June 5, 2003

Dear Colleagues:

At the annual meeting of the Johns Hopkins Medicine Board of Trustees this week, four of your co-workers who have played a significant role in our success were appointed vice presidents of Hopkins Medicine in newly created positions. They are Elaine Freeman, Vice President for Corporate Communications; Toby A. Gordon, Sc.D., Vice President for Strategic Planning and Market Research; Judy A. Reitz, Sc.D., Vice President for Quality Improvement, and Linda Robertson, Vice President for Government Affairs and Community Relations. These appointments reflect the importance of their current work, as well as some reorganization intended to strengthen our operations.

Elaine has served as executive director of communications and public affairs for more than two decades. Her office will now be responsible for marketing communications and for more strategic integration of our Internet efforts, in addition to its traditional, critical responsibilities related to media relations, corporate and employee communications, publications, special projects and the Web.

Toby has been the Johns Hopkins Health System's vice president for planning and marketing since 1993. During the past year she has played an increasingly important role in integrating the planning for all Hopkins Medicine entities and departments, as we make major decisions for a decade of rebuilding. By separating the market research functions of her office from the demands related to implementation of strategies, we are acknowledging the importance of a data-driven focus in setting priorities that dictate much of what we do.

Judy already wears the hats of executive vice president and chief operating officer of The Johns Hopkins Hospital and vice president for operations integration of the Johns Hopkins Health System. Over the past few years, she has organized a quality improvement program for Hopkins Medicine that has helped to integrate important initiatives related not just to our business functions, but to service excellence and a culture that puts patient safety first. She will be expanding that role across Hopkins Medicine.

Linda joined The Johns Hopkins University last fall as vice president for government, community and public affairs after a distinguished career at the Treasury Department in Washington. Her appointment as an officer of Johns Hopkins Medicine reflects our commitment to the coordination of efforts on behalf of all the Johns Hopkins Institutions in dealing with our communities and with elected and appointed officials at every level of government. At Hopkins Medicine, however, Linda will not have responsibility for public affairs, which will remain with corporate communications.

We suspect that many of you may be surprised to learn that these four women were not already officers of Johns Hopkins Medicine, as they have functioned in such highly visible leadership roles. Please continue to give them all possible support as we embark on a challenging period with confidence that with their help and yours, Johns Hopkins Medicine will continue to be a world leader.

Sincerely,