Scott & White Healthcare has selected Dr. Rob Watson as its new interim CEO for the Round Rock region effective April 30.

Watson, a surgeon, was one of the first doctors to start at Scott & White's Round Rock regional hospital in 2006. He left his previous position as chief medical officer of the Round Rock region to take the CEO role. Watson succeeds Ernie Bovio, who took a hospital leadership role outside of Texas, according to a news release.

Scott & White's Round Rock region includes northern Travis County and all of Williamson County. Scott & White Healthcare merged with Baylor Health Care System in 2013. The merger will not directly affect Watson's new role, an aid said.

Watson said several factors have recently caused declines in government reimbursement for health care procedures. A major challenge to emerge as a leader in the field will be further reducing cost of care, he said.

"While [lowering cost of care] is our biggest challenge, our integrated model makes this a tremendous opportunity to emerge as a leader in more effective and efficient models of health care delivery," Watson said.

Watson will need to meet that challenge while guiding Scott & White through a local leadership change.

"My goal at the CEO level is to provide the stability and ongoing leadership that will allow us to build on our growing reputation of high-quality, integrated health care," he said.

Watson received his medical degree from the University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, and surgical training at UT Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas.