Dr. James Callaghan, a former family physician in Chesterton, has been named the new president of Saint Anthony Memorial in Michigan City.

The Sisters of St. Francis Health Services, which operates 11 Indiana hospitals including the Michigan City hospital, announced that Callaghan will assume the presidency on Feb. 1. The current president, David Ruskowski, will assume the post of president at Saint Anthony Medical Center in Crown Point.

Callaghan began his local medical career as a family physician in Michigan City and Chesterton. He has served in a variety of roles at Saint Anthony Memorial, most recently as Chief Operating Officer and Vice President of Medical Affairs.

He has also served as a flight surgeon in the U.S. Air Force, leading international medical team operations involving humanitarian assistance, as well as serving with the “Thunderbirds” Air Demonstration Team. He is a graduate of the University of Notre Dame and University of Illinois College of Medicine, and he completed his residency in family practice at St. Francis Hospital and Health Centers. He received his MBA from Purdue University.

Callaghan is a board member of the Northern Indiana Education Foundation, the U.S. Senator Richard Lugar’s Air Force Academy Merit Selection Board, and the University of Notre Dame Alumni Club of LaPorte County. He has also coached multiple Michigan City Soccer Club youth league and served on the Board of the Michigan City Piranhas youth league swim team.

He currently lives in Long Beach with his wife, Sue and four children.

Posted 1/4/2008