Medical Center Enterprise names new CEO

The Medical Center Enterprise Board of Trustees has named Heath Phillips Chief Executive Officer of the hospital.

Phillips has been serving as interim CEO since June 1, after Richard Ellis stepped down from the position.

According to a press release from MCE, Phillips was a unanimous choice for the top leadership post.

"Heath is an outstanding leader with a proven track record over the course of more than 12 years of operational excellence, physician partnerships, and physician recruitment," said Dr. Sam Sawyer, chairman of the MCE Board of Trustees, said in the release.

Phillips is the former COO of Flowers Hospital in Dothan. Over the past several years, Phillips has worked with hospitals across the Southeast, including in Gadsden and Birmingham, as well as Tallahassee, Fla.

Phillips holds a bachelor's degree in Health Care Management from the University of Alabama and a master's degree in Health Administration, from the University of Alabama at Birmingham.

“I want to thank the board for giving me the opportunity to serve as the new CEO of Medical Center Enterprise," Phillips said in the release. "During the last couple of months, I have enjoyed getting to know the outstanding staff, physicians and volunteers at MCE. I have also had the opportunity to meet many people throughout the community and have been blown away by the warm welcome and support for your community hospital.

"It is evident that Enterprise is a very special place, and I am excited to get involved in any way that I can be of service. My family and I are proud to be here, and I am very eager to get started.”