JOHN DAY — The Blue Mountain Hospital in John Day soon may have a new CEO at the helm.

The hospital’s board of directors holds a special meeting Wednesday, April 30, to offer the CEO position to one of three finalists. The board first holds a special meeting before retreating into executive session to consider the employment of a public officer, employee, staff member or individual agent.

No decisions will be made during the executive session. The board will then return to open session to consider selecting a new CEO.

Blue Mountain Hospital’s search for a new CEO began when, citing heath reasons, Cam Marlowe resigned from the role effective Dec. 1, 2024. The hospital’s board of directors turned to Margie Molitor to fill the role of interim CEO while it searched for a permanent hire.

Molitor has been the interim CEO since Dec. 2 and is serving in her second stint as interim CEO of the hospital, having served in the post from mid-January to mid-June 2015.

Molitor said she’s hopeful a decision is reached and an offer for the hospital’s CEO position is made at the special meeting, although the prospective hire’s name will not be made public during the meeting.

More than 74 applicants applied for the position. That number was whittled down to 13 and then later to three who were invited for final interviews.

Molitor said prior experience as a CEO and within a critical access hospital were the two most important factors when searching for a permanent CEO. A connection to or interest in Eastern Oregon and level of education and advanced degrees also were prioritized, she said.

The special meeting starts at 6 p.m. in the Blue Mountain Hospital conference room.