Principal
Watson Healthcare Management Solutions
Kerry Watson is a seasoned operations management executive with more than 25 years’ experience in the leadership, direction and management of major hospital and healthcare organizations generating up to $1.5 Billion in revenue and employing over 9000 professionals. Kerry is Principal of Watson Healthcare Management Solutions (WHMS) in Raleigh North Carolina, providing interim hospital executive leadership, comprehensive operational/work cultural assessment, executive coaching & expert legal consultation.
Currently, Kerry is Interim Chief Executive Officer, Interim CEO, Howard University Hospital Corporation, Washington DC. Howard University Hospital, a Level 1 Trauma Center and achedemic medical center in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area. Prior to this, Kerry completed assignments as Interim CEO, UF Health Saint John’s located in Saint Augustine Florida. Serving as the lead agency for St. Johns County’s Continuum of Care,UF Health St. Johns is a 335 bed total health care enterprise aimed at advancing the physical, social and economic health of Northeast Florida communities. Interim Chief Executive Officer, Maui Health System, Maui, Hawaii. Maui Health is a not-for-profit organization that provides high-quality, patient-centered, affordable care to all residents and visitors on Maui and Lanai. The system operates Maui Memorial Medical Center, Maui Memorial Medical Center Outpatient Clinic, Kula Hospital, Kula Clinic and Lanai Community Hospital.
Additionally, Kerry has successfully completed assignments as Interim President, Wellstar Atlanta Medical Center, a 762-bed hospital includes two campuses in midtown Atlanta and East Point. It’s midtown location is known for its Level I Trauma Center, Interim Senior Vice President & Chief Operating Officer, Centra Health System, a regional healthcare system, consisting of 5 hospitals and serving over 500,000 people throughout central and southern Virginia. Additionally, Kerry was External Strategic Consultant, Facilitator and Non-Affiliated Ombudsman at Grady Health System Marcus Trauma Center, Atlanta, GA., Interim CEO of Memorial Health and President of Memorial University Medical Center (MUMC), an award-winning 604-bed academic level 1 trauma medical center that serves a 35-county area in Atlanta and southeast Georgia and southern South Carolina, Interim COO for Arnot Health and President of Arnot Ogden Medical Center, an integrated, three hospitals regional healthcare system in Elmira New York with an extended network of primary care offices, specialized care centers, and medical facilities throughout the Twin Tiers.
Prior to WHMS, Kerry held several executive leadership roles, including Assistant Vice President of Clinical Services at Holy Cross Hospital, Senior Associate Chief Operating Officer at Duke University Medical Center (DUMC), President and CEO at Duke Regional Hospital (DRH) in the Duke University Health System and President of Newton-Wellesley Hospital, part of the Partners Healthcare system in Boston, Massachusetts.
As a CEO/COO, Kerry has emerged as an industry leader and innovator. He applies an extensive expertise in healthcare systems and business processes to ensure superior healthcare services, strong organizational learning and a positive, forward-thinking organizational culture - while driving operational performance to record levels of success.
His visionary direction and broad knowledge base have enabled Kerry to develop solid working relationships with internal and external constituents, and build working cultures that promote compassionate, committed and qualified healthcare. His operational portfolio has included Heart, Orthopedic, Children’s, Women’s, Transplant, Neurology, Radiology & Pathology, Materials & Logistics, Hospital Facilities, Clinical Engineering, Guest Services, Infection Control, Health Information Management, Decedent Care, Support Services, Food/Nutrition, Housekeeping & Laundry, and diversity and work culture improvement programs.
In addition, Kerry is a Certified Diversity Trainer, coach and facilitator, with a proven track record as a valued corporate consultant. He has facilitated leadership and diversity programs and presentations across the U.S., acting as keynote speaker at Duke University Health System; ACHE; AHRA; Charlotte AHEC; Triangle Urban League; University of North Carolina; Oncology Nursing Society; Rush University Medical System; Rush College of Nursing; Rush College of Medicine (Women’s Faculty Retreat); and MedAssets Supply Chain Systems Annual Summit, among many others.
Kerry began his healthcare career working at North Carolina Memorial Hospital, Chapel Hill, where he quickly advanced through management positions within Radiology, before pursuing leadership roles in hospital executive administration. He holds a Master degree in Organizational Management, a Bachelor of Science degree in Radiology Administration and Health Sciences, and has completed additional post-graduate work at the University of Maryland. He is actively involved in community and philanthropic organizations.
Current and former Board affiations.
• Community Care of North Carolina Board
• North Carolina Hospital Association Board
• North Carolina Central University Foundation Board
• Massachusetts Hospital Association Board
• Region 1 American Hospital Association Board
• Region 3 American Hospital Association Board
Leadership Insights: From Crisis to Clarity: A Healthcare Turnaround Journey
Monday, March 2, 2026
10:00am - 11:30am CT