Applications for the Heart of America Medical Center’s CEO position have been received, and a search committee will begin reviewing them this week, moving a step closer to naming a new administrator.

The plan is for interviews to begin later this month, with a candidate selected shortly thereafter, according to Sandy Hageness, HAMC administrative assistant.

Jerry Jurena, current HAMC CEO, is under contract through the end of the month but will stay on and work one day a week to help with the medical center’s transition to another administrator, Hagness said.

Jurena is leaving to become president of the North Dakota Healthcare Association. He has been at the HAMC for the past 15 years and has helped oversee many changes at the facility.