CEO Dr. James Leonard: Primary Care Past Leads Decision-Making for Carle Foundation Hospital

James Leonard, MD, is president and CEO of The Carle Foundation in Urbana, Ill., which is the non-profit parent company of an integrated network of healthcare services. At its core are Carle Foundation Hospital, Carle Physician Group and Health Alliance Medical Plans. Dr. Leonard began his career with the Carle Clinic Association in 1984 as a primary care physician. His background as a physician guides his leadership of Carle.

"Each day, I am involved in decisions where I can ask critical questions pertaining to quality, patient care and impact on the practice environment. I have taken my family practice training and generalized to major medical and business decisions that are community focused, not just specific to a patient," says Dr. Leonard.

As president and CEO, Dr. Leonard has made many major medical and business decisions to foster growth for The Carle Foundation. He has overseen a five-story expansion of the hospital's north tower, the purchase and integration of Carle Clinic Association and Health Alliance Medical Plans and the development of the Carle Auxiliary Guest House. Dr. Leonard has also led the hospital in advancing diagnostic and treatment options with the opening of the Mills Breast Cancer Institute, the Digestive Health Center and the Carle Cancer Center, including the Biomedical Research Center and. In addition, he has led Carle Foundation Hospital to achieve Magnet designation and recognition as a Thomson Reuters 100 Top Hospital in 2011 and 2012.

Prior to serving as CEO, Dr. Leonard served as the associate medical director of Carle Clinic as well as the medical director of the employee assistance and sports medicine programs. He served as vice president of medical affairs of The Carle Foundation from 1997 to 1999 and on its board of trustees from 1994 to 1999. He was appointed as interim CEO in 1999 and then as CEO in 2000.

Dr. Leonard is a member of the American College of Physician Executives, the American College of Healthcare Executives and the Illinois Hospital Association board of directors.

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