Baptist Hospital has named a two-decade member of its staff to be its new chief medical officer.

Geoffrey Smallwood, a practicing OB/GYN, took on his new role as liaison between Baptist’s physicians and its leadership May 14.

Smallwood has worked as one of Baptist’s part-time obstetrics hospitalists and led a simulation training program to better prepare other physicians and nurses for obstetrical emergencies. He was the chief OB/GYN at Baptist from 2009 until last year and led various safety and quality initiatives, including moves to align the group with the Tennessee Initiative for Perinatal Quality Care.

“Dr. Smallwood has demonstrated significant leadership in his more than 20 years here,” said Bernie Sherry, president and CEO of Baptist. “His commitment to this hospital and our overall mission of helping people live healthier lives makes him an essential member of our team.”

Smallwood attended medical school at the Tulane University School of Medicine and completed his internship at UCLA Medical Center and his residency at Vanderbilt University Medical Center. He began his career in private practice in Newport Beach, Calif., before coming to Nashville in the early 1990s.