(KNZA)--An interim Hiawatha Community Hospital CEO has been appointed.

Hospital Board of Trustees President Greg Rodvelt announced Friday that John Broberg has been named to fill the position.

The official news came after recent weeks of speculation about whether Jeff Shelton - who has been CEO for the past 18 months - was still with the hospital.

According to a press release issued by the hospital Friday, Broberg has been involved in health care for 44-years, including 27-years as a senior leader, serving as CEO for three different hospitals.

After retiring from VIA Christi Hospital in Manhattan in 2016, Broberg started Broberg Consulting Group, LLC to provide executive coaching and interim CEO services.

Broberg served as interim CEO at Hiawatha hospital from October 2016 thru July 2017.

His latest stint as interim CEO is the fifth in his career.

The release says Broberg “knows transitions of the CEO are difficult for every organization, and is committed to working with the hospital and the community to provide stability for the hospital.”

According to the release, Broberg “has provided leadership to successfully implement culture changing initiatives in four different organizations that resulted in improvement in employee engagement, operational and financial performance.”

On Tuesday, Broberg attended the hospital Board of Trustees meeting to discuss his interim strategy.