PUTNAM — Kristen Willis has been named director of Development for Day Kimball Healthcare (DKH). Willis is responsible for overseeing all development functions for the nonprofit community healthcare system, including major gifts, fund-raising events and philanthropic efforts.

Willis has extensive experience in fund-raising and stewardship and is a native of northeastern Connecticut - born at Day Kimball Hospital, in fact. Prior to joining the team at DKH, she was associate director of development for the Health Sciences division of the UConn Foundation and also a past director of development and alumni relations at Woodstock Academy.

“I have always been interested in working in healthcare,” Willis said. “I enjoyed many years at Woodstock Academy and when I moved on to the Health Sciences division of UConn - still in academia but also healthcare - that was a great bridge.”

Willis said when she heard of the opportunity at DKH, it was an instant and natural decision to pursue it.

“This is the place I want to be. I couldn’t think of a better scenario to get further involved in healthcare than to be working to further a place I care about. This is my community hospital and the access to quality healthcare along with the affordability it provides to myself, my friends and family, to my community here in northeast Connecticut, is extremely important.”

Willis holds a master’s degree in Strategic Fund-raising and Philanthropy from Bay Path University and a bachelor of science degree in Business Administration from Eastern Connecticut State University. She is also a Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE), a member of the Association of Fund-raising Professionals and a member of the Day Kimball Hospital Woman’s Board.

DKH President and CEO Robert Smanik said he feels Willis is a wonderful fit for the position. “Kristen is an accomplished fund-raising and development professional who also has strong ties in the communities we serve and a strong belief in the mission and value of our organization. We couldn’t ask for a better combination of qualities for our director of development,” Smanik said. He continued, “Day Kimball has deep roots and a long history of community support in northeast Connecticut and I think Kristen will do a wonderful job of helping that connection grow into the future.”