Mark Wurzel, a doctor at Powell Valley Healthcare, was appointed Monday to serve as a new trustee on the Northwest College Board of Trustees. 

Following an executive session, the NWC board appointed Wurzel to fill the vacant board seat formerly held by Jim Vogt, who died last month.

Vogt would have served through December 2018, but with his death, the seat will go up for election again in November 2016 for the remainder of that term.

“I was happy to be selected,” Wurzel said Wednesday. “I’m looking forward to serving on the board. ... I’ve felt that we had kind of the crown jewel of our community college system here in Powell. It brings many facets to our community. ... I’d like to not only keep it the jewel that it is, but also be on the team that tries to improve it.”

NWC President Stefani Hicswa said she was excited about Wurzel’s appointment.

“I think he will be a great addition to the board. I am looking forward to working with him,” she said.

Wurzel, who formerly served as president of the Powell Valley Healthcare board, said he had considered running for election to the college board before, “but with my other board duties, I thought I couldn’t do it justice.”

He resigned from the PVHC board in December.

“It is unfortunate that Jim passed on, but the opportunity presented itself and I thought, ‘Why not?’” he said.

Wurzel said he understands the difference between governance and administration when looking at the big picture, and he brings “a working knowledge of open meeting laws and other things that are appropriate to being a functional board member.”

Wurzel said his medical background and experience can be an asset to the college, particularly in regard to the NWC nursing program.

In addition, “We have a longstanding relationship between the two facilities (the college and Powell Valley Healthcare) with trying to be cooperative with each other and making the community a better place.”