Dr. Paul Krakovitz will become the new CEO of Cone Health in 2026.
Photo: Courtesy Cone Health
Cone Health has named Dr. Paul Krakovitz as its new CEO, following a nationwide search. He will join the health system on March 16, 2026.
Krakovitz replaces Cone Health President and CEO Dr. Mary Jo Cagle, who stepped down in May due to a serious family health matter, according to the health system. Bernard “Bernie” Sherry, Cone Health’s interim chief operating officer since December 2024, has been serving as interim chief executive officer following Cagle’s departure.
Sherry will continue in the interim CEO role until Krakovitz begins in March.
Most recently, Krakovitz served as an executive-in-residence at Cressey & Company, an investment firm based in Chicago that focuses on healthcare services, providers, facilities and information technology.
Krakovitz has more than two decades of experience leading nationally recognized health systems. He previously served as the Desert Region president, senior vice president for Intermountain Health.
As the first president of the region, he expanded it to include three acute hospitals, 130 care sites, 1,000 employed physicians and advanced practice providers, 8,500 caregivers, outpatient imaging services, ambulatory surgical centers, five urgent care facilities, hospice care and home care services, according to Cone Health.
Prior to that role, Krakovitz served as chief medical officer and vice president of specialty-based care at Intermountain.
He also spent more than a decade at the Cleveland Clinic, working as vice chairman of surgical operations, hospital operations and chief of pediatric otolaryngology, otolaryngology/head and neck surgery.
Krakovitz is a practicing pediatric otolaryngology physician at the University of Utah, focusing on ear, nose and throat disorders in children.
“With a proud history and a clear vision for the future, Cone Health stands at the intersection of care and community. It’s a place where mission and culture come together in meaningful ways. That combination is what attracted me here,” Krakovitz said. “I’m honored to lead alongside such dedicated colleagues as we build on this legacy and embrace new opportunities as we continue our transformational journey in value-based care. Together, we will keep this health system vibrant, successful and deeply connected to those who depend on us.”
Cone Health joined Kaiser Foundation Hospitals’ Risant Health in December 2024. The nonprofit organization has a mission to increase access to value-based care and coverage. Risant Health said last year that it would make available a minimum of $1 billion in capital to Cone Health over the next five years to support investments in facilities, health equity and other capital projects.
Dr. Jaewon Ryu, Risant Health CEO said: “Dr. Krakovitz is a thoughtful, mission-driven leader, and I'm confident he will guide Cone Health into its next chapter with passion and vision. We’re excited to continue delivering on Risant Health’s vision to scale value-based care and improve the health of the communities we serve. Dr. Krakovitz’s leadership will be instrumental as we accelerate this important work together.”
Based in Greensboro, N.C., Cone Health has five acute care hospitals and 150 physician practices including primary and specialty care provided through Cone Health Medical Group and Triad HealthCare Network.
Email the writer: SMorse@himss.org