NASHUA - The president and CEO of St. Joseph Hospital in Nashua has resigned from his position.

David Ross, who has been president of the hospital since April of 2010, is leaving his position and moving to Missouri for personal family matters, according to a release.

“On behalf of the St. Joseph Hospital board of directors, we thank David for his time and successes at St. Joseph Hospital and wish him well,” said Louise Trottier, chairman of the board of directors. “We will keep David and his family in our prayers.”

According to a statement provided by the hospital, Ross is leaving his post immediately, which will be temporarily filled by interim CEO James Hamill, who previously served as president and CEO of Meritus Health from 2000-2011.

“Jim Hamill is a trusted colleague and accomplished health care leader,” said David Lincoln, president and CEO of Covenant Health System, the parent company of St. Joseph Hospital.

Lincoln said that Hamill has led some of the most successful hospitals and health systems in Illinois, Iowa and Maryland. Under Hamill’s leadership, Meritus Health was among the first truly clinically integrated health care systems recognized by the Federal Trade Commission, the release said.

In a statement, Hamill said he is pleased to be able to serve as interim president and CEO at St. Joe’s.

“St. Joseph Hospital is a strong organization with an excellent medical staff. I am thrilled to be able to join such a great organization during such an exciting time in health care,” Hamill commented.

He has a degree in political science from Georgetown University and a master of hospital administration from Georgia State University, according to information provided by the hospital.

The organization’s board of directors will begin a nationwide search for a permanent replacement in the coming weeks, according to the release.

St. Joe’s is a 208-bed acute care community hospital and trauma center with nearly 2,000 employees, according to its website.