NORWICH, N.Y. — UHS Chenango Memorial Hospital will soon welcome a new president and CEO as Dr. Drake M. Lamen announced he will retire in mid-April.

Cecil M. Miller, III, will succeed him in the role.

“Drake is retiring after a long and meaningful career,” Joe Stagliano, chair of the UHS Chenango Memorial board of directors, said of Lamen, who spent 18 years leading the hospital. “He has accomplished much during his tenure here and is leaving our hospital well positioned for the future.”

Under Lamen’s leadership, the hospital invested more than $110 million in its facility over the past decade, UHS President/CEO John Carrigg noted. A large portion of those investments were made under the umbrella of the Chenango Medical Neighborhood Plan — a multi-phase plan Lamen spearheaded to transform the 114-year-old hospital’s delivery of care to the community.

“His vision has transformed this hospital from one in dire financial straits with aging infrastructure into a financially sustainable organization with flexible, modern spaces ready to meet the current and future needs of this community,” Carrigg said. “We wish him well as he transitions into his well-deserved retirement.”

UHS Chenango began the search for his replacement last summer after Lamen shared his intention to retire. The selection process involved numerous stakeholders including the board of directors, senior staff, medical staff, and UHS system leaders.

UHS selected Miller from a pool of applicants from around the country, noting he is a good fit for both the organization’s culture as well as the community.

Miller joins UHS from UPMC Chautaqua, a 288-bed community hospital in western New York, where he served as the VP of operations since 2013.

“Throughout his career, Cecil has focused on elevating access and engagement, promoting patient-centered care, and setting high standards for both quality and safety, all while achieving growth and strong financial results even during the pandemic,” UHS COO Kay Boland said.

Miller plans to relocate to the Norwich area with his wife, Lisa. According to his LinkedIn profile, Miller holds a bachelor’s degree in hospitality from Syracuse University and a master’s degree in health and health-care administration and management from University of Maryland University College.

“We believe Cecil’s commitment to community-focused care within a larger health-care system, his collaborative leadership style, and his level of engagement with staff and community will make him an excellent fit for this key executive leadership role,” Stagliano said.

UHS Chenango Memorial Hospital is a member of United Health Services (UHS), a 916-bed hospital and health-care system serving the greater Binghamton region from more than 40 locations.