Dr. Eric Fish has led Schneck Medical Center’s response to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, playing a major role in keeping the community informed on the virus’ impact.

Beginning Sept. 1, Fish will take on a new role of leading the entire hospital.

During a meeting Monday night, Rick Smith, chairman of the Seymour hospital’s board of trustees, named Fish president and chief executive officer succeeding Warren Forgey, who is retiring Aug. 31.

Warren, who has spent 28 years at Schneck, including five as president and CEO, announced his retirement in late March.

“We are so fortunate to have Dr. Fish lead Schneck Medical Center,” Smith said. “His talents, expertise and vision will ensure Schneck continues to grow, evolve and bring leading medicine to the communities we serve.”

Besides Jackson County, those communities include Jennings, Scott and Washington counties.

Fish’s leadership will help determine Schneck’s future during a critical time in health care, Smith said.

“Dr. Fish is the right leader to carry forward the aspirations of this organization,” Smith said.

Fish has more than 15 years of leadership experience at Schneck, including serving as medical director of Schneck Obstetrics and Gynecology, president of the Schneck medical staff, chairman of the board of managers for Inspire Health Partners, vice president of medical affairs and chief medical officer. He was appointed to his current position as executive vice president and chief operating officer in 2019.

He earned his medical degree at the Indiana University School of Medicine and completed his residency in obstetrics and gynecology at St. Vincent Hospital in Indianapolis. He joined the medical staff at Schneck in 2005 and founded Schneck Obstetrics and Gynecology in 2006.

“I know when I started here on the medical staff and even as far back as 1992 when I was working plant ops for the summer, I never dreamed I would be here,” he said. “I am extremely excited about this opportunity.”

He is board certified by the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology and a Fellow of the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology.

In 2013, he received his master’s degree in business administration from the University of Tennessee.

“I am honored and humbled by the confidence Schneck has placed in me to lead our organization into the future,” Fish said. “There are great challenges ahead for those of us in health care, and I welcome them.”

But he won’t face them alone, he said.

“Backed by the highly capable and dedicated team members of this organization and by our outstanding physicians, I look forward to continuing to build on the excellent foundation Warren has created in leading our efforts to improve the health of the communities we serve,” he said.

Forgey said he is pleased and proud that Fish will be his successor.

“He has the clinical and operational experience along with a deep appreciation for Schneck’s mission and vision,” Forgey said. “These skills and characteristics along with his keen insight into health care strategy and trends will help lead this organization into the future.”

Fish thanked Forgey for mentoring him over the years, giving him the confidence and ability to take on the responsibilities of the job.

“We have a wonderful organization, and we’ll continue to build on those strengths we have,” Fish said. “We’ll grow our markets and continue to be an employer of choice and continue to be the health care provider of our community and all the neighboring communities.”

Accepting the job led to a greater show of emotion than Fish realized he would have.

“I love this place, and I know everybody here does, as well,” he said.