LYNCHBURG, Va. – The president and CEO of Centra has resigned. Health leaders say Doctor Andy Mueller submitted his resignation on Jan. 26th and will become CEO of MaineHealth in Portland. Amy Ray, chairman of Centra’s Board of Directors, praised Mueller for what he’s accomplished in the amount of time. Lynchburg attorney Richard Tugman will be the interim president and CEO. He’s been with Centra since 2016 and currently serves as president and CEO of Piedmont Community Health Plan.

The top man at Sovah Health in Martinsville is out. The health system confirmed to 10 News that Dale Alward is no longer the CEO at the Martinsville campus. Tory Shepherd, the hospital’s COO, will now serve as interim CEO. Tory Shepherd (Sovah Health)“We will inform our community when a permanent leader has been identified,” wrote Sovah Marketing Director Kelly Fitzgerald to 10 News in an email. “As a matter of practice, we maintain confidentiality on all personnel matters, so we cannot provide additional details.”This news comes on the same day that we learned Centra CEO Dr. Andy Mueller is leaving for Maine.

On Tuesday, Centra President and CEO Dr. Andy Mueller submitted his resignation to the Centra Board of Directors. He’s leaving Centra to become the CEO for MaineHealth, based in Portland, Maine. Mueller’s leadership has been critical in building a talented leadership team, navigating the current pandemic, and positioning Centra for the future,” said Centra Board of Directors Chairman Amy Ray in a news release. We are disheartened in his decision but wish him all success in his new position.”As Centra searches for a new CEO, Richard Tugman will serve as interim president and CEO. Tugman, an attorney by profession, has been with Centra since 2016 and is currently the president and CEO of Piedmont Community Health Plan (a wholly-owned subsidiary of Centra).

LYNCHBURG, Va. Centra Health leaders now see a sign of hope in the ongoing effort to slow the spread of COVID-19. In a virtual press conference Wednesday, Centra Vice President of Medical Affairs Dr. Christopher Lewis said the number of COVID-19 patients hospitalized in its system has leveled off during the past few days. 40 people are hospitalized across Centra with COVID-19, and only 10 of them require treatment in an intensive care unit. Lewis said Centra made a big decision about its two COVID-19 ICU centers based on these numbers. We have to live with COVID, Lewis said.

LYNCHBURG, Va. Centra officials in Lynchburg are seeing a surge in coronavirus patients. Last week, they had 20 people on the COVID-19 floor at Centra Lynchburg General Hospital. There are 15 people in the hospital right now, eight of whom are in intensive care unit. Approved visitors as well as outpatients with scheduled appointments will be screened for symptoms and temperature prior to entry. Heres a breakdown of what that looks like: Obstetrical patient/Neonatal Nursery - One approved visitor Pediatric patient - One approved visitor will be permitted (parent or legal guardian) Comfort care / end of life care - One approved visitor Surgeries - One visitor for sedated patients who have cognitive impairments or pediatric patients Cognitive impairments - One approved visitor

LYNCHBURG, Va. – Centra says it’s ahead of the curve in preparing for the coronavirus. At a news conference Tuesday morning, Centra CEO Andy Mueller said there are 20 ICU beds for critical coronavirus patients and about 40 for non-critical patients. Centra is also working with the University of Virginia to do some coronavirus testing in an effort to speed up the process. The university can get test results back in 24 hours, according to Centra Chief Medical Officer Chris Thompson. As of Tuesday morning, Centra had tested about 300 people and results were still pending for about two-thirds of the tests.

Here's a look at some of the stories we'll be following today as they make headlines across the country and Southwest Virginia. The Roanoke Board of Zoning Appeals will discuss a new animal clinic in downtown. Angels of Assisi wants to build a facility there, which will house a vet clinic and animal shelter. Centra's new president will talk to the Lyncuburg business community today. Dr. Andy Mueller will share his vision for the regional healthcare system at the Lynchburg Regional Business Alliance's Business at Breakfast.

Dr. Andy Mueller is Centra's new president and CEO. He started last week. Copyright 2019 by WSLS 10 - All rights reserved.