It may be well after the new year before Natchez Regional&160;Medical Center finds a permanent chief executive officer, hospital officials said Friday.

After a round of three interviews three weeks ago, the NRMC board of trustees have made an offer to one of the three candidates, said board member Sammy Porter.

&uot;But, there has been no official word yet&uot; on the response to that offer, he said.

Three different candidates were interviewed on Nov. 30 and Dec. 1 and 2 and were ranked in order of preference, an offer going to the number one candidate, he said.

&uot;The decision was unanimous on the part of the board and staff,&uot; he said.

Identities of the CEO candidates have been kept confidential at the request of the candidates who occupy positions at other southeastern hospitals.

In November, hospital officials believed they would have a permanent chief executive officer in place as the new year began, but that timeline may be pushed back.

&uot;Our candidate had some other interviews,&uot; Porter said, adding that it may be well after the first of the year before a new chief executive officer takes over at NRMC.

Interim CEO Karen Fiducia will continue in her position at the hospital until a replacement is found.

Shea Davis, Director of Corporate Communications at Quorum Health Group which manages the hospital, said Quorum doesn’t anticipate a decision on the new NRMC&160;chief until after the first of the year.

&uot;We haven’t had an offer to a candidate yet that works,&uot; Davis said.