Mike Browder is no longer interim CEO of Essent Healthcare.

The company's board of directors announced this morning that Browder, who joined Essent as CFO in 2001, will continue to lead the hospital operator as he has since taking over on temporary basis after founder Hud Connery stepped down last November.

"No one understands Essent or its hospitals better than Mike," said Chairman Bryan Cressey. "He shares our vision of what our hospitals can be and what this company can become."

Before joining Essent, Browder, a graduate of the University of Georgia, worked in financial roles at TMC Healthcare and Health Management Associates.