Riverside Shore Memorial Hospital (RSMH) announced additions to the leadership of its local Board of Directors, appointing three new members-- Sherry Tarr, Samuel Cooper and Kelvin Pettit—all with strong connections to the region, strengthening the Board’s commitment to the community.
“Having a diverse and local Board of Directors is vital to gaining community input from a number of voices so that we can fully address the health care of all in our region,” said John Peterman, Vice President and Administrator at RSMH. “We’ve welcomed our new members and have started on our work together.”
Sherry Tarr, a Chincoteague native, follows in the footsteps of her father, William McComb, who served on the Shore Memorial Hospital Board from 1995 to 2003.
“It’s an honor to follow in my dad’s footsteps and continue the commitment he made to the hospital more than a decade ago. I’m eager to work with the current board members and the staff of Riverside to promote the new facility to the residents of the Shore, particularly in Northern Accomack County and Chincoteague Island,” she said.
In addition to her work with the hospital board, Tarr serves as Treasurer on the Chincoteague Island Library Board and has spent 34 years in the banking industry. She volunteers her time with the Chincoteague Chamber of Commerce as the Marketing Chair of the Seafood Festival and volunteers at the annual Oyster Festival.
For Samuel Cooper, this marks a return to the RSMH Board. Another native of the Shore committed to serving his community, Cooper was previously a member of the board in the late 1980s. He commends Riverside for the wide range of specialists that already serve the Shore and will work with the Board and staff to further expand specialty services. Outside of his work on the board, the longtime Accomack Circuit Court Clerk also runs Cooper & Humbles Funeral Co. He also volunteers as trustee of Macedonia AME Church and Sunday School Superintendent.
Kelvin Pettit also has deep ties to the region. Born and raised in Accomack County, Pettit is involved in several efforts to provide opportunities and improve the lives of community members as President of the Mary N. Smith Cultural Enrichment Center and member of the local Workforce Investment Board.
After serving in the Army, Pettit began his career at A&N Electric Cooperative, where is has remained for 47 years. He plans to bring his business and leadership skills as well as his concern for the community to his board activities.
“I believe that Riverside has built wondeRiverside Foundationul treatment programs and facilities, especially when it comes to cancer treatment,” said Pettit. Like his new Board colleagues, Pettit embraces Riverside’s goals of providing local access to care for everyone on the Shore and of ensuring the continuation of services for decades to come.