Kaiser Permanente Appoints Neil Cowles as Chief Information and Technology Officer

What You Should Know: 

– Kaiser Permanente has appointed Neil Cowles as the organization’s new chief information and technology officer (CITO), effective immediately. 

– Cowles, who most recently served as chief technology officer since June 2024, will now lead Kaiser Permanente’s extensive information and technology organization. 

– As CITO, Cowles will guide the technological future of an organization renowned for its 80-year history of using technology to improve care. Kaiser Permanente consistently invests in technologies to provide high-quality, convenient care to its 12.4 million members and support its workforce of over 240,000 employees. Cowles will report to Yazdi Bagli, executive vice president, Information Technology and Enterprise Business Services.

Cowles Bio/Background

Having joined Kaiser Permanente in 2012, Cowles brings deep institutional knowledge and a proven track record to the CITO position. During his tenure, he has been instrumental in significantly expanding the organization’s IT capabilities. His leadership has spanned accountability for critical business and clinical IT systems, strengthening the resilience of Kaiser Permanente’s technology platforms, and guiding the strategic adoption of emerging technologies across the enterprise.

Cowles offers a distinct perspective shaped by both clinical experience and extensive technology leadership. He started his career as a clinically trained healthcare professional, practicing in the United Kingdom and Australia. Before joining Kaiser Permanente, Cowles held IT leadership roles in other organizations, successfully led global healthcare IT implementations, co-founded a healthcare data startup, and contributed his expertise through service on various boards. He holds a bachelor’s degree from London South Bank University.