After a lengthy process and interviews with candidates from all over, it took just a few minutes to approve the new Powell Valley Healthcare CEO, who has been working just one office away from the soon-to-be-retired CEO.

PVHC Chief Financial Officer Joy Coulston was chosen by the majority as the next CEO by the hospital board of directors at a special meeting Wednesday evening.

Board chair R.J. Kost said her 17 years of experience in health care pushed her to the top of the pile in the third round of interviewing. She had also applied in the initial round and said she felt she was ready to do the job, especially with a “wonderful” leadership team to work with.

“We went through the interviews and the selection committee liked her,” Kost said. “It was a long process with some very good interviews with some very good people.”

Coulston will officially start as the CEO July 10, at which point CEO Terry Odom will switch to the role of mentor on hourly pay working as needed.

“We are not trying to rush things as we want a smooth transition and we want to do our best to make sure the transition is successful,” Kost said. “Terry and Joy have worked together for a number of years so the amount of knowledge Joy has gained is a great base for her to move forward from. She is not Terry and will do things the way she feels are best for PVHC but the base knowledge she has will provide her great information as to the history as she move us forward.”

Coulston will actually be the first hospital CEO hired by Billings Clinic, which PVHC pays a fee to in return.

See a future paper for a profile on Coulston.