Changes in the Norman Regional Health System executive level staff were announced earlier this week.

Norman Regional Health System spokesperson Kelly Wells said Ken Hopkins has been named the chief financial officer of NRHS.

Also, Greg Terrell, current senior vice president and chief operating officer, will assume the administrative oversight for Health Information Technology.

Wells said NRHS President and CEO David Whitaker announced the changes Tuesday.

"I'm proud these experienced professionals will be leading the Health System as we move forward with the new HealthPlex specialty hospital, Moore Medical Center and Porter Avenue campuses," Whitaker said. "I have every confidence that these changes will support the ongoing mission and strategic initiatives of the Health System. Our future is bright."

Wells said Hopkins also is vice-president of finance. He will assume the new position along with his current job duties.

Hopkins is not new to NRHS. During his tenure, he has had direct oversight of decision support, finance, and materials management departments.

Hopkins replaces former CFO Melvin Alexander.

Wells said Alexander resigned from NRHS in December to become corporate vice president, finance and treasury at SSM Health Care in St. Louis, Mo.

Hopkins joined Norman Regional from Memorial Hermann Health System in Houston, where he worked as the chief financial officer of the Continuing Care Corporation.

He is a certified public accountant and a graduate of Sam Houston State University. He obtained his masters of health services administration from the University of Michigan. Terrell filled a vacancy left by Ed Fisher.

Wells said Fisher left NRHS in late May. Fisher was named chief information officer at Systems Bridgeport Connecticut Facility in Bridgeport, Conn.

"I'm looking forward to working with a very talented and dedicated team of IT professionals whose skills are bringing electronic medical records, bar-code technology and other related information technology infrastructure to the Health System," Terrell said. "Right now our focus is directed to the HealthPlex specialty hospital and getting the cables, equipment and wiring in place to support a fully integrated IT program at the hospital on Tecumseh and I-35."