Chief Medical Officer

Job Description & Requirements

Chief Medical Officer

Forrest Health

Hattiesburg, MS

The Opportunity

Forrest Health seeks an accomplished physician executive to serve as Chief Medical Officer (CMO), reporting to President and CEO Jeff Cook. This leader will shape clinical strategies, improve patient flow and quality, and build effective relationships across the medical staff. The opportunity combines direct executive partnership with meaningful responsibility for clinical performance across the health system.

The Position

Core responsibilities include:

• Serve as a senior physician advisor and partner to Forrest Health executive leadership.
• Provide strategic and operational oversight for medicine departments and associated specialties.
• Lead quality improvement, patient safety, clinical outcomes, and evidence-based care initiatives.
• Strengthen medical staff engagement, peer review, and professional accountability.
• Support department chairs, medical directors, and physician workforce planning.
• Partner with nursing, finance, information technology, and operations to improve patient flow and care delivery.
• Maintain compliance with CMS, Joint Commission, and other applicable regulatory and accreditation requirements.
• Advance clinical governance and coordinated care across the health system.

The Ideal Candidate

Required:

• MD or DO degree from an accredited institution.
• Board certification in Internal Medicine or a medical subspecialty.
• Active and unrestricted medical license.
• Minimum of 10 years of clinical experience, including at least five years in a senior leadership role.
• Demonstrated success in clinical leadership, quality improvement, and healthcare administration.

Highly Valued Experience

• Current or prior CMO experience, or comparable senior physician executive responsibilities.
• Leadership in a regional or multi-hospital system with significant independent physician participation.
• Documented improvements in hospital medicine, throughput, utilization, quality, and patient safety.
• Experience with medical staff governance, peer review, accreditation, and physician accountability.
• Ability to advise senior executives on clinical strategy and financial performance.

The Organization

Forrest Health is a regional health system providing high-quality, compassionate care across South Mississippi. Anchored by Forrest General Hospital in Hattiesburg, the system encompasses seven hospitals, primary and specialty care clinics, and a comprehensive network of services designed to make exceptional healthcare accessible to the communities it serves. Forrest General Hospital is a 547-bed acute care hospital in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, serving patients throughout South Mississippi and the Pine Belt region. As the flagship hospital of Forrest Health, Forrest General combines advanced medical technology with compassionate, patient-centered care close to home.

Since 1952, Forrest Health has remained dedicated to a singular purpose: complete devotion to the care of others. What began as a commitment to meeting the healthcare needs of the community has grown into a regional system focused on advancing health and well-being through every stage of life. Guided by the belief that healthcare extends beyond treating illness, Forrest Health is committed to showing up, serving, and nurturing its communities through every moment, milestone, and need. This philosophy is reflected in the organization's enduring promise: To care in all ways, for all people, always. More than a mission statement, this commitment defines Forrest Health's culture, its relationships with patients and communities, and its approach to delivering compassionate, patient-centered care.

The Location

Known as the Hub City, Hattiesburg offers an attractive blend of Southern hospitality, university-town energy, and an exceptional quality of life. Located in southeastern Mississippi, Hattiesburg serves as a regional center for healthcare, education, commerce, and culture, offering the amenities of a thriving community with the accessibility and personal connections of a smaller city. Home to the University of Southern Mississippi and William Carey University, Hattiesburg benefits from a vibrant academic environment, collegiate athletics, performing arts, and year-round cultural events. Its historic downtown features locally owned restaurants, shops, galleries, and entertainment, while the Longleaf Trace provides miles of scenic trails for walking, running, and cycling.

Residents enjoy an affordable cost of living, diverse housing options, and convenient access to schools, parks, golf, and outdoor recreation. Shorter commutes and a welcoming community make Hattiesburg especially appealing to professionals and families seeking a balance between career opportunities and personal life. Strategically located approximately 90 minutes from Jackson and two hours from New Orleans, Hattiesburg also offers convenient access to the Mississippi Gulf Coast and its beaches, recreation, and entertainment.

For healthcare leaders considering relocation, Hattiesburg provides the opportunity to enjoy a fulfilling lifestyle while making a meaningful impact in one of Mississippi's important regional healthcare communities.

Please direct all inquiries, applications, and referrals to:

Richard Heishman

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About B.E. Smith Leadership Solutions, Executive and Physician Leadership Search

B.E. Smith Leadership Solutions, Executive and Physician Leadership Search, is a retained executive search firm serving the healthcare and life sciences industries. Ranked as one of the top healthcare recruiting firms in the country, B.E. Smith Leadership Solutions, is known for leading healthcare into the future by its growing base of clients across the country, drawing on a national pool of candidates.

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Job Benefits

About the Company