Trailblazers of Wellness: How Two Women Are Shaping the Future of Community Health

This is the story of two passionate women. The first is probably better known. Wendy Palmer has been a force on the Eastern Shore for decades, including co-owning the restaurant Latitude 38 in Oxford. The other, Shania Gregory-Smith, is a lifelong native whose roots run deep in Easton’s soil. Together, the two share a passion for transforming lives that directly impact the community they call home.

Wendy Palmer has been an integral figure at the Easton Family YMCA for the past seven years, eventually becoming Executive Director. During her tenure, she has immersed herself in wellness initiatives, acting as an advocate and cheerleader for those facing obstacles. “Through my entire journey with the Y, which is almost seven years, my passion has been with those who are having a little struggle. Maybe it’s struggles with mobility, maybe it’s a struggle with just getting started,” Palmer said. She considers herself on an ‘encouragement mission.’

Now, Palmer is taking her mission and expertise region-wide as the director of the newly formed Chronic Disease Prevention Program, according to Kerry Daly, Director of Marketing and Communications.

“Chronic disease prevention is such a need, and it really just speaks to and fits what the YMCA of the Chesapeake is all about – serving and addressing the needs of each community,” Daly said. “For that, you’ve got to have the right person, someone with boundless energy and enthusiasm for the program.”  

It’s a role Palmer was born to fill. Just look at some of her standout initiatives: the Rocksteady boxing program for Parkinson’s patients, LIVESTRONG, which empowers cancer survivors to experience improved fitness and quality of life, and the Diabetes Prevention Program—a yearlong group of classes focusing on measurable lifestyle goals. “These programs are more than just fitness routines,” said Palmer, “they’re lifelines for those facing chronic conditions. We provide not only physical support but also a network of understanding and encouragement.”

That support network is also part of Palmer’s own philosophy that she is happy to share with others: “You can’t just take one class, you can’t just do one month; you need to find what works for you. And if you find something that brings you joy in movement, you’ll repeat it. I call it exercise in disguise.”

In her new role, Palmer will recruit and train coaches and volunteers, foster collaboration with diverse community stakeholders, and spearhead fundraising efforts to offset program expenses. There is a reason for this: these life-changing programs have been and will continue to be accessible to all, regardless of financial means. By offering them free of charge, the YMCA reinforces its message of care and support for members and the broader community.

As Wendy Palmer switches to her new role, the spotlight shifts to Shania Gregory-Smith. According to Daly, finding the right person to helm the dual branches of the Easton Family Y was a critical part of this transition process. In Gregory-Smith, they’ve found not just the perfect fit but an already familiar face.

For this lifelong Easton native, the Y has been a constant – she first walked through its doors at just eight years old. As Gregory-Smith grew up, so did her involvement, which included taking a part-time front desk job that evolved into roles like Membership Director and Operations Director. In 2020, she became Executive Director of the 3,000-member Robbins Family YMCA in Cambridge. Now, the dream has come full circle with her appointment leading the 10,000-member Easton Y, the same one that proved so transformative during her childhood.

Recently, when Gregory-Smith stepped back into the Easton Y for a visit, she was overcome with emotion. “It was just so nostalgic,” she said. “The feeling of being home hit me overwhelmingly. And that is the feeling you need when you work for a community-based organization such as the YMCA.” 

As she looks ahead to continuing the work Wendy Palmer has been championing, Gregory-Smith also carries deeply personal goals close to her heart. Chief among them is ensuring every child in Talbot County knows they can succeed, no matter their circumstances. She speaks from experience. “I went through poverty,” she said. “Sometimes we didn’t have enough to eat at night. I never imagined that I would be where I am today. I am so very grateful. It’s a dream realized.”

She recognizes the unique challenges facing youth in the area–hurdles exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. For that, she’s determined to create new partnerships and tailor innovative programs to help youngsters thrive. “I want to make kids a priority; I want them to know that anything is possible through hard work, education, and just being grounded in the community.”

As they take over new responsibilities this month, Wendy Palmer and Shania Gregory-Smith are committed to the YMCA’s holistic wellness and community involvement mission, highlighting the interconnectedness between the Y’s principles, the region’s wellbeing, and the satisfaction these leaders derive from their work.