SPRINGFIELD — Memorial Health will have new leadership beginning next July after the departure of the medical group’s chief executive Ed Curtis.
Curtis, the company’s president and CEO, is stepping down by June 30, 2025, with a plan of succession already set in stone. Kevin England, who is currently is the company’s senior VP and chief administrative officer, will assume his new duties sometime in 2025.
England will assume some presidential duties beginning this July, but will be reporting directly to Curtis during a transitional period set to last up to a year. At the conclusion of this transition, Curis will be retiring from the company.
Curtis, a native of Springfield, spent the entirety of his career with Memorial Health, starting at Memorial Medical Center as a register nurse in 1975. He became president and CEO in January 2008, taking over after the departure of Robert Clarke. He previously served in other executive roles prior to his appointment as president.
The board of directors of Memorial Health approved the transition plan.
The Springfield-based Memorial Health operates hospitals in Decatur, Jacksonville, Lincoln, Springfield, and Taylorville. In addition, they also own and operate 70 primary care, urgent care, and specialty care services across Central Illinois. They also provide behavioral and home health services.
“One of Memorial Health’s greatest strengths is the stability and the continuity of our leadership,” Curtis said in a news release. “Throughout our history, we have created succession plans to ensure that leadership transitions are as seamless as possible. This succession plan marks the beginning of a new chapter for Memorial, and I look forward to working with Kevin to ensure we continue to fulfill our mission for many years to come.”
England, an alum of the University of Illinois Springfield, has been part of Memorial Health for 35 years, starting out as the director of clinical resource management at Memorial Medical Center. He is also a board member of the Springfield YMCA and previously served as a board member of the Central Illinois Community Blood Center, now known as ImpactLife.
“This is a time of rapid change in the field of health care, and Memorial is well positioned to meet the challenges of the future thanks to our tradition of strong, visionary leadership,” England said. “It’s an honor to be chosen to carry that tradition forward.”
Board chairman Michael Aiello said that England exemplifies the qualities the board sought in a new leader.
“Kevin has shown a strong commitment to Memorial and our communities over the years,” Aiello said. “We believe his leadership, vision and deep understanding of the organization’s culture make him the ideal person to guide Memorial in the coming years.”
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Jake Leonard, a broadcast media and journalism veteran, is the editor-in-chief of Heartland Newsfeed. Leonard is also GM and program director of Heartland Newsfeed Radio Network, wrestling editor and contributing writer for Ambush Sports, a contributing writer for My Sports Vote and Midwest Sports Network, and a former contributor to Bleacher Report and Overtime Heroics. He resides at home in Nokomis, Ill. with his dog Buster.
