Former Chief Doctor Lacked License To Practice Medicine

The last date Leigthon Smith, the former chief medical doctor for Northwest Community Hospital, was licensed to practice medicine was July 31, 1999, according to the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation. Before, smith had been licensed since Sept. 23, 1977 but fail to renew. 

However, Northwest Community Hospital spokeswoman Jackie Speckin told the Daily Herald, "the state does not require chief medical officers to be licensed because the job is purely administrative and does not involve directly treating patients." 

The hospital is seeking a replacement and may hire someone who's not licensed, according to the Daily Herald.