LEWISTON — Central Maine Healthcare, one of the state’s largest health care systems, announced Friday that its board appointed Steve Littleson as president and CEO.

Littleson had been serving as the interim president and CEO since July. He took over from Jeff Brickman, the embattled former executive, who said in April that he would retire this year. Brickman continues to serve as an adviser to the board.

Littleson joined CMH in May 2020 as president of Central Maine Medical Center and later became senior vice president of operations for CMH. Prior to joining CMH, he was the regional president of Jefferson Health in Philadelphia and chief operating officer and president of the hospitals division for Hackensack Meridian Health in New Jersey.

The announcement comes as CMMC, one of the system’s three hospitals and the largest in the region, faces staffing shortages that forced the hospital to temporarily suspend admissions for pediatric and trauma patients and to close its neonatal intensive care unit later this month.

More than 80 staff members systemwide have resigned over the requirement that health care workers get vaccinated against COVID-19. Littleson said earlier this week that he is lobbying the state to consider a testing alternative to vaccinations, or to extend the deadline again.

“Steve is a seasoned leader with an unrelenting drive to provide the best possible care to our communities and the strategic mindset to match that pursuit,” board Chairperson Devore Culver said in a statement.

Littleson holds a bachelor’s degree from Gettysburg College, a master’s in health administration from George Washington University and a doctorate in business administration from Walden University.

“I am honored to be named to this position and to be entrusted to lead the exceptional team members who make Central Maine Healthcare a remarkable organization,” he said in a statement. “I am inspired by working alongside team members who live the mission of providing the best care to each one of our patients every day. I can’t wait to see how much we’ll accomplish together.”

Littleson lives in Raymond with his wife, Debra.

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