Beth “Buffy” Hammers

Photo by Marshall Health.

By Kristen Uppercue

Beth Hammers, chief executive officer at Marshall Health and chief administrative officer for the Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine at Marshall University, learned her strong work ethic from her parents. Her father was a foreman for Charleston Construction Company and built roads and bridges throughout West Virginia. Her mother worked in the laboratory at King’s Daughters Medical Center in Kentucky.

Her first official job was in high school at Roush’s Studio, where she taught acrobatics, baton and dance. Hammers was a majorette and drum major for the Ironton High School Million Dollar Marching Band, where she graduated in 1987, and a Marshall majorette for the Marching Thunder.

“At a young age, I quickly learned that you must be accountable for your actions, and those early jobs and leadership roles reinforced characteristics like professionalism, integrity, reliability and cooperation,” says Hammers.

In 1991, Hammers graduated with a bachelor’s degree in business administration with an emphasis in marketing and management from Marshall University. Soon after, she met Dr. Charles McKown Jr., who, at the time, was the dean and vice president of Marshall University’s School of Medicine.

“When he asked me in a casual conversation what I was planning to do with my degree, I told him the only thing I knew how to do well was attend school, so I was hoping to go back to obtain my master’s degree but was looking for a graduate assistant position to help with my tuition,” she says.

A week after she started her master’s program, Hammers received a call from the medical school offering her a graduate assistant position in the dean’s office for the school of medicine while obtaining a master’s in business administration. That role eventually evolved into a development and marketing specialist position and, in May of 1993, Hammers graduated with her master’s.

In 1996 and 1997, she assisted then-CEO Jim Schneider on the construction of the Marshall University Medical Center and was promoted to director of administrative services shortly after. Throughout the years, she worked in other roles in the company, including the director of compliance and risk management and chief operating officer, before accepting the CEO role as Schneider transitioned to retirement.

“Schneider took me under his wing and taught me the inner workings of academic medicine,” Hammers says. “I’m eternally grateful for the faith he put in me that really helped me find my own voice and leadership style.”

Hammers currently serves as the president of PROACT—Provider Response Organization for Addiction Care and Treatment—as well as on the boards of The Education Alliance, TEAM for West Virginia Children, Marshall University Research Corporation, Mountain Health Clinical Solutions, West Virginia Chamber of Commerce and Peak Health.

She also previously served on the boards of Cabell Huntington Hospital (CHH) for 10 years and the Mountain Health Network, where she served as chair of both organizations for two years before her term ended.

Being a mother of two children ages 21 and 14, Hammers finds mentoring and education critically important for the future of the state and the next generation. She recently joined The Education Alliance board of directors, where businesses and community support come together to ensure that all West Virginia students graduate high school ready for success.

She and her husband, Sean, the prosecuting attorney for Cabell County, are also passionate about Project Hope for Women and Children, Hope House, the Children’s Advocacy Center at CHH and the Boys & Girls Club.

“I have lived in Cabell County for the last 35 years. However, the absolute best thing about West Virginia is the people,” Hammers says. “You know your neighbors, and there is a cooperation across our state that is truly remarkable. No matter how big or small your contribution, you can see and feel the difference you are making in your community, and people are truly appreciative.”