NATCHEZ — Natchez Regional Medical Center’s chief executive officer will step down at the end of the day today.

CEO Bill Heburn’s three-year contract expires today. A hospital spokesperson said NRMC anticipates announcing his replacement at a later time.

The chairman of NRMC’s board of trustees, the Rev. Leroy White, said Heburn can be credited with helping the hospital move out of its 2008 bankruptcy ahead of schedule.

“Bill brought a wealth of health care knowledge and expertise to our hospital, and we are grateful for the leadership he provided us these past few years,” White said.

Heburn initially came to Natchez in the 1970s to work at Humana Hospital Natchez — now Natchez Community Hospital — and he said the three-year return has been a pleasure.

“Natchez will always have a special place in my heart as one of the most charming and unique cities I have had the pleasure of working in during my 42-plus years in healthcare,” he said.  “I wish nothing but the best for the community, and I look forward to seeing what the future holds for Natchez and its citizens.”

Though the hospital has not officially confirmed a replacement for Heburn, the former CEO of Natchez Community Hospital and Riverland Medical Center, Donny Rentfro, currently serves as the hospital’s chief administrative officer.

Heburn’s replacement may possibly be the last CEO appointed by the NRMC board. The county-owned hospital is being marketed for sale amid concerns from the hospital board and administration that the implementation of the Affordable Care Act will make operating an independent, rural hospital increasingly difficult.

Healthcare Management Partners has been hired to market the hospital, and HMP CEO Scott Philliips said last week two hospitals from a limited pool of non-profit health care systems remain in negotiations for the base bid, which will determine the ultimate selling price for NRMC, and two other hospitals have expressed interest in participating in the sale process when the hospital is placed on the open market.