From Rotary Club president to heading up the Talbot County Chamber of Commerce, and a sundry of other civic leadership roles over the years, Patti Willis as seen extraordinary changes on the Eastern Shore since she was born in Centreville in the 1950s. And none are more dramatic than in the field of healthcare, where Patti has watched for over three decades as the chief communications officer, first starting at Easton Hospital and now with UM Shore Regional Health, some extraordinary transitions with the Mid-Shore’s evolving hospital system.
In her Spy interview, Patti talks about growing up on the Eastern Shore, her family links to healthcare, and her extraordinary observations about the historic shifts the region has experienced with its hospitals. In many ways, however, Patti sees more of a “back to the future” story unfolding then the dismantling of local services as she recalls her own experiences in Queen Anne’s County where her family made routine short drives to Easton’s hospital for health care needs. She also talks about her experience as a patient for a month at the age of five in Easton only to find herself using the a office space nearby when she took over public relations several decades later.
This video is approximately eleven minutes in length
Bob Blades says
Thank you for the video & article featuring Patti Willis and her remarks on the UMES Health System. We are indeed fortunate to have the system in place
for the four county area. Going back in history, my grandmother was born in 1864 in the ole’ Easton Hotel primarily because she lived in the country and most likely her doctor lived in Easton. Our family has been fortunate enough to have the Easton hospital, the medical doctors and nursing staff at our disposal for a number of emergencies. My mother and father passed away there, my wife and children were born there, and my son’s life was saved there. My wife had emergency surgery in the Easton hospital and I have had several occasions for needed observation and care. In all of the many occasions we have utilized the facility in Easton, we have had nothing but top notch care and attention. We thank all of the many people going way back in years for providing the modern, up-to-date facility we have today and the effort they have made in attracting competent doctors, nurses and employees. Thanks UMES.