SAN FRANCISCO — McKesson Corp.’s Health Mart franchised drug chain has named former Medco Health Solutions executive Stephen Courtman as its new president.

The announcement late last month that Courtman would succeed Tim Canning as Health Mart president coincided with the company marking the opening of its 3,000th member ­pharmacy. Canning left Health Mart in June 2011 to become senior vice president and chief marketing officer at Omnicare Inc. Since then, the office of president has remained vacant.

“Health Mart owners and pharmacists are passionate about the success of independent pharmacy and delivering exceptional customer service, and Steve shares that commitment,” McKesson U.S. Pharmaceutical president Brian Tyler says. “Through his deep understanding of retail pharmacy and the changing reimbursement landscape, he is uniquely qualified to lead Health Mart’s continued success — especially as Health Mart has reached 3,000 stores.”

Courtman most recently was senior vice president of retail markets at Medco, where he oversaw contracting with independent and chain pharmacies and the creation of pharmacy networks for plan sponsors.

Previously he held positions in the aerospace, automotive, health care and restaurant-franchise industries.

Tyler says that as Health Mart president, Courtman will focus on delivering value to independent pharmacy members and shaping the future of the franchise model, working with Health Mart members and McKesson executives to spur operational efficiencies, technology innovation and expanded clinical capabilities.

Courtman says he sees a bright future for Health Mart and is anxious to make his mark on the company that began in 2004 with a network of just 250 pharmacies.

“Rapidly growing from a few hundred pharmacies to 3,000, Health Marts has been a compelling success story in retail pharmacy over the past several years,” he says. “I look forward to collaborating with our Health Mart members to bring forth innovative solutions that can help them address their most pressing needs — ultimately fueling their growth and success.”