James A. Schell, II, MD, MHA, FACP, has been appointed Vice President – Medical Affairs at Saint Francis Medical Center. In this position, Schell will oversee a number of medical and administrative functions, including physician credentialing and recruitment, incorporating the latest medical advancements and continuing the Medical Center's superior reputation for clinical quality.

Prior to joining Saint Francis, Schell was the medical director at DePaul Health Center, a 450-bed acute care facility with a 741 member medical staff in the St. Louis metropolitan area. He practiced internal medicine in both hospital-based and private-practice settings for 15 years and has served as medical director for many organizations in the healthcare industry, including insurance groups, medical centers and Missouri Medicare Services.

Schell earned his medical degree and his master's in health administration from the University of Missouri–Columbia, Columbia, Mo., and did his internal medicine residency at St. John's Mercy Medical Center, St. Louis, Mo.

Schell is a member of the American Medical Association, the American College of Physician Executives and the St. Louis Metropolitan Medical Society. He is also a fellow of the American College of Physicians.