CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (AP) – The trustees of Chattanooga's public hospital have chosen Kevin Spiegel as the new chief executive officer.

The Chattanooga Times Free Press reported the decision Monday night was reached in 16 minutes with no public discussion of the candidates for the job of running Erlanger Hospital. It capped a yearlong search.

Five of Erlanger's 10 board members voted for Spiegel, three dissented and one was absent, though she said in a letter to the board that Spiegel was her choice as CEO.

Spiegel has been the CEO of Methodist University Hospital in Memphis for the last five years.

The search became complicated when state legislators began pushing a bill to overhaul Erlanger's board of trustees. It has passed the House, but the Senate sponsor has not moved it.

Information from: Chattanooga Times Free Press, www.timesfreepress.com

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