NATION

Hospital Corp. of America announced that President Thomas F. Frist Jr. will become chairman while continuing as chief executive of the nation’s largest for-profit hospital chain.

He succeeds Donald S. MacNaughton, who will remain chairman of the executive committee.

R. Clayton McWhorter, an executive vice president, will become president and chief operating officer, a new title, and David G. Williamson, another executive vice president, will become vice chairman.

The company did not disclose reasons for the management changes. Nashville, Tenn.-based HCA was spurned last month almost in mid-merger with American Hospital Supply Corp. after American decided to merge instead with Baxter Travenol Laboratories. That deal is valued at $3.8 billion.