HDA Research Foundation Recognizes Craig Cowman of Cardinal Health With Nexus Award
June 03, 2025The HDA Research Foundation honored Craig Cowman, Executive Vice President of Biopharma Solutions and Strategic Sourcing for Cardinal Health, Inc., with the 2025 Nexus Award for Lifetime Achievement. The award was presented last night at the Healthcare Distribution Alliance’s (HDA) Business and Leadership Conference in Orlando. 
Presented annually since 1956, the Nexus Award is the healthcare distribution industry’s highest individual achievement. The award recognizes one executive for their exceptional character, accomplishments, and leadership in the healthcare distribution industry, HDA and their community. Nominees are requested from HDA members and Foundation stakeholders, with honorees voted upon by the HDA Executive Committee and the HDA Research Foundation Board of Directors.
“For more than three decades, Craig Cowman has earned the respect of colleagues, supply chain partners and community members alike through his integrity and deep understanding of the distribution sector,” said Chester “Chip” Davis, Jr., President and CEO, HDA. “It is a true honor to celebrate his career and service to others through the Nexus Award for Lifetime Achievement.”
With more than 30 years served at Cardinal Health, Mr. Cowman has held a range of positions in product sourcing and supplier management, including Executive Vice President of Global Sourcing and Senior Vice President of Strategic Sourcing and Product Management. In this latter role, he played a significant part in transforming Cardinal Health’s approach to brand, generic and consumer health sourcing.
Currently leading the company’s Biopharma Solutions and Strategic Sourcing team, Mr. Cowman helps support Cardinal Health’s pharmaceutical manufacturer partners through the critical processes of regulatory approval, product launch and commercialization. He also serves as Vice Chairman of Red Oak Sourcing.
Mr. Cowman has been engaged in HDA and HDA Foundation activities for more than 20 years. Notably, he served as Chair and Vice-Chair of the HDA Research Foundation Board of Directors and has sat on the board for nearly a decade. Among his other volunteer roles, Mr. Cowman is the executive sponsor for the veterans and military advocates employee resource group at Cardinal Health, and he serves on the board of The National Veterans Memorial and Museum.
Before his distribution career, Mr. Cowman worked in marketing and consulting roles for a range of companies, including retail pharmacies. He is a graduate of The Ohio State University.
The 2025 Nexus Award for Lifetime Achievement was made possible through the support of Johnson & Johnson and Viatris. For more information and a list of past honorees, visit the HDA Research Foundation website.The Healthcare Distribution Alliance (HDA) represents primary pharmaceutical distributors — the vital link between the nation’s pharmaceutical manufacturers and pharmacies, hospitals, long-term care facilities, clinics and others nationwide. Since 1876, HDA has helped members navigate regulations and innovations to get the right medicines to the right patients at the right time, safely and efficiently. The HDA Research Foundation, HDA’s nonprofit charitable foundation, serves the healthcare industry by providing research and education focused on priority healthcare supply chain issues.
ABOUT THE HDA RESEARCH FOUNDATION
The HDA Research Foundation is the 501(c)(3) non-profit charitable organization of the Healthcare Distribution Alliance (HDA). The Foundation serves as the thought leader in driving research, education and discussion for all healthcare supply chain stakeholders, enabling the industry's ability to deliver efficient, safe and secure patient access to medicines and medical products. Learn more at HDA.org/Foundation.