Cullman Regional Medical Center has appointed its second interim CEO to head the local hospital in the wake of Jim Weidner’s departure from the position in May.

James Clements, previously of Macon, Georgia, has been named the new interim CEO of CRMC effective today. He replaces Vice President of Patient Care Services Cheryl Bailey, who had been covering both her original role and CEO duties after Weidner left. Weidner and the hospital board were reportedly unable to come to terms regarding a contract renewal earlier this year.

“James is well-qualified and has more than 25 years of experience,” CRMC Board Chair Todd McLeroy told The Times. “One thing that struck me was how pleasant he is, and he has great people skills. We think he’s just a really good fit.”

As Clements takes the helm, McLeroy made a point to thank Bailey for her contributions in working dual roles in recent months to assist the hospital through the transitional period.

Clements is a healthcare executive with more than 25 years of operations experience as a Chief Executive Office, Chief Financial Officer and as a Chief Operations Officer for acute-care hospitals with 60-500 beds. Most recently, Clements served as the Vice President of Business Development & Strategic Partnership for Wellstar Health System in Marietta, Georgia and CEO at South Fulton Medical Center, a Tenet Healthcare Corporation hospital in Atlanta, Georgia where he had served since 2004.

He holds a Master of Business Administration from Georgia State University in Atlanta and a Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting from Mercer University in Macon, Georgia.

“I am excited to be here and was immediately struck by the teamwork of the employees and physicians of CRMC,” Clements wrote in a prepared statement to The Times. “The values and respect for one another evident in the community and in the hospital are pleasant reminders of my hometown of Macon, Georgia.”

More than 25 years as a Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer and as a Chief Operations Officer for acute-care hospitals with 60-500 beds.

CEO at South Fulton Medical Center

Vice President of Business Development & Strategic Partnership for Wellstar Health System in Marietta, Georgia

Master of Business Administration from Georgia State University in Atlanta, Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting from Mercer University in Macon, Georgia