RIPLEY, W.Va. — For the first time in over a decade, there will be a new leader of the WVU Medicine Jackson General Hospital in Ripley.
Candace Miller, of Mason County, has been named the newest president and CEO of the hospital after Stephanie McCoy, who held the position for 13 years, announced her retirement.
Miller earned her Bachelor’s degree in healthcare administration from Marshall University and then received her Master of Business Administration and an additional graduate-level certificate in business administration from Colorado Technical University.
Miller comes back to her home state after last working for OhioHealth in Columbus, Ohio, where she served in a host of leadership roles including corporate vice president. Before moving up to Columbus, Miller served in multiple roles for OhioHealth’s O’Bleness Hospital in Athens, Ohio.
Miller said her long list of different titles has helped make up how she is as a professional and leader.
“If you look across my resume, it is a zig-zaggy line of a lot of different things, and I think that really makes up the bulk of my career,” Miller said to Metro News affiliate WMOV. “I’ve been open to learning and understanding and growing.”
When talking about the transition, Miller said a driving force in accepting the new position was to return home.
“A strong desire for mine has been to be able to come home essentially, and that’s what this has felt like,” Miller said.
Miller also said she has priority to serve her community and help the people in her region.
“From a personal perspective, I have strong ties to my community,” Miller said. “When I say, ‘my community,’ that’s this region, this area, and so, being able to work and serve the people that I live with is really important to me.”
Miller will have the chance to help advance Jackson General, who just the ribbon for a $35 million patient-care wing three weeks ago.
Miller says despite the small nature of the complex, she views Jackson General Hospital as a well-kept secret in West Virginia.
“Jackson General Hospital can be a best-kept secret,” Miller said. “Part of what I want to help do is help spread that word, that, hey folks, in your back door, you’ve got a state-of-the-art, excellent care facility that’s ten-fifteen miles from your house.”
Miller will take over duties at Jackson General Hospital on July 15. She will be reporting to WVU Medicine Thomas Hospitals President and CEO Greg Rosencrance.