Here are four things to know about the decision.
1. The decision follows the departure of CEO Jean Aycock, whose separation agreement was approved Friday.
2. Ms. Qualls has agreed to step into the acting CEO role while the hospital works to find an interim CEO and begins to search for a long-term CEO.
3. The decision comes as Oconee faces financial challenges and is in the midst of a turnaround. The financial challenges have resulted in about 12 layoffs.
4. The hospital has made multiple efforts to turn the facility around, such as working to form a Physicians Strategic Advisory Council and entering into a support services agreement with Macon, Ga.-based Navicent Health. The hospital said the relationship with Navicent provides support financially, operationally and clinically, and allows the hospital to continue to be locally-governed and locally-managed.
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