Karen E. Olscamp, senior vice president and chief operating officer, was selected this month after an intensive, year-long national search.

But in announcing the change yesterday, the parent company of BWMC stopped short of handing her the job on a permanent basis. Instead the University of Maryland Medical System will wait on a final choice until it replaces its own retiring chief executive officer sometime next year.

Mr. Walker, chief executive at BWMC for 39 years, said Ms. Olscamp will likely keep the interim title for six months to a year. The hospital is expected to wrap up its multi-million dollar expansion next year.

"She certainly has tremendous knowledge of our organization, and the employees think highly of her," Mr. Walker said. "There is no doubt in my mind that she will do a tremendous job."

Ms. Olscamp, 48, has spent her entire career as a hospital administrator at BWMC.

"We have come so far over the past several years. The scope and the sophistication and the level of care we're now able to provide is so different than it was 20 years ago," said Ms. Olscamp. "My goal now is to take BWMC into the future."

Ms. Olscamp, a Davidsonville resident, began her career as a critical care nurse in Rochester, N.Y., after graduating from the University of Rochester in 1981. She received her master of health services administration from George Washington University in 1987.

After completing her master's degree residency program at what was then North Arundel Hospital, she was hired as assistant administrator.

She was promoted to vice president of operations in 1988, and named senior vice president and chief operating officer in 1997.

Working in hospital administration has allowed her to "touch people's lives on a broader basis," Ms. Olscamp said.

She pointed to BWMC's growth over the past two decades as evidence of its success. With 625 doctors and about 2,500 employees, it's a major employer in north county, she said.

The $117 million expansion at the hospital is being completed in phases and is expected to wrap up next summer. The Emergency Department's expansion was finished this weekend, and in January operations will begin in the new patient care tower.

By next year, BWMC will offer obstetrics services for the first time since 1968.

"It's a very exciting year for us," Ms. Olscamp said.

The University of Maryland Medical System launched a search for a new CEO shortly after Mr. Walker announced his retirement last year. He officially will step down Aug. 1.

Edmond F. Notebaert, UMMS president and CEO, will retire next month as well, and his successor will likely want to choose BWMC's permanent chief, said Allison Eatough, spokesman for the hospital in Glen Burnie.

Mr. Walker said UMMS received hundreds of resumes from all across the country for the CEO job, but fewer than a dozen candidates were interviewed including Ms. Olscamp.

"I'd hoped it would be her, but you never know," Mr. Walker said.

Ms. Olscamp said her long history with BWMC will be an asset in her new job.

"I know the organization. I know the office," she said. "I'm so excited to be selected for this role. BWMC has a great future."