LEXINGTON, Ky. – Joey Preast was recently named CEO of ARH Advanced Care, overseeing the operations of long-term acute care hospitals (LTACH) in South Williamson and Hazard, Ky.

Preast most recently served as the COO of Beckley ARH Hospital, and interim administrator of Tug Valley Regional Medical Center’s skilled nursing facility. Prior to that, he held a dual position as CEO of Summers County ARH Hospital and as an administrator at Beckley.

ARH President and CEO Hollie Harris, who also serves as Chair of the ARH Advanced Care Board of Directors, said Preast’s experience with ARH, as well as the decade he spent in nursing home administration prior to joining the ARH team, make him the perfect fit for the position.

“During his time at both Beckley and Summers ARH, Joey proved himself to be an exceptional leader,” she said. “He helped guide both facilities through periods of generational growth, while ensuring our patients received the highest level of care.

“That experience, coupled with his long-term care background, will be a tremendous asset as he leads ARH Advanced Care into the future.”

ARH’s LTACHs allow patients who require highly specialized care for more than 25 days, an opportunity to stay closer to home rather than traveling long distances to larger cities.

“It’s so important that patients in our areas have the chance to recover close to home where their families and friends can visit and provide them the support they need,” said Preast. “Our LTACH’s are a much-needed service and I’m excited and honored to have the opportunity to help advance patient care and serve the ARH mission, which is to improve the health and well-being of the people of central Appalachia.

Preast, a native of Fayetteville, W.Va., received his bachelor’s degree from Mountain State University and his master’s degree in healthcare administration from Marshall University.

He and his wife Kendra are the parents of sons Levi, 13, and Milo, 9, and daughter Noel, 7.