Northwest Health – Porter’s board of directors named Dr. James Leonard as the organization’s new CEO.
“Dr. Leonard’s experience as a practicing physician and chief medical officer combined with his leadership skills and ability to drive high-quality performance makes him the right person to lead Northwest Health – Porter,” said Karen Allen, chairperson of the board of trustees, in a press release.
Leonard has been the interim CEO since Aug. 1. He is the first physician to be named CEO of the organization.
Leonard joined Northwest Health in 2013. Since then, he has served as emergency room medical director, administrative physician executive and market chief medical officer.
As chief medical officer, Leonard oversaw graduate medical education and medical staff services. He was involved with infection prevention and pharmacy. During the pandemic, Leonard led the COVID-19 response. He also served as a resource for other organizations.
Leonard has helped recruit new physicians and providers to Northwest Health – Porter. He also played a key role in starting the Northwest Health Medical Residency program.
Leonard earned his medical degree from the Midwestern University, Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine. His board certification is from the American Osteopathic Board of Emergency Medicine. Leonard is a fellow of the American College of Emergency Physicians.
“As CEO, I look forward to having a broad impact across the organization from long-term strategy to patient care,” Leonard said. “I know how seriously our talented physicians and team members take their responsibility to care for the people of Northwest Indiana, and I’m honored to support them while elevating the health services available in the Region.”
Northwest Health is a health care system serving Northwest Indiana. The system has three hospitals and five emergency departments. It offers multiple urgent care centers and physician offices. Northwest Health has over 3,000 employees and more than 700 physicians on its medical staff.
