News Center

Wednesday, July 1, 2015

New leader assumes helm of Franciscan St. Francis Health in Central Indiana

INDIANAPOLIS – James Callaghan, MD, is the new president and chief executive officer for Franciscan St. Francis Health, effective July 1.

In that role, Dr. Callaghan will lead hospital campuses at Indianapolis, Mooresville and Carmel, and the Franciscan Plainfield Health Center. Those facilities are part of Franciscan Alliance, a Mishawaka, Indiana-based system with 13 hospitals throughout Indiana and south suburban Chicago.

“Franciscan St. Francis Health has a rich heritage of serving patients and communities throughout Central Indiana,” Dr. Callaghan said. “I look forward to the opportunity to work with the people behind the traditions, the culture, and the good works that define Franciscan Alliance’s enduring mission and healthcare ministry.”
He succeeds Robert J. Brody, who now is senior vice president and chief operating officer of Franciscan Alliance’s ambulatory services and director of Franciscan Physician Network.
Since 2008, Dr. Callaghan served as president of Franciscan St. Anthony Health-Michigan City.

During his tenure, he spearheaded initiatives designed to bring healthcare closer to the community, including the construction of a cancer treatment center, freestanding emergency department, diagnostic center and physician office complex in Chesterton.

Dr. Callaghan also led Franciscan Alliance’s clinical operations group, an initiative to improve quality, reduce costs and improve value for patients. He held other leadership roles at Franciscan St. Anthony as chief operating officer, vice president of medical affairs and other key clinical and administrative appointments.

From 2001 to 2003, he was vice president of Medical Group of Michigan City and also practiced inpatient and outpatient medicine.

Dr. Callaghan received his undergraduate degree from the University of Notre Dame and earned his medical degree at the University of Illinois College of Medicine in Chicago. He completed an internal medicine internship at Northwestern University School of Medicine. Following that, he served in the U.S. Air Force as a flight surgeon, including an assignment as   flight surgeon with the prestigious “Thunderbirds” air demonstration team.

After his military service, he entered and completed a residency with Franciscan St. Francis Health’s family medicine residency program. He later earned a master’s of business administration from Purdue University.

Dr. Callaghan is a Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives and the American Academy of Family Physicians; a Diplomate with the American Board of Family Medicine; and a member of the American Association for Physician Leadership.

Active in community service, he has been a member of the LaPorte County Economic Advisory Board, Northern Indiana Education Foundation, United Way of LaPorte County, University of Notre Dame Alumni Club and a coach for the Michigan City Soccer Club.

Dr. Callaghan and his wife Susan have four children.