Cheryl Koch, MS, RD, FAND
Vice President of Operations
Cheryl Koch leads the operations at the UMMC Downtown Campus, including facilities planning, construction, operations and maintenance, supply chain, radiology, environmental services, food services, clinical engineering, linen services, environmental health and laboratory services.
In addition, Koch drives our operational performance improvement priorities, collaborating closely with clinical colleagues and medical staff. She supports the system-wide effort to improve the delivery of compassionate, safe, equitable and high-quality care to the patients and the communities we serve, as well as facilitating programs designed to enhance hospital efficiency and patient safety.
Prior to joining UMMC, Cheryl spent 30 years serving the Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center in a variety of senior leadership positions, most recently as its chief operating officer, a role she took on at the height of the COVID pandemic in 2020. In that role, she directed Johns Hopkins Bayview's operational response to the pandemic, partnering with colleagues across the health system to ensure alignment and consistency. In recognition of her efforts, Cheryl received the Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center Medical Staff leadership award in 2022. As COO, Cheryl was also responsible for program development, improving operational efficiencies and oversight of daily operations.
A registered dietitian, Koch received her undergraduate degree in nutrition and dietetics from the Minnesota State University, Mankato, earned her master's degree in health science from Towson University and completed her dietetic internship at Vanderbilt University Medical Center.
She has also been an active member of both the Maryland and American Dietetic Association for over 30 years and has held several positions within the state dietetic association, including president, and has served on several national committees. Koch is a fellow of both the American College of Healthcare Executives and the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, and a member of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, the American College of Healthcare Executives and the Association of Healthcare Food Services.