Anthony Zelenka, an executive with Washington (Pa.) Hospital, has been named the new chief executive officer for United Community Hospital, Pine Township, a spokesman for the non-profit health care provider said Friday.

Zelenka had served as vice president of clinical support and plant operations at Washington Hospital and also was responsible for its transitional care unit. He replaces John Lewis at UCH who left for a position at Armstrong Hospital in Kittanning, Pa.

After applying for the same UCH position six years ago, Zelenka eventually withdrew his name from contention for family reasons, said Tim Bonner, UCH board chairman.

"On this occasion we sought him out and found him to be an even stronger candidate this time,'' Bonner said. "Washington Hospital has 2,000 employees and he brings a lot of strengths in different areas that interest us.''

UCH's board has several programs it hopes to create and is looking forward to working with Zelenka to implement those over the next six months, Bonner said. He declined to identify those projects.

Zelenka holds a bachelor's degree from Marietta (Ohio) College and later earned a master's degree in health administration from Ohio State University. He is certified by OSU's executive program in health care financial management and also is a fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives.

He also holds a Pennsylvania nursing home administrator license and will also administer UCH's transitional care center.

Zelenka and his wife, Chris, have two daughters.

Employing nearly 400, UCH serves eastern Mercer County, western Venango County and northern Butler County.