FAYETTEVILLE - On March 1, Birch G. Wright, MPA will assume the role of Chief Operating Officer (COO) and Hospital Administrator of Washington Regional Medical Center according to Larry Shackelford, President and CEO of Washington Regional Medical System.

Wright will be responsible for hospital operations and strategic business development, providing day-to-day leadership that is aligned with the mission and core values of the organization. Since 2018, Wright has served as Associate Medical Director and COO of the Veterans Healthcare System of the Ozarks. He previously held various leadership roles within the VA Healthcare System including Business and Financial Operations Director and Chief Financial Officer.

Wright earned a Bachelor of Arts degree with a minor in Social Work from the University of Arkansas in 1998 and a Master of Public Administration with an emphasis in Healthcare Administration from the University of Arkansas in 2001.

He will replace Mark Bever, who is expected to retire in April after more than 15 years of service at Washington Regional.