Hospital chain names new president

NAPLES — Tennessee-based Community Health Systems appointed David Miller as its president and chief operating officer and tasked him with overseeing the integration of Health Management Associates' 71 hospitals.

Shareholders of HMA agreed to sell the company to rival Community Health Systems for $7.6 billion, and the transaction is scheduled to be completed later this month. Naples-based HMA operates 71 hospitals and Community Health, based in Franklin, Tenn., operates 135 hospitals. In combination, both companies will operate a total of 31,000 hospital beds.

Miller previously was president of Community Health's hospitals in the region that included Alabama, Mississippi, North Carolina and Virginia. In addition, Community Health appointed Bill Hussey as president of the division overseeing hospitals in Florida as well as Georgia and South Carolina.

“The new divisional structure and executive promotions are intended to position the larger organization for long-term success during a period of transformation for the company and the health care industry,” Community Health says in a statement.