VALDOSTA — Chief Executive Officer Ray Snead is leaving South Georgia Medical Center.

After a closed-door meeting that lasted more than two hours Monday evening, Snead and the Hospital Authority of Valdosta-Lowndes County, that governs SGMC, announced what they called “mutual separation arrangements,” resulting in Snead’s resignation.

Snead’s resignation is effective immediately.

Chief Operating Officer Heath Evans will step in as interim chief executive officer effective Tuesday.