Brent Smith, DO, vice president and CMO of Edward Hospital in Naperville, Ill., died in his nearby home Dec. 17 after experiencing a heart attack.
Dr. Smith held his position at Edward since 2011.
His colleagues and hospital staff are still in shock over Dr. Smith's death, according to the Daily Herald. Hospital President and CEO Bill Kottmann described Dr. Smith as extremely passionate about his work, highly intelligent and a strong leader.
"He was definitely in the right line of work," Mr. Kottmann told the Daily Herald. "In watching him carry out his duties here, it was obvious to me he cared about people deeply. He was probably one of the kindest, most compassionate people I knew."
Dr. Smith previously practiced internal medicine in Chicago's Southwest suburbs and served as assistant medical director and physician leader for the Silver Cross Managed Care Organization. He earned his degree from the Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine and, in 2010, earned a master's degree in medical management from Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh.
Services will be held Jan. 7 in Dr. Smith's hometown of Carthage, Ill. The Daily Herald reports that a memorial will be held at the hospital after the holidays, but the event is still in the planning stage.