MAT-SU -- Norman Stephens, chief executive of Mat-Su Regional Medical Center since 2004, is leaving the state's fifth largest acute-care hospital for a similar post in Idaho.

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.