John R. Lumpkin

John R. Lumpkin, MD, MPH, is a leader in public health and health care administration, serving as president of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina Foundation and vice president for drivers of health strategy at Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina. Lumpkin oversees the Foundation’s efforts to advance health equity and improve health outcomes in North Carolina, with initiatives focused on health system transformation, access to nutritious food, early childhood health, and community empowerment. He also serves as an executive strategic counselor for corporate social responsibility and chairs the Board of Scientific Counselors of the National Center for Health Statistics at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, contributing to health policy and data-driven solutions.

Lumpkin’s career includes serving as senior vice president for programs at the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, where he led national initiatives to transform health care and address social determinants of health. Previously, he was director of the Illinois Department of Public Health, where he was the first African American to hold the position and led initiatives in emergency preparedness, infectious disease control, and health system improvement. Lumpkin has held faculty appointments at medical schools and is a fellow of the American Academy of Nursing, the American College of Emergency Physicians, and the American College of Medical Informatics.

A member of the National Academy of Medicine, Lumpkin has received honors including the Arthur McCormack Excellence and Dedication in Public Health Award and the Jonas Salk Health Leadership Award. His expertise includes public health informatics, policy development, and community health. Lumpkin is recognized for his work in health equity, leadership, and innovation in health care, with a career focused on advancing health for underserved populations and fostering collaborative solutions to health challenges.