WHEELING – Ohio Valley Medical Center named Michael J. Caruso of Wheeling as interim president and chief executive officer for Ohio Valley Health Services & Education Corporation on Monday after the sudden departure of OVMC’s former CEO George Couch on Friday.

Matthew Thomas, chairman of the OVHS&E Board of Directors, made the announcement. OVHS&E is the parent company of Ohio Valley Medical Center in Wheeling and East Ohio Regional Hospital in Martins Ferry.

Wheeling Hospital spokesman Gregg Warren confirmed Monday that Couch accepted a position at that hospital but said comment about the situation would occur “at the appropriate time.” No details were available concerning what position Couch will fill at Wheeling Hospital.

Couch had worked at Wheeling Hospital from 2001-05 as administrator for post acute care. Couch had been at OVMC since December 2010. Prior to that post, he was chief executive officer at Wetzel County Hospital for five years.

At OVMC, Couch had taken over for interim CEO Gary Amberson, who assumed the role when former interim CEO Jan Jennings stepped down in November 2010. Jennings had filled in as CEO after the resignation of former CEO Brian K. Felici in April of that year.

Meanwhile, the Wheeling Hospital board of directors recently renewed the contract of current CEO Ronald Violi through 2015. Violi has been overseeing the construction of a 144,000-square-foot Tower 5 project that will provide larger spaces for a new emergency department, intensive care and cardiovascular intensive care units and the Center for Pediatrics.

At OVMC, Thomas did not comment on Couch’s departure but focused on Caruso. Couch was not available for comment.

“Mike’s experience as an OVHS&E administrator, his commitment to our employees and the success of our organization, as well as his dedication to continuing the tradition of quality patient care that our hospitals have provided for over 100 years, are all key attributes of what we are looking for in an interim CEO,” Thomas said. “His unwavering loyalty to our organization and employees as well as the communities we serve makes him an ideal choice to lead the OVHS&E team.”

Caruso was selected by the board’s executive committee earlier this month to replace Couch, who was named chief executive officer in January 2011.

“Ohio Valley Medical Center and East Ohio Regional Hospital have experienced a significant turnaround in 2011, and our team looks forward to continuing those efforts as we move forward into 2012,” said Caruso. “Like the communities we serve, we believe in our medical staffs, nurses and employees. We know we have the talented people and the right tools to be successful and remain a viable health care institution in the Ohio Valley.”

Caruso most recently served as corporate chief operating officer for OVHS&E. Prior to returning to Ohio Valley Medical Center in 2009, he worked as physician relations director for West Virginia University Healthcare and as an administrator at Wheeling Hospital. Caruso brings with him more than 25 years of health care management experience.