The Springfield Memorial Hospital Board of Directors has approved Jay Roszhart as the next president and CEO of the nonprofit hospital. Roszhart, who currently serves as president of the Memorial Health Ambulatory Group, will assume the role on July 1.
"I’m honored by the opportunity to lead a hospital that has such an impact in central Illinois and beyond,” Roszhart said. "SMH plays a crucial role in ensuring the health and well-being not only of people in Springfield but across our region.”
Roszhart, a Springfield native, first worked at SMH as a phlebotomist while attending high school and college. He began his full-time career at Memorial Health in 2009 as an administrative fellow and has held progressively increasing responsibilities in the areas of case management, population health, managed care and care coordination, culminating in his leadership of Memorial’s ambulatory services, including Memorial Behavioral Health, Memorial Care, Memorial Specialty Care and Memorial Home Care.
He has a master’s degree in healthcare administration from the Saint Louis University School of Public Health and a bachelor’s degree in molecular and cellular biology from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.
"Jay has spent nearly his entire career at Memorial, and I know he has a deep pride in the work we do and our commitment to the community,” said Memorial Health CEO Ed Curtis.
Roszhart replaces Dr. Chuck Callahan, who has announced his intent to leave Memorial on June 30 to seek other professional opportunities.
SMH is a 500-bed hospital that offers comprehensive inpatient and outpatient services to residents of 40 central and southern Illinois counties. Since 1970, SMH has been a teaching hospital affiliated with Southern Illinois University School of Medicine for the purpose of providing clinical training for residents. The hospital recently received its fourth Magnet designation for nursing excellence.
"Jay’s commitment to Memorial and his extensive knowledge of the Springfield community make him an ideal candidate to lead SMH,” said Dr. David Griffen, chair of the SMH Board of Directors. "We look forward to working with Jay as we continue to fulfill our mission in the years to come.”
As hospital CEO, Roszhart will also continue to lead Memorial Behavioral Health. This combined role will enable increased collaboration to meet the growing mental health needs of patients in the hospital and community behavioral health settings.
"One of Jay’s strengths as a leader is his ability to look ahead and ensure Memorial is able to meet the needs of tomorrow, as well as the needs of today,” said Kevin England, who will become president of Memorial Health on July 1. "I believe he is the right person to lead SMH into the future."