Stephens will start June 1 as CEO of Portneuf Medical Center in Pocatello. His last day of work at the Mat-Su hospital is May 15. The former CEO in Idaho resigned in February to pursue doctoral studies.
Portneuf is embarking on a $240 million renovation of a 250-bed hospital, Stephens said. The medical center switched from county-run status to a joint venture between the county and Texas-based Legacy Hospital Partners Inc. in February.
Stephens started his health care career in 1977 as a physical therapist and spent 16 years as a CEO at several different facilities, according to a statement released by Portneuf.
He joined the Mat-Su hospital five years ago as it switched from a community, not-for-profit operation to a joint venture with Texas-based Triad Hospitals Inc.
A new, 74-bed hospital opened in 2006 along the Parks Highway between Palmer and Wasilla, replacing the much smaller Valley Hospital in Palmer. In 2007, Community Health Systems Inc. -- the country's largest network of publicly traded hospitals -- bought out Triad.
The company will conduct a national search for a new CEO at Mat-Su Regional, Stephens said.
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