Adventist HealthCare and Howard University announced Monday that Dr. Roger A. Mitchell Jr., M.D., will serve as the next president of the Howard University Hospital, as part of the management service agreement between the two organizations as they continue discussions for long-term partnerships.
“Dr. Mitchell’s extensive medical and public health experience, as well as his understanding of the needs of the D.C. community, will inform his leadership so that Howard University Hospital continues to advance initiatives to support the best health outcomes,” said Howard University President Ben Vinson III. “His deep connections to Howard University as an alumnus, professor and executive leader will inform how our students can best participate in ground-breaking clinical and research work with significant influence and impact.”
Mitchell, 50, will begin his leadership of the hospital after its President Anita Jenkins steps away from that position on Sept. 13. As a result of his selection, Mitchell will resign from his current position as the Chief Medical Officer (CMO) for the Howard University Faculty Practice Plan.
He will also take a leave of absence from his tenured position as professor of pathology at the Howard University College of Medicine.
John Sackett, president and CEO of Adventist HealthCare, said Mitchell will fit in well as the hospital’s leader.
“Dr. Mitchell will provide the guidance needed to provide high-quality care for the D.C. community, attract the best physicians in the nation to support comprehensive healing and ensure a superior learning environment for medical students and residents,” Sackett said.
Mitchell’s appointment comes as Adventist and Howard University are undergoing a reassessment period on buying the hospital as a part of a management services agreement. The agreement between the two was done in 2019.
Mitchell at Howard
Mitchell holds a Bachelor of Science in Biology from Howard University and a Doctor of Medicine from UMDNJ New Jersey Medical School. He completed a fellowship at New York University/NY OCME and a residency at George Washington University in Northwest.
Before becoming CMO, Mitchell previously served as the chair of the Department of Pathology at Howard’s medical school.
Mitchell also serves as the university’s director for the Center for Excellence for Trauma and Violence Prevention, leading outreach efforts to decrease gun violence in the District. Plus, he serves as the chair of the Performance Improvement Committee for the hospital.
In addition, Mitchell led a university advisory group on dealing with the coronavirus pandemic.
He is a leader of the Howard University Center for Excellence program, the ENGAGE Saturday Academy, which is designed to help young District residents deal with trauma.
Non-Howard Activities
Mitchell is also the president-elect of the National Medical Association, the oldest and largest organization for Black physicians in the country.
Prior to his service at Howard University, Mitchell worked in the D.C. government for seven years, including as the chief medical examiner, interim director of the Department of Forensic Sciences and interim deputy mayor for Public Safety & Justice.
D.C. Council member Vincent C. Gray praised Mitchell’s selection on X on Aug. 27.
“I proudly appointed [Mitchell] to be our chief medical examiner,” said Gray, 81, who served as the District mayor from 2011-2015. “Subsequently, he served District residents through two different mayoral administrations.”
D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser also spoke highly of Mitchell and thanked him for his years of service.
“Congratulations to Dr. Roger Mitchell, Jr., on being appointed the next Howard University President!” Bowser, 52, wrote on X on Aug. 26. “From [the D.C. government] to D.C. universities, thank you for your longstanding commitment and service to the District.”