NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) - Rob Cotterman has been appointed interim director of the East Tennessee Behavioral Health Transformation Project.

The announcement was made this week by the commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services.

The transformation project was created earlier this year after the closing of Lakeshore Mental Health Institute in Knoxville.

Project staff members work closely with community outpatient providers and private inpatient psychiatric providers to ensure quality health care in the area.

Cotterman took over for Bob Micinski, who was recently named interim chief officer at Middle Tennessee Mental Health Institute.

Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.