After a difficult year in community relations, the Martha’s Vineyard Hospital has appointed Katrina Delgadillo as its new communications director. She will officially assume the title next week.

“I think Katrina is a woman beyond her years,” said hospital CEO Denise Schepici. “She’s got the right sense and sensibility. She’s very community minded. She seems like a natural.”

Ms. Delgadillo has worked at the hospital for about a year in the development department and as the interim communications director starting in late February.

In addition to her work at the hospital she runs a music business with the band Dukes of Circuit Ave. She has also spent time working in Quito, Ecuador for the Fulbright Commission. She grew up in New York and Pennsylvania, but she has lived on the Island for about 15 years.

“Being a member of the community, I’ve noticed that the hospital is probably one of the most important institutions on the Island for every Islander at some point whether they need emergency healthcare or just basic testing,” she told the Gazette Friday. “It’s an important aspect of our community, and when the job was posted, it peaked my interest, and I was happy to see how I could help.”

Ms. Delgadillo said her main focus will be on aiding new hospital CEO Ms. Schepici to increase transparency, conversation, and collaboration with other community groups on the Island.

“Denise has been really a positive force in the hospital,” she said. “It’s energized me to see how I can help her with her goals.”

Hospital leadership has been recently criticized for the sudden firing of the former CEO, Joe Woodin, last year after just 13 months on the job. The establishment of this new communications position is part of Ms. Schepici’s initiative to improve relationships. Before, communications were managed by the director of development, Rachel Vanderhoop.

Ms. Vanderhoop will continue as the director of development.

“I think a communications department is critical for a hospital,” Ms. Schepici said. “I’m trying to structure the team to reorient ourselves for the future.”

Ms. Delgadillo says some initial actions will include revamping the hospital’s internal newsletter, increasing social media exposure, and pursuing designs for an updated website.

“There’s so much we want to do,” she said.