Watts Health will be returning to the 19th Taste of Soul Family Festival.
“It’s unique in the fact that patients come from the community,” said Dr. Barrett Hatches about the Watts Health Foundation.
“I want to reestablish our presence in Watts.”
The CEO of the Watts Health Foundation, Hatches comes with a wealth of experience.
He is graduate of Jackson State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Political Science, a 1995 graduate of Webster University with a Master of Arts in Management, and a 2009 graduate of Jackson State University with a Ph.D. in Urban Leadership and Higher Education.
Hatches is an accomplished senior executive with over 35 years of experience in management including extensive work in both the healthcare and energy sectors. In 2022, was selected as a Notable Executive of Color in Health Care by Crain’s Chicago Business and was presented a Lifetime Achievement Award in 2023 for his work in healthcare by the Illinois Primary HealthCare Association. In July 2023, Hatches joined the Watts Health Foundation as interim CEO.
“I had been around as a consultant,” said Hatches. “I had been around the organization and knew something about it.
He continued, “I knew that the first thing I needed to do was help stabilize the organization because it had gone through leadership transition, so that was the first thing—stabilize and get a pulse of the employee base and the health center to see where we were.”
When asked what sets Watts Health apart from other healthcare systems, Hatches shared that it comes down to relationships.
“Its longevity is one thing and the fact that many of the, not only providers, but employees that work here are from the Watts community,” said Hatches. “So, it’s home for them, it’s more than just seeing and treating unknown patients, in many cases, these are people that they know.”
Hatches continued, “So, it causes you to have a different sense of caring when you know, to have a relationship with the people that you’re serving.”
Dr. Hatches spoke proudly about Watts Health and how they serve the community. He also spoke about the legacy he wants to leave.
“I want to say that Watts [Health], we’re still here, after all these years and I want to give it a better sense of its mission,” said Hatches.
“Why we exist and why we care because we are a mission-centered organization. We’re here to serve the most vulnerable population and serve the marginalized.
“I like my legacy to be that we continue with the mission of the organization and strengthen that mission through a greater sense of awareness, caring, focus on customer service—quality.”
The Watts Health Foundation is a sponsor and health provider for the Taste of Soul Family Festival again this year. Dr. Hatches shared his experience with Taste of Soul last year and how important it was for Watts Health to be at the festival.
“Last October was my first Taste of Soul event and I had heard a lot about it, but nothing could have prepared me for what I saw,” said Hatches. “It was unbelievable.”
He continued, “To see it from the Watts Healthcare perspective, the number of people that we were able to see for mammograms, blood pressure—again, seeing the caring spirit our Watts employees had for our community, I’m telling you, I was not prepared for what I saw.
“I don’t think anybody can accurately describe what it’s like—you just have to experience it.”
The Watts Health Foundation will be offering some basic screenings like blood pressure checks, some counseling that includes alcohol and substance abuse, some discussions around diabetes and other programs they have available. Dr. Hatches is looking forward to Taste of Soul and meeting the community again on Saturday, October 19.
“You can come to see us regardless of your ability to pay,” said Hatches about the Watts Health Foundation. “We’re not a free clinic but we certainly won’t turn you away because you can’t pay.
“We are a full-service clinic.”
For more information on the Watts Health Foundation, visit www.wattshealth.org. For more information about Taste of Soul, visit www.tasteofsoulla.com.
