Jason E. Cobb has been named Chief Executive Officer of Rapides Healthcare System and Rapides Regional Medical Center.

Cobb comes to Rapides Regional from Lakeview Regional Medical Center in Covington, where he has served as CEO since May 2007. Cobb replaces David Williams, who is now the CEO of Centerpoint Medical Center in the Kansas City area.

“I’m honored to join Rapides Regional, which is known throughout Louisiana for its outstanding level of healthcare,” said Cobb. “I’m very pleased to continue the works of an extraordinary healthcare team with a reputation for providing high quality care and superior outcomes for their patients.”

Under Cobb’s recent guidance, Lakeview was named a Top Performance Hospital by The Joint Commission, was ranked No. 1 for Outpatient Satisfaction and developed both a Heart Center and Surgical Institute.

Cobb has spent the majority of his career at healthcare facilities in Louisiana, working as Administrator/CEO of Willis-Knighton Pierremont Hospital in Shreveport and Vice President of Operations at Tulane University Hospital and Clinic in New Orleans, in addition to Lakeview Regional Medical Center.

“The CEO Search Committee is pleased with the caliber of Jason’s experience and vision for Rapides Regional Medical Center’s future,” said Joe Rosier, chairman of Rapides Healthcare System. “Jason’s experience in healthcare is highlighted with significant achievements in the area of patient and employee satisfaction, as well as service line growth and physician relations.”

Cobb also has worked at hospitals in Houston, where he served as Chief Operating Officer of West Houston Medical Center and Sugar Land Medical Center, and St. Louis, and is active in the community.

He holds a B.S. degree in Business Administration from the University of Arkansas, a Master’s degree of Business Administration from Texas A&M and a Master’s degree of Health Administration from Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis.

“I’m excited about coming to a community that reminds me of where I grew up,” said Cobb. “I’ve long admired the growth of Rapides Regional, and I look forward to making a lasting contribution to this facility, its staff, our patients and the community as a whole.”

Cobb’s first day at Rapides is Jan. 7.