NATCHEZ — Since the departure of Natchez Community Hospital’s CEO Tim Trottier earlier this month, the facility’s Chief Operating Officer John Lee has taken over as interim CEO.

“It’s been a very smooth transition,” Lee said.

Lee credited the ease in transition to his three years of previous work at the facility and having a strong knowledge of what it takes to keep the facility running.

Lee said Health Management Associates, which owns Natchez Community, has not announced any timeline for hiring a permanent CEO.

Easton Hospital, in Easton, Penn., announced in August that Trottier had accepted a position at that facility as CEO.

Trottier was at Natchez Community for four years.