LEWISTON — St. Mary’s Health System has a new leader. 

Christopher Chekouras, who is a health system vice president in New Jersey, has been named the next president and CEO of St. Mary’s, which includes St. Mary’s Regional Medical Center in Lewiston.

Chekouras replaces outgoing president and CEO Lee Myles, who will retire in October.

“(Chekouras) was an outstanding choice in our mind, not only because of his background, but also his proven history of achieving results through effective collaboration, transparent communication and personal accountability,” St. Mary’s board Chairman Craig Gunderson in a statement released Wednesday.

“Even better, he shares St. Mary’s values,” Gunderson said. “We think Chris is a great fit.”

Chekouras will start Oct. 5.

Chekouras is senior vice president of post-acute and community-based services at Virtua, a southern New Jersey health care system with three hospitals.