The Oak Valley Hospital Board of Directors announced on Wednesday night that Acting Hospital CEO John McCormick will be placed as the permanent CEO with a pending three-year contract.

“I’m overjoyed that John has decided to take the position,” said board president Dan Cummins. “He is more than capable to lead this hospital and I’m looking forward to him taking us forward into the next three years.”

McCormick assumed the hospital’s vacant Chief Financial Officer position last May replacing Wayne Mills, who resigned to accept a position with another healthcare organization in Yuba City. In November, the hospital board of directors put then-CEO John Friel on administrative leave for the remainder of his contract and named McCormick as the interim CEO.

“I’m excited to be working with the dedicated employees, volunteers, and staff,” McCormick said of his permanent appointment. “I’m very appreciative of this opportunity provided by the board of directors.

Oak Valley Hospital is scheduled to open its new $90 million healthcare facility this summer and will have McCormick at the helm as the transition to the modern building takes place.

“I’m amazed at what a beautiful structure it is,” McCormick said.

McCormick obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree in Accounting from California State University, Fullerton and an MBA from Pepperdine University. He began his career in accounting with the Fluor-Daniel Corporation, a Fortune 500 Company, before moving to the healthcare field. He served 10 years as chief financial officer at Mountains Community Hospital in Lake Arrowhead, then joined Brim Healthcare in Southern California, eventually being promoted to regional finance officer in 2003.

Details of McCormick’s contract will be released after it is ratified by the Oak Valley Hospital Board of Directors at its June 27 meeting.