Palmetto Health and the University of South Carolina, located in Columbia, has announced the appointment of Les Hall, MD, as the first CEO of the Palmetto Health-USC Medical Group and executive dean of the University of South Carolina School of Medicine.
Dr. Hall's new role will begin on Feb. 1, 2015. He currently serves as interim dean of the University of Missouri School of Medicine.
As CEO, Dr. Hall will be responsible for overseeing and advancing the clinical integration of Palmetto Health's physician practices and the School of Medicine's clinical departments to create the Midland's largest multispecialty medical group. This nonprofit medical group, expected to open in 2015, will include more than 1,300 healthcare professionals, including 400 physicians.
As executive dean of the medical school, Dr. Hall will direct the education, research and clinical missions of the School of Medicine. Additionally, he will oversee all academic and research programs, and support the growth of undergraduate medical education at the Columbia campus.
"Throughout the search process, Palmetto Health and the University of South Carolina shared a common goal — to find a physician leader who will more closely align our organizations through the integration of our health care delivery services," said Charles D. Beaman Jr., CEO of Palmetto Health. "We are thrilled to welcome Dr. Hall as the first CEO of Palmetto Health-USC Medical Group and look forward to his guidance as we advance and expand the quality of health care provided to patients living in the Midlands and beyond."