Del Puerto Health Care District’s board of trustees has narrowed a pool of 50 applications to three in its search for a permanent CEO, trustees announced at their June 27 meeting.

Initially, 17 applicants were considered for the position based on the number of years they have worked in the health industry and their past jobs and education, among other criteria. A board subcommittee selected the top three applicants, whom the board will interview during a July 16 closed session.

“We’re looking for person who has had health care experience, as well as a financial background,” said board president Anne Stokman by phone this week.

Chad Vargas moved to Southern California in April after holding the district’s top spot for 10 months, and the district welcomed interim CEO Richard Nakamura in mid-May.

Vargas, a former dental site administrator for Golden Valley Health Centers, worked with the board to open the 11,000-square foot Del Puerto Health Center in Keystone Pacific Business Park, where family-practice doctors and a Stanislaus Cardiology office see patients.

Nakamura has an extensive résumé in the health industry that includes recent work for Community Solutions in Morgan Hill and California Partnership To End Domestic Violence in Sacramento. A native of Los Angeles, Nakamura lives in Benicia.

Del Puerto Health Care District was formed to provide care to residents of the West Side of Stanislaus County after Del Puerto Hospital closed in 1998. The district runs Del Puerto Health Center, 1700 Keystone Pacific Parkway, and Patterson District Ambulance Co., 875 E St.

• Contact Maddy Houk at 892-6187, ext. 22, or maddy@pattersonirrigator.com.