Dr. James Walton has been named president and CEO of Genesis Physician Group, a Dallas-based independent practice association with more than 1,400 members. He starts March 1.

Walton, an osteopathic internist, will be the first physician to hold the organization's president and CEO post. He succeeds Ron Lutz, who is retiring after 13 years with Genesis and who will advise Walton during the transition, a news release said.

Walton, 55, is currently VP of network performance and the Baylor Quality Alliance at the Dallas-based Baylor Health System. He joined Baylor in 1996 after he and his partners at the Ellis County Diagnostic Clinic sold the practice to Baylor. He serves as secretary/treasurer for the Dallas County Medical Society board of directors.