Lauren Dudley. Courtesy of HCA.

LewisGale Hospital Montgomery has hired Lauren Dudley as chief executive officer for the 146-bed medical and surgical facility, according to a release from the hospital. Dudley succeeds Alan Fabian, who was recently appointed LewisGale Regional Health System market president.

Dudley has 14 years experience as a health care executive with both large and small hospitals within HCA Healthcare. Currently, Dudley serves as chief operating officer for HCA Florida Lawnwood Hospital, where she has overseen facility construction projects totaling more than $120 million of capital funding for facility expansions.

Dudley also she served on the executive committee and board of directors on the Economic Development Council of St. Lucie County, Florida. Additionally, she is an alumni of HCA Healthcare’s Executive Development Program and has served as keynote speaker for a variety of healthcare summits.

Dudley earned her bachelor’s degree in business administration and marketing from Appalachian State University and her master’s degree in business administration from the University of North Carolina.