Staff Report

GALLIPOLIS — Dr. John H. Viall was recently named the vice president of medical affairs for Holzer Consolidated Health Systems, according to Tom Tope, president and chief executive officer.

The newly-established position was created to coordinate the professional medical and administrative activities of Holzer Health Systems entities, encompassing Holzer Medical Center in Gallipolis, Holzer Medical Center-Jackson, and Holzer Long Term Care, including Holzer Senior Care Center and Holzer Assisted Living facilities in Gallipolis and Jackson.

In his new position, Viall will assist in strategic planning and provide support for all system entities in the areas of quality improvement, customer service and personal development.

Viall shares the vision first expressed by Dr. Charles Holzer that the care we provide should, above all, be patient centered, HCHS officials said.

“Healthcare is much more complicated today but that does not change the fact that caring for our patients remains the very most important thing we need to do,” Viall said. “I hope to be able to work with our nurses, physicians and all the other members of our healthcare team to help insure that we continue to live up to Dr. Holzer’s high standards.”

“We warmly welcome Dr. Viall to our team and see his addition as timely for our continued success as a community owned health system,” said Tope. “In order to improve the quality of care you receive as a patient, we must be aware of how we compare to other hospitals and medical staffs.

“Dr. Viall’s job is to be a catalyst in the setting and executing of higher goals for Holzer’s delivery of care,” he added. “We strive to exceed our patients’ expectations during their stay with us. Holzer’s physicians, nursing staff and support staffs must be working together with defined goals. Dr. Viall’s enthusiasm will be integral in this endeavor.”

Born in Ashtabula, Ohio, Viall holds a bachelor of arts in zoology from Miami University in Oxford, Ohio, and a doctor of medicine (MD) from The Ohio State University College of Medicine.

Before his new position with HCHS, he was a practicing physician specializing in otolaryngology (ear, nose and throat) since 1979 at Holzer Clinic in Gallipolis.

In addition, Viall has served on Holzer Medical Center’s medical staff and has been a member of the hospital’s board of directors since 1994.

Viall and his wife, Becki, a registered nurse on the HMC Ambulatory Surgery Unit, reside in Gallipolis and have two children, Chris and Elizabeth.