Doug Babb Announces Retirement as CEO of Cooper Clinic

Leadership changes were announced Tuesday by one of the largest physician-owned medical groups in the state.

Doug Babb, CEO of Fort Smith-based Cooper Clinic, announced his retirement and his successor will be chief operating officer Curtis Ralston, who will take over in January.

The announcement was posted to the Cooper Clinic website in the form of a statement written by Dr. Michael Callaway, the outgoing president of the board of directors, and Dr. Daniel Mackey, the incoming board president.

“Doug advised our board of directors earlier this year of his intent to retire and has worked with board members to implement an orderly succession plan,” the statement said. “Under Doug’s guidance, Curtis Ralston has been well prepared for his promotion.”

Ralston, an Oklahoma native, is a certified public accountant and has been with Cooper Clinic since 2011 when he was hired as chief financial officer

Babb has been CEO of Cooper Clinic since July 30, 2007. He had previously held senior leadership positions with  Beverly Enterprises in Fort Smith and Texas-based Burlington Northern Santa Fe Corp., parent company to BNDF Railway.

Cooper Clinic has physicians in 25 specialties and will celebrate its 95^th anniversary in 2015.