The Board of Directors of Warren General Hospital has announced the appointment of Richard L. Allen as the hospital’s Chief Executive Officer effective Dec. 8.

Allen, a native of Warren, has served in executive leadership roles at independent community hospitals in the Pittsburgh area for 30 years.

During this time Allen served as Senior Vice President and Vice President at The Forbes Health System, St. Clair Hospital and the Butler Health System. He also formed his own successful physician consulting business (ESOX Physician Advisors) and managed the design, construction and operation of multiple hospitals and healthcare facilities around the world while serving as Vice President and Director, Global Healthcare Services at dck worldwide, LLC.

A 1979 graduate of Warren Area High School, Allen earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Health Science from Slippery Rock University and a Master’s degree in Health Administration from the University of Pittsburgh.

“I am humbled and very excited to return to Warren and join the dedicated team of healthcare professionals at Warren General Hospital. I believe in the future of Warren General Hospital, the employees and volunteers, our partner physicians and the Warren community” said Allen.

Carmen Ferranto, president of the Warren General Hospital Board of Directors, said, “Rick brings a wealth of hospital leadership and strategic business development experience to Warren General Hospital. His long tenure with highly successful independent community hospitals will be an asset to us as well as his physician integration and partnership skills.”

Tim Bevevino, chairman of the board’s CEO Search Committee, added, “We like Rick’s inclusive and team approach to management. We believe this will support long-term success for the hospital as all employees and physicians play an important role in delivering quality healthcare.”

“Warren General Hospital and the partner physicians have a long history of exceptional healthcare delivery to the residents of Warren County and beyond. It is my goal to build on this tradition of excellence towards a vision of a high quality, service oriented independent community hospital a world class community hospital” added Allen.

Allen succeeds former CEO John Papalia, whose contract was not renewed by the hospital’s board of directors in July. Since then, Papalia has been named CEO of HealthSouth Rehabilitation Hospital of Erie.