Virginia Governor Terry McAuliffe announced additional appointments to
his administration, which now includes Valley Health System staff members
James Wells and Patti S. Hershey. As new appointees, both Wells and Hershey
will assist the governor with finding common ground with members of both
parties on issues that will build a new Virginia economy and create more
jobs across the Commonwealth.
Jim Wells, RPh, was appointed to the 18-member Board of Health Professions
as one of its five citizen members. The board also includes representatives
from each of the 13 health regulatory boards. As a member of the Regulatory
Research Committee, Wells is working with other board members to review
and make recommendations for licensed providers in each profession to
be able to work at the highest level of proficiency or skill. He is also
a member of the Enforcement Committee which reviews the setting of fines
and penalties as proposed by the 13 health regulatory boards.
A pharmacist with more than 38 years of experience, the last 30 of which
have been with Valley Health, Wells is Director of Pharmacy for Warren
Memorial Hospital in Front Royal and Page Memorial Hospital in Luray.
“I was honored to be selected by Governor McAuliffe, and I am pleased
by the professionalism and support for all of the health professions by
the Commonwealth,” Wells says.
Patti Hershey, BSRS, MAEd, Director of the Medical Radiography Program
at Winchester Medical Center, was appointed to the five-member Radiological
Technologist Advisory Board, which assists the Virginia Board of Medicine
with licensure and regulation of ten different professions. Through her
appointment, Hershey will review standards of practice and licensing laws
and address ethic issues. The advisory board also makes recommendations
regarding licensing of radiologic physician’s assistants.
A graduate of the Winchester Memorial Hospital School of Radiologic Technology,
Hershey has more than 40 years of healthcare experience. She has continued
her education throughout her career, becoming registered in a variety
of specialties, including mammography and ultrasound.
“As an educator, I am excited about the appointment as I would like
to see the role of radiologic technologists continue to expand,”
Hershey says, adding that radiologic technologists are an important part
of the patient care team with continually expanded roles and added skills
and responsibilities.
“Having not one but two of our team members representing Valley
Health on the governor’s advisory boards is testament to their leadership
and expertise,” offers Mark H. Merrill, Valley Health President
and CEO. “It also speaks to the governor’s confidence in the
high quality care Valley Health provides to the citizens in this portion
of the state. We can all take great pride in their accomplishments as
they work to further their particular professions both locally and across
the Commonwealth.”