CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- Highland Hospital's chief executive officer is still recovering at an area hospital after he suffered a stroke on July 15.

David McWatters is "resting comfortably" during his "remarkable recovery," said hospital spokesman Jim Strawn. McWatters has stayed at a Charleston-area hospital -- which Strawn didn't identify -- since his stroke.

Highland Chairman Jim Dissen is acting as CEO while McWatters recovers. Dissen has served on the hospital's board for more than 20 years, Strawn said.

"Please join the Highland Hospital staff, friends and family in wishing him -- and praying for -- a speedy recovery, which he has been having," Strawn said Monday. "We miss him but we're moving along smoothly."

The new Highland Hospital, on 56th Street in Kanawha City, averages more than 60 patients per day in its 98-bed facility, Strawn said. The increase in the number of patients at Highland is positive news and the hospital is looking forward to securing appropriate staff, Strawn said.

The 73,000-square-foot hospital has 98 beds, with 20 for children, 20 for adolescents, 40 for adults and 18 for the psychiatric assessment center.

Highland Hospital provides behavioral health treatment for people in all of the state's 55 counties. The hospital began operating out of a home in 1955 and then moved into the former Boiarsky Hospital building in 1960. Construction on the hospital's new $29 million facility began in May 2011.

Reach Megan Workman at megan.work...@wvgazette.com or 304-348-5113