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Peconic Bay announces its first-ever woman chairperson

PECONIC BAY COURTESY PHOTO | Sharon Patterson, the Peconic Bay Medical Center's new chairperson of the board of trustees, as pictured in the Riverhead hospital's front lobby.

For the first time in Peconic Bay Medical Center’s 61-year history, a woman has taken the helm as chairperson of the hospital’s board of trustees.
Sharon Patterson, who had been serving as vice chairman, succeeded Jesse Goodale III, hospital officials announced this week.

“Sherry’s commitment to PBMC is exemplary,” said hospital president and CEO Andrew Mitchell. “Consistently, she has demonstrated leadership qualities and has worked tirelessly on behalf of the medical center’s mission and remains committed to the medical center’s Foundation.

“She is an invaluable member of the PBMC Board, willingly sharing her wisdom, perspectives and ideas.”

Ms. Patterson took over as chairperson earlier this year.

“It is a privilege to have the opportunity to lead such a distinguished organization and serve with a group of individuals who passionately work toward the mission of PBMC,” Ms. Patterson said in a statement. “My governing priority is to ensure that PBMC transitions into the next phase of developing its healthcare services and continues providing clinical excellence to fulfill our nonprofit mission and meet the needs of the communities we serve.”

Ms. Patterson is a longtime Riverhead realtor who has been a hospital trustee since 2000. She also serves on the board of trustees of the East End Health Alliance, which links Peconic Bay with Eastern Long Island Hospital and Southampton Hospital.

She is on the Riverhead Rotary board and, in the past, has served on the Riverhead Free Library board.

Ms. Patterson and her husband, Stephen, donated the waterfall garden at Peconic Bay Medical Center to provide a landscaped, tranquil setting for patients and their visitors, hospital officials have said.

She’s also a former Riverhead News-Review Civic Person of the Year.