Gaithersburg, Md. – October 01, 2026 -- Adventist HealthCare has appointed Opal Howard as Senior Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer, placing her on the health system's senior leadership team following a national search.
Howard brings 30 years of HR leadership from AdventHealth to the new role
Howard joins after more than three decades of progressive human resources leadership at AdventHealth. Most recently she served as Senior Vice President and Chief People Officer for AdventHealth's East Florida Division, directing workforce strategy for over 12,000 team members and aligning HR initiatives with clinical, operational and financial priorities.
Prior roles spanned HR operations for tens of thousands of employees
As Vice President of HR Business Operations for AdventHealth's Central Florida Division, Howard oversaw human resources operations supporting more than 36,000 employees. In an earlier role as Vice President and HR Business Partner for AdventHealth's North Region, she led initiatives that reduced employee turnover and managed the transition to a new HR operating model.
CEO cites her record on culture and workforce strategy
John Sackett, President and CEO of Adventist HealthCare, said Howard has a track record of strengthening culture, developing high-performing teams and advancing workforce strategies, calling her the right leader to build an exceptional workplace as the system advances its mission-driven care model.
Credentials include an MBA and SHRM senior certification
Howard holds a Master of Business Administration in healthcare management and a Bachelor of Science in human resources, both from Western Governors University, and is certified as a Society for Human Resource Management Senior Certified Professional (SHRM-SCP). Adventist HealthCare, which has served the Washington, D.C., region since 1907, noted that as of Spring 2026 it is the only health system in Maryland with all acute care hospitals holding a Leapfrog "A" Safety Rating.