PIKEVILLE, Ky. — After 56 years, Pikeville Medical Center announced this evening that Walter E. May is no longer president and CEO.

PMC announced the promotion of Donovan Blackburn to the position of Chief Executive Officer. A statement from the hospital said the Board of Directors is pleased to welcome Blackburn to his new senior leadership role and looks forward to furthering the hospital’s mission to provide “World-Class Quality Health Care in a Christian Environment.”

Blackburn was previously serving as the Assistant CEO. He also brings many years of managerial experience from his years as City Manager of the City of Pikeville.

PMC also announced that Ron Burchett has been elected as president of the Board of Directors and Dr. Alex Poulos has been elected Vice President of the Board. Both Burchett and Poulos are long-standing members of the board who have served in leadership positions during the hospital’s long period of growth. Joe Dean Anderson will continue to serve as Secretary.

The hospital expressed its deep appreciation for more than 56 years of service to the hospital by May.

May has not given any indication about his future plans, but said he hopes to make a statement soon concerning his future.

He did, however, reflect on his time with the hospital.

“Fifty-six years is a long time to work with any one organization,” May said. “I can honestly say I enjoyed every minute of it. I never once dreaded going to work.”