“Operational Excellence through Strategic Leadership and Process Innovation”

John J. Lowry is a top-performing healthcare executive with over 30 years of leadership experience across pharmacy operations, healthcare distribution, and enterprise transformation. With a proven track record of delivering results through operational restructuring and Lean Six Sigma deployment, John has consistently optimized efficiency, expanded service capabilities, and driven profitability across some of the most complex segments of the healthcare industry. A Doctor of Pharmacy and a certified Lean Six Sigma Black Belt, John blends deep clinical knowledge with business acumen and hands-on leadership.

Currently serving as Vice President of Shared Clinical Services at Sanford Health, John oversees multi-state enterprise operations spanning Infusion Pharmacy, Durable Medical Equipment (DME), Optical, Audiology, and Home Medical Equipment services. Under his leadership, Sanford has achieved significant gains in revenue, income from operations, and service integration—aligning over 300 staff members across 30+ locations in four states. John has been instrumental in leading contracting, vendor management, supply chain coordination, provider enrollment, and patient relations while cultivating a culture of continuous improvement.

Prior to this role, John served as Executive Director of Supply Chain Management at Sanford Health Equip, where he spearheaded the consolidation of two regional DME organizations into a single, unified enterprise. His strategic planning and implementation efforts resulted in 52% growth in patient revenue—from $86M to $131M—and a nearly doubled operational income, all while enhancing service delivery and organizational alignment. John’s commitment to scalable operational models helped establish new standards in logistics, warehousing, inventory management, and patient-focused care.

At Option Care Health, John held the position of Senior Director of Operational Excellence – Business Performance, where he led enterprise-wide Lean Culture deployments, saving over $12M annually through improved pharmacy operations, compounding processes, and material distribution. His leadership in Lean Six Sigma not only trained over 100 Lean leaders and specialists but embedded a culture of accountability, strategic planning (Hoshin Kanri), and efficiency throughout the organization. John’s results-driven mindset made him a trusted advisor to senior leadership on best practices and continuous improvement.

John’s foundation in transformational project management was solidified during his time at Cardinal Health, where he directed the development and deployment of a $42M Pharmacy Management system across 140 Nuclear Pharmacy sites and 12 PET cyclotrons. His meticulous oversight of system integration, budgeting, and cross-functional collaboration ensured delivery within 0.0002% variance. This success was a culmination of his technical insight, operational foresight, and cross-departmental leadership.

As Business Director of Performance and Deployment at Cardinal Health, John further introduced strategic business standards that led to $20M+ in annual operational savings. His productivity modeling improved staff utilization across the Specialty Distribution and Nuclear Pharmacy networks, enhancing both labor efficiency and material flow. His work with senior management ensured alignment between enterprise transformation and real-world execution.

His career began in hands-on leadership roles as General Manager and Director of Operations, overseeing multi-state distribution facilities across the Midwest. From managing P&L and regional sales to guiding greenfield expansions and post-acquisition integrations, John consistently exceeded profit contribution goals—growing operational profits from $4.5M to over $10M in four years. His customer-centric sales strategy and deep understanding of molecular imaging needs earned him top-tier quality and compliance scores across his territory.

A lifelong learner and strategist, John’s academic credentials include a Doctor of Pharmacy and a Bachelor of Science in Nuclear Medicine from the University of Nebraska Medical Center. His executive toolkit includes certifications in Lean Six Sigma and Design for Lean Six Sigma, as well as training in the Prosci ADKAR model for change management. These credentials have positioned him as a trusted advisor in both clinical and commercial spaces.

Internationally, John’s experience spans the U.S., Canada, Europe, Norway, Germany, and Mexico—providing him with a broad perspective on global operations, supply chain complexities, and cultural nuances in healthcare delivery. His collaborative leadership style, rooted in integrity, communication, and strategy, has made him a valuable partner for transformation at scale.

John is currently exploring board roles and advisory opportunities, where he can apply his operational insights, strategic mindset, and leadership experience to help companies scale, evolve, and thrive. With a passion for solving challenges, empowering teams, and driving enterprise-wide value, John Lowry is the kind of executive who not only drives performance but leaves behind a legacy of improvement and impact.

Character:

John is a principled leader known for his reliability, work ethic, and commitment to doing what’s right for patients, teams, and organizations. He brings humility, integrity, and dedication to every challenge he undertakes.

Knowledge:

With over 30 years in healthcare operations and a Doctor of Pharmacy degree, John possesses deep expertise across clinical, operational, and distribution domains. His knowledge of Lean, supply chain, and system-wide transformation is unmatched.

Strategic:

John has consistently delivered enterprise-level results through data-driven strategies, cross-functional alignment, and disciplined execution. His strategic acumen has resulted in tens of millions in savings and efficiency gains.

Communication:

A natural communicator, John excels at translating complex problems into actionable solutions. His ability to align stakeholders from the front line to the C-suite ensures trust, clarity, and forward momentum.