Kevin W. Sowers Oral History Interview, 2018-2018
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Summary
- Creator:
- Sowers, Kevin W.
- Abstract:
- Kevin W. Sowers received his BSN from Capital University in Columbus, Ohio, and his MSN from Duke University School of Nursing. He began his nursing career at Duke as an oncology nurse. Throughout his 32 year career at Duke, Sowers moved from a clinical to management role. This collection contains 1 oral history interview, conducted in two parts on January 22, 2018 by Joseph O'Connell. The interview traces his career as an oncology nurse and hospital administrator. Sowers discusses his upbringing in rural Ohio, the development of his passion for patient care, and the evolution of his responsibilities as a leader in the Duke University Hospital organization, as well as his decision to leave Duke. Major topics include nursing and gender; oncology nursing as a specialty; mentorship and leadership dynamics; and the changing economics of academic healthcare organizations.
- Extent:
- 1 interview (1 transcript) and 439 MB
- Language:
- English
- Collection ID:
- OH.SOWERSK
Background
- Scope and content:
-
Includes 1 oral history interview with Kevin Sowers conducted in two parts on January 22, 2018 by Joseph O'Connell.
At the time of the interview, Sowers had recently stepped down from his role as President and CEO of Duke University Hospital. The interview traces his career as an oncology nurse and hospital administrator. Sowers discusses his upbringing in rural Ohio, the development of his passion for patient care, and the evolution of his responsibilities as a leader in the Duke University Hospital organization, as well as his decision to leave Duke. Major topics include nursing and gender; oncology nursing as a specialty; mentorship and leadership dynamics; and the changing economics of academic healthcare organizations. - Biographical / historical:
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Kevin W. Sowers was first inspired to pursue a career in healthcare by a part time job in a nursing home in his home state of Ohio. Sowers received his BSN from Capital University in Columbus, Ohio, and his MSN from Duke University School of Nursing.
An interest in oncology nursing drew Sowers to Duke, one of the major cancer centers in the country. He joined Duke Hospital in 1985 as a staff nurse in oncology. While working as an oncology nurse, Sowers earned his MSN and helped develop oncology nursing as a specialty in the Duke system
During his time at Duke, Sowers moved from a clinical role into one of management, and, from 2009 to 2018, he served as President and Chief Operating Officer of Duke University Hospital. In 2018, Sowers left Duke University Hospital to become the President of the Johns Hopkins Health System and Executive Vice President of Johns Hopkins Medicine.
Sowers is internationally known for his lectures and writings on leadership, organizational change, mentorship, and cancer care. He served in leadership roles with the American Heart Association, Susan G. Kormen, and the Oncology Nursing Society. - Acquisition information:
- Accession A2018.008 (transferred by Joseph O'Connell, February 2018)
- Processing information:
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Processed by Lucy Waldrop: March 2018
- Arrangement:
- Organized into the following series: Interview, January 22, 2018.
- Rules or conventions:
- DACS
Subjects
Click on terms below to find related finding aids on this site.
- Personal Name(s):
- Sowers, Kevin W.
- Corporate Name(s):
- Duke University. Hospital
Duke University Health System - Topical Term(s):
- Interview.
Nursing.
Hospital Administration.
Contents
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- Restrictions:
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None.
- Terms of access:
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Copyright for Official University records is held by Duke University; all other copyright is retained by the authors of items in these papers, or their descendants, as stipulated by United States copyright law.
- Preferred citation:
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[Identification of item], Kevin W. Sowers Oral History Interview, Duke University Medical Center Archives.