SANFORD — Nearly eight years after she took the helm at the Cancer Care Center of York County, Director Karen Pierce-Stewart has announced she will be leaving.

Pierce-Stewart informed Robert Hardison, the chairman of the center’s board of directors of her decision last week. She will be moving to Florida, to be near her son and his family, who are expecting a child in July.

“Those of us who work closely with Karen know the incredible leadership she has brought to the Cancer Care Center of York County,” said Hardison in a statement. “She has led the Cancer Care Center superbly, taking on any task from overseeing the installation of Maine’s newest radiation therapy treatment technology at the Center to ensuring that leaks in the roof are tracked down and fixed. And through it all, her goal has been to ensure that all cancer patients in York County receive the very best of care.”

Hardison on Monday said the board will have interim management in place by the time Pierce-Stewart leaves at the end of June. Then the board, which is made up of representatives from Maine Medical Center and Southern Maine Health Care, will begin the search for a new director.

Pierce-Stewart began her tenure at the Cancer Care Center of York County Nov. 1, 2009, and is the second director since it opened 11 years ago.