James Leonard, MD
President, CEO & Family Medicine physician at Carle Health System
James C. Leonard, MD, is president and chief executive officer of Carle Health based in Urbana, Ill. serving more than 2.0 million people in a rural, semi-rural area. In his tenure, Dr. Leonard has led the organization through a period of growth to address the healthcare needs of the region through its 8 hospitals with 16,000 employees, a multispecialty physician group, and associated healthcare businesses including the Carle Illinois College of Medicine, the world’s first engineering-based medical school.
CEO since 1999, Dr. Leonard’s tenure has allowed him to create a culture of innovation, diversity and high quality. Under his leadership, Carle Foundation Hospital ranks as one of America’s Top 50 Best Hospitals™ by HealthGrades. Both Carle Foundation Hospital and Carle BroMenn Medical Center have been recognized as having achieved Magnet® designation multiple times, the nation’s highest honor for nursing care, with Carle Foundation achieving Magnet with Distinction for Nursing Excellence, which is an elite group.
Carle Health has been designated as a Great Place to Work® 5 consecutive years.
An Illinois native, he graduated from the University of Illinois with a B.A. and M.D. and completed residency at MacNeal Hospital in Berwyn, Ill., Dr. Leonard began his career with Carle Clinic Association in 1984 as a family practice physician. Dr. Leonard has had sub-certifications in Addiction Medicine and Sports Medicine. He was instrumental in the founding of Carle’s Drug and Alcohol Program. In 1996 he served as a physician at the Atlanta Olympic Games. He served in a variety of leadership roles at Carle Clinic and The Carle Foundation and was named CEO in 1999. With his perspective as a physician, the health system has advanced to expand services that are nationally-ranked for innovation and quality patient care.
Dr. Leonard has been named one of the Becker’s Hospital Review Physician Leaders to Know, has served as chair of the Illinois Hospital Association and on the American Hospital Association board of trustees. He currently serves on the Illinois Hospital Association Nominating Committee and DEI Committee and the American Hospital Association’s Committee on Hospitals Against Violence and the Committee on Strategy & Innovation.