LYNCHBURG – Centra executive E.W.Tibbs Jr. is expected to be named as the next president and CEO of the Lynchburg-based healthcare system by the full Centra Board of Directors on Monday. His appointment was recommended by the executive committee following the resignation of Michael Bryant, who served in that post since October 2011.

Tibbs is Centra senior vice president for operations and president and CEO of Centra Southside Community Hospital in Farmville. He joined Centra in 2006, having previously served as president and CEO of Bedford Memorial Hospital. He is a registered nurse and holds a bachelor of science degree in nursing as well as a master's degree in business administration.

“E.W. brings a wealth of leadership expertise in both the clinical and financial side of healthcare systems,” said Kenneth S. White, Centra Board Chairman in a Thursday announcement. “We are very fortunate to have someone of his talents and expertise in the organization, and now recommended for the helm.”

“This is an exciting time for Centra,” White said. “We have strong partnerships with the physicians, institutions and people in the communities we serve. We are in the midst of a 10-year master facilities plan, a process that includes looking at what facilities we will need and how they will be used over the next decade. We are studying patient volume projections, identifying trends in healthcare, including the projected shifts from inpatient to outpatient care, fee-for-service to accountable care, population health and wellness.

“We are well positioned as we move forward. We are committed to remaining a locally governed, nonprofit, integrated healthcare system providing a comprehensive range of healthcare services for our region.”

Bryant said, “I have enjoyed my time with Centra, and have confidence in the management team I am leaving behind and Centra's strategic direction.”

“We are disappointed that Michael has chosen a different path and we extend every good wish to him in his future endeavors,” said White. “Michael has a deep understanding of the challenges the healthcare industry is facing across the country. He brought this knowledge to Centra, from the standpoint of both how he perceives healthcare will be delivered in the future and the changing methodology of healthcare funding.

“Under his leadership, we have made significant progress in strategically positioning Centra to meet these challenges and we thank him for that.”