The hospital board of directors has named Clarence Silvia president and chief executive officer of The Hospital of Central Connecticut and president of the Central Connecticut Health Alliance, the hospital’s parent organization, effective immediately.

Silvia, 54, most recently was senior vice president and chief operating officer for CCHA and the hospital. Prior to this, Silvia was president and CEO of Bradley Memorial Hospital, a post he assumed in 1993, after serving as the hospital’s executive vice president for seven years. A Connecticut native, Silvia is a Phi Beta Kappa graduate of the University of Connecticut, where he also earned his MBA, with a concentration in Health Systems.

“It gives me great pleasure to announce Mr. Silvia’s appointment as our new CEO,” said John Manning, chairman of the hospital’s board of directors, which approved the appointment Thursday evening. “Mr. Silvia’s long and distinguished career with our organization makes him uniquely qualified to guide the hospital. As the former president and CEO of Bradley Memorial Hospital, Mr. Silvia played a key leadership role in facilitating both the development of the Central Connecticut Health Alliance in 1995 and the merger of Bradley Memorial and New Britain General Hospitals, resulting in the formation of The Hospital of Central Connecticut in 2006. The appointment of an internal candidate like Mr. Silvia, who has extensive knowledge of all facets of our hospital and healthcare system — including our caring and dedicated staff — will serve to ensure a smooth and seamless transition of our executive leadership team.”

Silvia said he was looking forward to his new position.

“It is an honor and a privilege to have been selected as president and CEO of The Hospital of Central Connecticut,” Silvia said. “Our hospital has incredibly talented staff and physicians; strong levels of support from dedicated volunteers and donors; and a commitment to meet the healthcare needs of our community that has not diminished in more than a century. I look forward to continuing those traditions far into the future as we further our commitment to provide sophisticated, compassionate healthcare services to the residents of Central Connecticut.”

Silvia replaces Laurence A. Tanner, the organization’s leader since 1987. Tanner is stepping down as president and CEO of the hospital in preparation for retirement. Tanner, however, remains the chief executive of the Central Connecticut Health Alliance through June to assist with the regulatory phase of the proposed affiliation of CCHA with the Hartford HealthCare Corporation, the parent organization of Hartford Hospital. On July 1 Silvia will become CEO of CCHA, where he has also been named president.

Silvia and his wife Joan live in Manchester with their three children.