Ascension today announced the appointment of Elizabeth "Liz" Fowler, PhD, JD, to its Board of Directors, effective June 3, 2026.
Fowler is a nationally recognized healthcare policy leader and Distinguished Scholar at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and Johns Hopkins Carey Business School. She has spent more than 25 years helping shape healthcare policy and reform across government, academia, and the private sector.
"Dr. Fowler has spent her career working to improve healthcare and expand access to care," said Eduardo Conrado, President and Chief Executive Officer of Ascension. "She brings valuable experience and a strong understanding of the issues facing patients, providers, and communities. As the healthcare landscape evolves, her profound insight into care delivery and national policy will guide us in sustainably expanding high-quality, compassionate care. We are pleased to welcome Liz to the Board of Directors."
Most recently, Fowler served as Deputy Administrator and Director of the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation at the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). In that role, she led efforts to advance accountable care, improve quality, and expand value-based care models across Medicare and Medicaid, overseeing a budget of approximately $1 billion and a team of more than 500 professionals.
"Ascension has a longstanding commitment to serving patients, families, and communities with compassion and excellence," said Liz Fowler. "I am honored to join the Board of Directors and look forward to supporting the organization's Mission while helping advance innovative approaches that improve access, quality, and affordability across healthcare."
Prior to CMS, Fowler served as Executive Vice President of Programs at The Commonwealth Fund and Vice President of Global Health Policy at Johnson & Johnson. She also held senior policy positions in the White House and the U.S. Senate, where she played key roles in the development and implementation of landmark healthcare legislation, including the Affordable Care Act and the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act.
"We are delighted to welcome Liz to the Ascension Board of Directors," said Sheila Burke, incoming Chair of the Ascension Board of Directors. "She brings a wealth of knowledge and experience that will complement the Board's work and help guide Ascension as we look to the future."
