Kevin Mills replaces former CEO Janet Feeny, who departed ways with the health service in April. 

Ms Feeny was appointed to the role in November, 2017 and began work in January.

Mr Mills has been CEO of Edenhope and District Memorial Hospital for the last three years.

His move to the Yarriambiack shire will return him closer to the region where he grew up on his parents’ Kalkee Plains farm.

Related: Rural Northwest Health chief leaves health service

As a registered accountant, Mr Mills’ first executive position was as finance manager of Wimmera Uniting Care in Horsham.

Rural Northwest Health board chair Julia Hausler said Mr Mills had good connections within the Wimmera Southern Mallee Health Alliance and the Grampians Region Network.

“We are really happy with how the recruitment process went,” she said.

“We worked with a great recruitment agency which really understood the rural space. They understood the requirement for RNH to have a really solid CEO who understands rural health and the importance of being a good partner in rural communities.

“Kevin is a proven CEO with a good track record and we are really looking forward to working with him and keeping RNH strong into the future.”

Ms Hausler was also appreciative of the work from acting CEO Craig Wilding who will continue in his role until September 14.

Mr Mills said he was looking forward to engaging with team members and the RNH wider community to gain a far better understanding of how the organisation could meet the needs of the community.

“A greater understanding of the key aspects of community life that contribute to health and wellbeing will lead to local services that are designed with these drivers in mind,” he said.

“Having grown up in Kalkee, I love the region and my family is keen to get involved with the Yarriambiack shire community.

“We are especially looking forward to local sporting opportunities and community events.”

Mr Mills will start his role on October 1.