Joseph Woodin, the former chief executive officer of Martha’s Vineyard Hospital who was abruptly fired last June, has been named chief executive officer of a community hospital in Homer, Alaska.

Mr. Woodin was hired by South Peninsula Hospital in Homer, a fishing town of about 5,000 people on the Kenai Peninsula. The town is 218 miles southwest of the state’s largest city, Anchorage.

Reached by phone on Friday, Mr. Woodin said he sees the new position as a good opportunity.

“I’m happy,” Mr. Woodin said. “You never know where life takes us, so I’m glad to accept the opportunity. I’m excited.”

He also said the town of Homer reminds him of Martha’s Vineyard.

“It’s certainly an interesting place, it’s absolutely beautiful,” Mr. Woodin said. “In the summertime it does actually fill with tourists who go there for excursions.”

Founded in 1956, Southern Peninsula hospital is similar in size to the Martha’s Vineyard Hospital, with 22 medical beds and 28 nursing home beds.

Tom Clark, chairman of the South Peninsula Hospital’s search committee and vice-president of the board of directors, said in a news release that Mr. Woodin was highly motivated and results-oriented and values community engagement. “During his four-day site visit, Mr. Woodin immediately connected with the community, the organization and the employees. We feel fortunate to have him as our next CEO,” he said in the release.

Mr. Woodin's sudden dismissal from the Martha’s Vineyard Hospital after 13 months on the job sparked a public outcry that continued to simmer throughout the summer and raised questions about the hospital’s community relations.

In January the hospital board of trustees named Denise Schepici as the new president and chief executive officer. Ms. Schepici is health care administrator with 30 years of experience in academic medical centers and community hospitals.