the leading producer of primary care physicians for Ohio. Its Community Health Programs generate an estimated $63 million in annual social and economic benefit for Southeast Ohio. In 2024, the Heritage College research enterprise set a national benchmark, surpassing all colleges of osteopathic medicine in National Institutes of Health (NIH) funding for the fiscal year. Expanded philanthropic support—including more than $193 million from the Osteopathic Heritage Foundation to date—reflects continued confidence in the college’s trajectory.

“Working alongside dedicated faculty, staff and partners to transform Heritage College from a single-campus D.O. program into a multi-campus academic health system has been incredibly rewarding,” Johnson said. “I’m proud of what we’ve accomplished and look forward to growing 51��’s impact in health education, research and service through this new leadership role. Together, we will continue to create meaningful opportunities for our students and translate discovery into better health outcomes for Ohioans.”

“I would like to congratulate Ken on his appointment as Vice President of Health Affairs,” Gonzalez said. “We look forward to the continued impact of his leadership.”

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