Her elevation from the deputy position was confirmed this week by Victorian health minister JIll Hennessy.

Mr Lieberman has stepped aside after three years as chairman, but will remain on the board.

Board member Allison Jenvey has resigned her position to concentrate her energies on the chairwoman position with Wodonga TAFE.

Her replacement on the AWH board is expected to be confirmed by the Victorian Government within a month.

Mrs Melville was an inaugural AWH board member when the cross-border health service was launched in 2009.

“It’s an honour to be appointed as chair of the board, particularly as AWH heads in to an exciting infrastructure development phase with the construction of the catheter lab, the commencement of planning for the new emergency department at Albury and the ongoing planning for the mind and brain centre,” she said.

The cardiac catheter lab was an election promise made by the Coalition in the lead up to the 2013 election.

The Mercy Hospital has firmed as the site for the mind and brain centre after being in limbo since funding was announced in 2014.

The three projects have a combined value of close to $40 million with the emergency department expansion, funded by the NSW Government, alone to cost $30 million.

Mrs Melville paid tribute to Mr Lieberman, who replaced inaugural AWH chairman, the late Ulf Ericsson, who died earlier this year.

“Lou’s drive and commitment to providing the best possible health service for our community has been inspirational," Mrs Melville said.

"I am so pleased he is remaining on the board to continue to provide his wisdom and guidance.”

Mrs Melville is a former chief executive of Bogong Regional GP Training Network and also had the same role with Gateway Community Health Service.

Julia Coyle is the only other director remaining since AWH started.