Cone Health CEO: Legacy of First Female Physician Leader
Dr. Mary Jo Cagle,the first female physician to lead Cone Health,steps down as CEO,leaving behind a legacy of community collaboration and a drive for health equity. Cagle’s four-year tenure prioritized understanding front-line worker needs and addressing disparities across diverse populations. Bernard “Bernie” Sherry steps in as interim CEO, taking the helm of a sprawling health system wiht approximately 13,000 employees and over 150 locations. Cagle championed Cone Health joining Risant Health and advocated for innovative approaches like “food as medicine.” News Directory 3 is watching closely. What innovative strategies will Cone Health implement next to reshape healthcare delivery? Discover what’s next for the institution.
Cone Health CEO Cagle Steps Down Due to Family Health Matter
Updated May 25, 2025
Dr. Mary Jo Cagle, the first woman and physician to lead Cone Health in Greensboro, N.C., will step down from her role as president and CEO on May 31. Cagle, who has served for four years, is leaving due to a serious family health matter. Bernard “Bernie” Sherry, the interim COO since December, will take over as interim CEO.
During her time at Cone Health, Cagle emphasized collaboration with community members and ensuring the leadership team reflected the area’s demographics. The health system, comprising approximately 13,000 employees and over 150 locations, including five hospitals, prioritized community and front-line worker input in strategy development.
Cone Health’s pursuit of health equity involved addressing disparities across geographic, demographic, and socioeconomic populations. Cagle stressed that this initiative was a health statement aimed at improving the well-being of the entire community, tailoring strategies to meet the unique needs of different areas.
Cagle also played a key role in Cone Health joining Risant Health, part of Kaiser Permanente, which provides access to a value-based platform. She highlighted the importance of a structured due diligence process and physician involvement when considering partnerships or mergers.
“It has been an honor. It’s been an chance to show other women in the organization, in our state, what’s possible,” Cagle said, reflecting on her role.
Looking ahead, Cagle emphasized the need for innovations in proactive wellness care and data-driven care, particularly initiatives focused on value-based care and lowering costs. She advocated for moving further upstream to keep populations healthy,including exploring “food as medicine” programs.
Cagle also stressed the importance of building robust workforce pipelines by partnering with educators and leveraging artificial intelligence and robotics to alleviate administrative burdens.
What’s next
Sherry will assume the role of interim CEO as Cone Health continues its focus on community partnerships and health equity initiatives. The organization will likely continue to explore innovative approaches to healthcare delivery and workforce development.