The board of directors of North Hawaii Community Hospital is hiring John White, chief executive officer of Samaritan Healthcare in Washington State, as its new chief executive.

White will assume duties at the 40-bed hospital in Waimea on April 15. White joined Samaritan in 2004 and is credited with helping the 50-bed hospital achieve better quality ratings and financial results, North Hawaii Community Hospital said.

The hospital said White's selection was unanimously endorsed by its board. He will take over from Ron Vigus, who has served as interim chief executive at the facility since July 2008.