BUCKHANNON — The appointment of a new hospital leader has been announced in Upshur County.

WVU Medicine St. Joseph’s Hospital has announced the appointment of John Forester as Interim President and Chief Executive Officer, effective immediately.

Forester assumes the role following the announcement of Skip Gjolberg’s departure, as WVU Medicine and the St. Joseph’s Hospital Board of Trustees begin the search process for the hospital’s next permanent President and CEO.

“It is a privilege to oversee St. Joseph’s Hospital during this important transition,” Forester said. “I want to thank Skip Gjolberg for his leadership and dedication to the hospital and wish him well in his next chapter. I look forward to getting to know our teams and working together to continue providing high-quality care to our patients and communities.”

Before stepping down, Gjolberg had been in his role at St. Joseph’s for nearly 10 years, after taking over in April 2016.

Forester brings with him more than three decades of healthcare leadership experience, including 18 years within the West Virginia United Health System and WVU Medicine. Most recently, he served as Interim President and CEO for both Summersville Regional Medical Center and Braxton County Memorial Hospital from May 2024 through April 2025.

Throughout his career, Forester has held senior leadership roles such as Vice President of Physician Services at United Hospital Center and the WVU Health System, as well as Chief Executive Officer of United Physicians Care.

In these roles, Forester provided operational oversight and strategic direction for numerous family medicine and specialty practice locations across North Central and Central West Virginia, supporting physician enterprise growth and the expansion of clinical services across multiple WVU Medicine hospitals and communities.

Forester is a West Virginia native who began his healthcare career in 1992 as a billing clerk at Sistersville General Hospital, later becoming business office manager and Chief Financial Officer. Prior to joining WVU Medicine, he also held leadership positions with HealthSouth Corporation, including CEO roles at hospital locations in Morgantown and Huntington.

Forester and his wife reside in Morgantown and have three daughters and four grandchildren. He is passionate about serving West Virginians and maintaining strong, community-focused healthcare services across the state, according to a hospital press release.

WVU Medicine will continue its national search for a permanent President and CEO while Forester leads hospital operations and supports ongoing initiatives at St. Joseph’s, the release added.