Leighton Smith, MD, held post as executive vice president of medical affairs and CMO at the 496-bed hospital, even though his medical license expired in 1999. Dr. Smith has denied any connection between his June 1 departure from the hospital and the lacking license.
A NCH spokesperson defended the administration’s hiring decision, saying the CMO performs “an administrative function” and does not need an active medical license “because he doesn’t treat patients,” according to the report. There are no licensing requirements for CMOs in Illinois, although unlicensed CMOs are rare, according to the report.
Some experts say the lack of a medical-licensed CMO could tangle NCH’s defense in some malpractice cases, according to the report, and raise questions about the hospital’s quality of care.
More Articles on Hospital CMOs:
What’s Keeping CMOs Up at Night? 5 CMOs Share Their Biggest Challenges, Strategies for Success
Improving Clinical Variation & Quality: The Role of the CMO
UC Davis CMO Dr. Allan Siefkin: Creating a Culture of Safety, Quality
