Reliant Medical CEO stepping down

PHOTO/COURTESY Dr. Armin Ernst is leaving Reliant Medical Group, the organization announced.

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By Sam Bonacci

The chief executive of Reliant Medical Group will step down at the end of February to pursue other opportunities, the Worcester-based organization announced Friday.

A statement from Reliant said Dr. Armin Ernst will look for new work in his medical specialty, pulmonology, but will stay on as a consultant through the end of February. Dr. Leon Josephs, chairman of Reliant’s board, will take over as interim CEO, the statement said. He has been with the group for 14 years as its chief of general and vascular surgery. He will retain his role as board chairman.

Dr. Ernst was hired as CEO in January 2013, replacing Jack Dutzar, who retired. Dr. Ernst was an executive with Steward Health Care at the time he was hired.

“Dr. Ernst brought positive change and strategic insight to Reliant Medical Group,” Dr. Josephs said in a statement. “We’re confident that the work Dr. Ernst set in motion over the last couple of years has furthered Reliant’s position as a regional health care leader and one of the most advanced medical groups in the state.”

Reliant recently grew through a merger with Southboro Medical Group that took effect Jan. 1. The combined groups serve approximately 320,000 patients with more than 500 providers and 2,700 employees at 25 sites in Central Massachusetts and MetroWest.