Sierra Vista Regional Medical Center in San Luis Obispo has named Joseph DeSchryver as its chief executive, effective Dec. 29, the hospital announced last week. He replaces Candace Markwith, who retired after almost nine years at the acute-care facility.

DeSchryver previously served for eight years as Sierra Vista’s chief operating officer, overseeing the hospital’s day-to-day operations and ancillary departments such as pathology, radiology and pharmacy operations. He also oversaw more than $40 million in construction and the successful implementation of SLO’s first trauma center.

DeSchryver relocated to Sierra Vista after spending five years in Florida, where he was the chief operating officer at the West Boca Medical Center, a 185-bed acute-care facility in Boca Raton. Prior to working at West Boca Medical Center, DeSchryver worked for Tenet South Florida HealthSystems in Ft. Lauderdale.

DeSchryver earned a bachelor’s degree in public administration with a concentration in health policy from USC. He received a master’s degree in health services administration from Arizona State University, where he also earned an MBA. He was honored as a 40 Under 40 by the Pacific Coast Business Times in 2009. DeSchryver is a member of many local charitable and service organizations including Rotary Club of San Luis Obispo de Tolosa.

Markwith, who had been head of the 164-bed hospital since March 2005, left the position in September.

With nearly 800 employees, Sierra Vista Regional Medical Center is the largest private employer in the city of San Luis Obispo and the second largest private employer in SLO County.