New leadership takes over at Centra Health in Lynchburg

Centra Health in Lynchburg has announced a change in leadership, with an interim CEO taking over as the organization searches for a permanent leader. After three years, CEO Amy Carrier has stepped down, following respectful discussions with the board of directors.

Thomas Nygaard, the chairman of Centra’s board of directors, explained that the decision for a leadership change was made due to the ever-evolving nature of the healthcare industry. He noted that in the past, it was common for a CEO to remain in their position for decades, but now, new leadership is often needed to adapt to the changing landscape of healthcare.

Richard Tugman, who previously served as Centra’s interim CEO in 2021 for nine months, has been chosen to lead the organization during this transition period. Nygaard praised Tugman’s leadership skills and community respect, stating that he is the right person to lead Centra forward.

Despite the change in leadership, all ongoing projects in Centra’s modernization plan, such as the construction of a behavioral health and rehabilitation hospital and a new medical office building, will continue as planned. Nygaard emphasized the importance of these projects for improving patient care at Centra.

With Tugman in place as interim CEO, Centra’s board of directors will take their time in selecting a permanent leader, without setting a specific timeline for the decision. They are confident that Tugman’s leadership will ensure a smooth transition as they search for a new CEO to guide Centra into the future.