The number of candidates for the Heart of America Medical Center’s administrator position has been narrowed from 24 to three, and the search committee will conduct interviews this week for the finalists.

“(The committee) feels we had a number of good candidates and we’re moving closer to filling the position,’ said Wes Black, chairman of the nine-person search committee. “At this point we can’t release the names of the finalists due to confidentiality agreements, but all three have are highly-qualified.”

Black did say the three reside out of state, but in the Midwest. In fact, part of the criteria for applicants was to have Midwest roots. That was to ensure candidates were familiar with rural health care operations and its challenges.

This week’s interviews will include a tour of the HAMC as well as meeting staff and the current hospital board. “Part of the process is to make the candidates comfortable with the facility and community,’ Black said.

The committee’s goal is to select a person early this month and have the position filled by late summer of early fall.

Twenty-four applications were received and initially narrowed down to seven by the committee made up of hospital board members and HAMC employees. From the seven, three finalists were selected to be interviewed on site.

Current CEO Jerry Jurena, who is leaving to head the North Dakota Healthcare Association, has agreed to come in and work a couple days a week until a permanent replacement is hired.