Gene Wright announced Friday that he will resign as chief executive officer of Vaughan Regional Medical Center effective May 30.

Wright assumed leadership of Vaughan Regional in March 2002 following the merger of Vaughan Regional Medical Center and Selma Baptist Hospital. Vaughan Regional is currently operated by Province Healthcare.

The search for a new CEO is under way, according to Barbara Dunn, marketing director at Vaughan Regional.

Wright said his desire to be near his family in Tennessee weighed heavily on his decision.

During his tenure at Vaughan Regional, Wright oversaw the expansion of the hospital’s obstetrics and radiology departments as well as the renovation of the lobby and patient admission areas.

Tom Pemberton, Province Healthcare regional vice president, said, &uot;We are thankful to Gene for the time he has spent in Selma. He worked very hard to improve the delivery and accessibility of healthcare in Selma and Dallas County. We wish him and Lisa well.&uot;

Prior to joining Province, Wright held positions with HealthMont and New American Healthcare, both of Nashville. He also has served as regional vice president and CEO at hospitals throughout the Southeast. He is a graduate of Murray State University in Kentucky.

Vaughan Regional is a licensed 214-bed acute care facility with 155 staffed beds available. The hospital is accredited by the Joint Commission on the Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations.

The hospital is awaiting a hearing date on its appeal for a state of Alabama Certificate of Need to upgrade its intensive care unit, emergency room and outpatient services departments.