Stormont Vail Health has appointed Jay Howard as General Counsel

Stormont Vail Health, a financially strong, nonprofit integrated health system serving Kansas for more than 130 years, has appointed Jay Howard as General Counsel. Known for its commitment to compassionate, high-quality, and efficient care, Stormont Vail continues to advance its mission to improve the health of the communities it serves across its Topeka, Junction City, and Manhattan campuses.

In this role, Jay will oversee legal services, governmental affairs, compliance, privacy, information security, risk management, and regulatory affairs. As a key advisor to the President & CEO, senior leadership, and the Board of Directors, he will guide legal strategy, support sound governance, and ensure organizational alignment with federal and state requirements. Jay will collaborate across the system to identify opportunities and risks, strengthen regulatory readiness, and support Stormont Vail’s strategic priorities and long-term growth.

Jay brings more than 30 years of healthcare law experience, most recently serving as an equity shareholder in Polsinelli PC’s Health Law Department. His background includes extensive work advising hospitals and health systems on governance, compliance, regulatory matters, contracts, and complex operational issues. He has been recognized by Best Lawyers in America®, Chambers USA, Martindale-Hubbell, and Thomson Reuters for his expertise and leadership in healthcare law.

With his deep legal experience, collaborative leadership approach, and commitment to supporting high-quality patient care, Jay will play a pivotal role in advancing Stormont Vail Health’s strategic vision and strengthening its legal and compliance foundation for the future.

To read more about our healthcare team, explore our practice page here.