Health system names new CEO

VENICE — John McLain was named CEO of Venice Regional Bayfront Health, a south Sarasota County hospital that state regulators tagged last year for not properly cleaning up after a large sewage spill.

McLain will take over as CEO of the 312-bed hospital Feb. 29, according to a statement. McLain replaces Peter Wozniak, who resigned at the end of July. Hospital executive Jeff Reece had been interim CEO of the hospital since Wozniak left.

McLain has almost 30 years experience in hospital administration, most recently as executive vice president and COO of the Southern Regional Health System in Riverdale, Ga. He has also served as CEO of hospitals in Tennessee and Virginia and in an administrative role in Alabama.

“John brings a breadth of experience and strength of leadership that will serve our hospital and community,” says George Pickhardt, chair of the Venice Regional Bayfront Health board of trustees, in the statement. “He has been highly involved in the community everywhere he has lived and looks forward to doing the same here in Venice.”

Franklin, Tenn.-based hospital giant Community Health Systems owns Venice Regional Bayfront Health, which is part of a network of seven hospitals in Florida.