Dr. James O. Alexander, MD

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Get to know Family Physician Dr. James O. Alexander, who serves patients in Illinois.

Dr. Alexander is a board-certified family physician who specializes in comprehensive health care for people of all ages. 

He began his career in his hometown, Harrisburg, Illinois, in 1991 and added a practice site in Marion in 2003. He worked alongside his wife and biggest supporter, Jennifer, who is a PA-C. They had a large occupational medicine presence in the coal industry, providing wellness clinics onsite, pre-employment evaluations, and treatment for work-related illness and injuries. This branched off to other industries in Southern Illinois.

Since leaving his private practice, Dr. Alexander has been doing administrative work. Some of the positions that he has had over the years include Medical Director of the Behavioral Health Unit at the Mulberry Center in Harrisburg; Director of Clinics for Harrisburg Medical Center in Harrisburg, Eldorado, Galatia, Equality, and Marion; Associate Clinical Professor at the University of Illinois College of Medicine (RMED Program); Chief Medical Officer for Harrisburg Medical Center from 2018-2021; and Chief Medical Officer and Regional Medical Director for Centura Health in Southwest Kansas from 2021-2022.  

In regards to his educational background, Dr. Alexander graduated with his Bachelor of Arts degree in Physiology from Southern Illinois University in 1984. He then went on to earn his medical degree from Southern Illinois University School of Medicine in 1988, after which he performed his residency in family medicine at Memorial Hospital in South Bend, Indiana from 1988 until 1991.

Possessing immense general knowledge on maintaining health, the doctor is board-certified in family medicine by the American Board of Family Medicine (ABFM). The ABFM is a non-profit, independent medical association of American physicians who practice in family medicine and its sub-specialties.

On a professional level, Dr. Alexander is an active member of the American Medical Association, the Illinois Academy of Family Physicians, the American Academy of Family Physicians, the American College of Healthcare Executives, the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society, and the American Association for Physician Leadership.

Since 2005, he has been serving as an Associate Clinical Professor at Southern Illinois University School of Medicine.

Family medicine is a medical specialty devoted to comprehensive health care for people of all ages. The specialist is called a family physician or family doctor. A family physician is often the first person a patient sees when seeking healthcare services. They examine and treat patients with a wide range of conditions and refer those with serious ailments to a specialist or appropriate facility.

Attributing his success to family support, attention to details, as well as patient and community needs, Dr. Alexander’s philanthropic endeavors include Ainad Shriners and Harrisburg Masonic Lodge #325.

Outside of practicing medicine, he enjoys woodworking, fishing, hunting, and golfing. His favorite professional publication is Harvard Business Review.

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