SHM’s Greater Philadelphia area chapter leaders meeting in February 2026, L to R: Suchit Bhutani, MD, Caroline Bera, DO, Sara Van Calcar, MD, Kai Xu, MD, Swapna Gummadi, MD, Romeo Sporici, MD, Colleen E. O’Connor, MD, Jonathan Woo, MD, Kevin Sowti, MD, MBA, MHCI, FACHE, SFHM, and Edward Ma, MD
SHM’s Greater Philadelphia Area chapter offers a strong sense of community—it’s a space where hospitalists can openly discuss shared challenges and opportunities across different health systems and employment models, said chapter president Kevin Sowti, MD, MBA, MHCI, FACHE, SFHM, who is the medical director of hospital medicine and the chief quality and safety officer at Penn Medicine, Chester County Hospital, an academic community hospital with 330 beds in West Chester, Pa. The chapter serves southeastern Pennsylvania and southern New Jersey.
Dr. Sowti
Established in 2004, the chapter is well-rooted in leadership stability and institutional knowledge. “This foundation supports robust recruitment efforts and meaningful mentorship opportunities and serves as a powerful springboard for career advancement,” Dr. Sowti said.
Further, the chapter is well-positioned to launch innovative initiatives and ambitious projects. “We enjoy enhanced collaboration and resource sharing with multiple systems in the area, academic and community institutions, and the national SHM organization,” Dr. Sowti said.
By fostering a strong sense of community and shared purpose, membership helps reduce professional burnout and provides support in a challenging healthcare environment, Dr. Sowti said.
To promote networking, the sharing of innovative ideas, and the advancement of professional development, the chapter has initiated and is attempting to solidify structured plans for cooperation and collaboration across multiple health systems in the region, creating valuable opportunities for hospitalists to exchange best practices and address common challenges together. The chapter also brings awareness to job opportunities.
Dr. Sowti is working to expand the chapter’s diversity and inclusivity by broadening participation of hospitalist doctors and also by including residents, advanced practice providers, and other members of the hospital medicine community.
“My vision is to serve as a vibrant forum for sharing ideas, fostering innovation, and improving the lives of patients and our hospitalist colleagues,” he said. “In a time marked by significant challenges, including multiple hospital closures in our area, I’m committed to strengthening this chapter as a place where hospitalists feel a true sense of belonging, support, and professional fulfillment.”
The chapter advances academic and scholarly activities, including poster presentations and collaborative partnerships with other SHM chapters, as well as the American College of Physicians. Several members have successfully presented at SHM Converge, and the chapter is actively planning additional academic talks that leverage the academic institutions in the greater Philadelphia area. “These sessions are designed to provide both young faculty and emerging leaders with valuable presentation opportunities and to facilitate high-quality learning,” Dr. Sowti said.
The chapter is focused on several key initiatives to strengthen its community and expand its impact, including increasing member engagement, developing the next generation of leaders, and deepening the involvement of residents and advanced practice providers.
Building stronger collaboration across multiple regional health systems is another goal. To better serve its large geographic footprint, the chapter is redoubling efforts to host events at varied locations to better serve diverse areas and reduce travel barriers.
Another initiative is to leverage social media platforms to disseminate timely information, announcements, and content designed to spark engagement and dialogue. The chapter dedicates time during social and educational events for structured networking and open discussions, enabling members to share innovative ideas and build meaningful professional relationships.
Compiling a comprehensive list of medical directors across the area to increase their engagement and further strengthen leadership connections within the chapter is another goal. “These combined efforts help to foster a dynamic and supportive environment where hospitalists can grow professionally, collaborate effectively, and contribute to hospital medicine’s advancement,” Dr. Sowti said.
The chapter is actively developing a series of educational talks designed to engage faculty and provide timely, relevant content for hospitalists.
Events highlight the diverse career pathways available to hospitalists, including opportunities in leadership, clinical informatics, utilization review, and other advisory and administrative roles. “These sessions aim to broaden members’ perspectives, equip them with practical knowledge, and support informed career development in an evolving healthcare landscape,” Dr. Sowti said.
Dr. Sowti believes the chapter has strengthened its core leadership team through regular meetings and dedicated quarterly gatherings, ensuring stable direction and renewed momentum. “Now we need future leaders to come join us and take on leadership roles,” he said.
The chapter has maintained its valued traditional events, including the annual Hospitalist Leaders Summit, which has been held for 14 consecutive years. These efforts have fostered meaningful professional connections, supported career development, and resulted in numerous SHM national awards and recognitions for its members.
“While physicians remain the backbone of hospital medicine, the scope of our work increasingly extends beyond traditional inpatient care,” Dr. Sowti said. “We’re growing in scope and girth and encompassing complex inpatient environments as well as emerging career paths such as quality, informatics, home hospital programs, and leadership and advisory roles. Including the full interprofessional team under our chapter’s umbrella fosters collaboration, enhances collective expertise, and promotes high-value care delivery.”
Karen Appold is an award-winning journalist based in Lehigh Valley, Pa.