New London — James E. Mitchell, former Groton schools superintendent, has been named chairman of the board of directors of L+M Healthcare and Lawrence + Memorial Hospital, succeeding B. Michael Rauh.

Mitchell has served on the board since 2013, most recently as secretary.

“We are fortunate to have a leader like Jim Mitchell as our chairman,” said Patrick Green, president and chief executive officer of L+M Healthcare. “Jim has been an integral part of our board, and has been a tremendous asset as we have transformed the organization through our affiliation with Yale New Haven Health. I look forward to our continued partnership as we further our strategies to improve the health of the communities we serve.”

Mitchell served as Groton schools superintendent from 2001 to 2008, and spent more than 35 years working in the school system. He formerly served as an executive coach for newly hired superintendents through the Connecticut Association of Public School Superintendents.

He serves as president of the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Scholarship Trust Fund and is a past president of the Groton Rotary Club and a past trustee of the Connecticut Hospital Association.

“I also want to acknowledge and thank Michael Rauh for his efforts in guiding the hospital during a very complex and difficult time in the history of L+M Hospital and in healthcare,” Green added. “His leadership and support were invaluable.”

Rauh will serve as a member of the Yale New Haven Health board of trustees. He served on the L+M Hospital board since 2011 and the L+M Healthcare board since 2014.