Tom Gessel will take over as Asante president and CEO Sept. 18.

Asante, a major Southern Oregon health provider, has hired a new president and chief executive officer.

Tom Gessel, the former group president of Centura Health — a nonprofit with hospitals in Utah, Colorado and Kansas — will step into the position Sept. 18, Asante announced Monday.

“Asante’s long-standing service to the communities of Southern Oregon, and national recognition and awards for the highest quality of care, are what drew me into discussions about this opportunity,” Gessel said in a release. “I am motivated and inspired to be a part of a team of passionate caregivers dedicated to serving others.”

The Asante health system includes three hospital sites — Rogue Regional Medical Center in Medford, Ashland Community Hospital, and Three Rivers Medical Center in Grants Pass — as well as associated clinics and physician partnership groups.

Gessel’s background in health administration also includes working for health care systems in Kentucky, according to his LinkedIn profile.

Peter Angstadt, Asante’s board chair, said in the release that Gessel’s “impressive and extensive health care experience and his open, personable and enthusiastic leadership style made him our top choice.”

Gessel’s Asante predecessor, Scott Kelly, retired for health reasons earlier this year after a months-long leave of absence. Roy Vinyard has served as interim president and CEO since October.

Vinyard said in the release that Gessel’s style “aligns well with Asante’s values, and he supports an organization-wide culture of teamwork and collaboration.”

Angstadt said in an interview that Gessel, like Kelly and Vinyard, were interested in “doing the best for the citizens of the community. That’s why Asante is here.”