PARKERSBURG – WVU Medicine Camden Clark Medical Center has named Duke Rupert its new chief operating officer.

Rupert began his tenure at Camden Clark on Oct. 28. He will be responsible for the development and execution of operational strategies and oversight of ancillary and support areas, including the Ohio Valley Health Care skilled nursing facility.

According to a release from the hospital, he will partner with leaders throughout the organization to drive initiatives, programs and services to enable Camden Clark to continue delivering its mission, strategies and goals.

“I’m very excited to join the team here at Camden Clark and be part of WVU Medicine, a nationally recognized leader in health care. My career has always been focused on the patients we serve and the employees and clinicians who dedicate their lives to caring for others. I firmly believe an organization that engages its employees will be successful across all its strategic objectives,” Rupert said. “I chose to come to WVU Medicine Camden Clark Medical Center because of the people I’ve met, the strategic direction of the entire organization and the opportunity to be part of improving the health of not only this region and those we serve, but across the state and nationally.”

Rupert brings nearly 30 years of executive leadership in health care to the position, most recently serving as the chief operating officer of hospital operations for the Allegheny Health Network in Pittsburgh, Pa. He has held several other executive positions in the Pittsburgh area at facilities including Forbes Hospital, West Penn Hospital and Allegheny General Hospital.

Prior to his experience as a health care executive, Rupert served in various positions as a physical therapist and leadership roles including director of rehabilitation at Allegheny General Hospital, among others.

“Duke’s career as a health care executive in the Pittsburgh area has spanned nearly 30 years, and we’re thrilled he has joined us in the Mid-Ohio Valley at Camden Clark,” said Sean Smith, WVU Medicine Camden Clark president and CEO. “He will serve as a key member of our senior leadership team, working closely with support, ancillary, while focusing on other areas including hospital throughput and service line development. We look forward to continuing to advance our mission while providing the highest quality care with Duke working alongside us in the role of chief operating officer.”

Rupert earned a master of business administration from Point Park University in Pittsburgh, in addition to a bachelor of science in physical therapy from Daemen College in Amherst, N.Y. He also possesses a West Penn Allegheny Health Network executive MBA certificate from the Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania.