SE Illinois News

Patrick L. Molt, MD, FACS, will retire from Fairfield Memorial Hospital at the end of 2025 after serving for 26 years. Dr. Molt began his private practice at the hospital in June 1999 and has held several leadership positions including Chief of Surgery, Chief Medical Officer, and President of the Board of Directors.

A native of Fairfield and born at Fairfield Memorial Hospital, Dr. Molt completed his undergraduate studies at Washington University in St. Louis and earned his medical degree from Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York. He later trained in general surgery and surgical oncology at Mount Sinai Medical Center and Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center. Before returning to Fairfield, he held academic roles at institutions such as Mount Sinai, Cornell University Medical College, and New York Medical College, as well as serving as Chief of Surgical Oncology at St. Agnes Hospital in White Plains, NY. He is currently an Adjunct Professor of Surgery at Rush Medical College in Chicago.

Dr. Molt’s decision to return to Fairfield was guided by a commitment to serve his local community: “I came home to take care of my people,” he said—a philosophy reflected throughout his career. Under his leadership, the hospital expanded its facilities and modernized its surgical and emergency departments while opening rural health clinics across the region.

His work has been recognized with honors such as the Illinois Rural Physician of Excellence Award (2008), Illinois Critical Access Hospital Network Service Award (2020), Citizen of the Year by the Greater Fairfield Area Chamber of Commerce (2009), and recognition from both state and federal legislative bodies for leadership and service. He has also served on national committees such as the Continuous Certification Committee for the American Board of Surgery.

Beyond clinical duties, Dr. Molt is known for mentoring future healthcare professionals and dedicating time to patients and colleagues alike: “I really, actually care for the patients,” he stated about his approach to care.

In recognition of his contributions, Fairfield Memorial Hospital named its Surgical Suite after Dr. Molt.

Reflecting on his retirement plans, Dr. Molt shared:

“It has been my privilege to provide surgical care to the residents of Southeastern Illinois, and I have felt much appreciated for my efforts. But, as it says in Ecclesiastes, ‘To everything there is a season,’ and the time has come for this season of my life to close.”

Andy Flemer, CEO of Fairfield Memorial Hospital commented: “On behalf of the entire FMH team, I would like to thank Dr Molt for his tireless and dedicated support of FMH, our patients and staff as well as wish him the best on a very well-deserved retirement from general surgery practice. FMH is actively recruiting for general surgery providers to join Dr Lauren Williams and Misty Stone, FNP. I look forward continuing to work with Dr Molt in his FMH Board President role.”

After retiring from surgical practice at year-end 2025, Dr. Molt will continue serving on the hospital’s board where he remains president. General Surgeon Lauren Williams MD and Family Nurse Practitioner Misty Stone APN will continue providing surgical services following Dr. Molt’s departure.