Dr. Scott Boston, an emergency medicine physician, has been named Passavant Area Hospital’s next chief medical officer (CMO).

Boston will use the next two months to transition into the new role before officially assuming duties April 1. He replaces Dr. Marshall Hale who is retiring March 31.  

A member of the Passavant Medical Staff since 2004, Boston currently serves as an emergency medicine physician, affiliated with Mid-America Emergency Physicians, at Passavant and Memorial Medical Center. He will continue working in the Passavant Emergency Department while also serving as CMO.

A Morgan County resident, Boston received his medical degree from the SIU School of Medicine in 2000. He completed his residency at OSF St. Francis Medical Center in Peoria. He also earned a master’s degree in animal science and an undergraduate degree in agricultural science from the University of Illinois.

“Dr. Boston brings great credentials to the CMO role,” said Harry Schmidt, president and CEO of Passavant. “As a former Emergency Department medical director at Passavant and assistant director at Memorial, Dr. Boston has the proven leadership skills. By continuing to practice in the Emergency Department, he’ll keep in close touch with his fellow physicians.”

Hale, a former Memorial Physician Services (MPS) physician, has lived and practiced medicine in Jacksonville since 1983, and has been instrumental in leading and shaping healthcare in the community. He was the 2018 recipient of the Woody Hester Legacy of Leadership Award, Memorial Health System’s top leadership award.

“As Dr. Hale retires, we thank him for his commitment to serving Passavant, the medical staff and community,” Schmidt said. “We will certainly miss his leadership, but wish him well as he transitions to a new chapter in his life.” 

The CMO is responsible for the administrative and clinical leadership of the medical staff at Passavant.  In addition, the CMO works with the physicians and the administrative/clerical staffs at Passavant and affiliate organizations to streamline operating systems, create efficiencies, reduce costs and eliminate barriers in order to maximize positive patient outcomes.