Meet your MEC: Kelly Aebi

There is a 'thoughtfulness behind our work that the community may never see'

Let’s continue our series meeting members of the Medical Executive Committees (MECs) at Salem and West Valley hospitals so you can get to know the people behind these leadership roles.

Next up, Kelly Aebi, Direction of Medical Staff Services at Salem Health Hospitals & Clinics and standing attendee of the MEC.

What does it mean to you to be a standing attendee of the MEC?

Attending the MEC means having the privilege of watching highly professional, engaged physician leaders volunteer their time and expertise to govern our Medical Staff. They devote considerable effort to upholding quality and compliance and, although much of that work goes unseen by the broader hospital because of its confidential nature, I have the unique privilege of witnessing both what they accomplish and the care with which they do it.

What made you want to work in healthcare?

My path into healthcare began when I had the opportunity to join Salem Hospital in a role designed to build succession in a highly technical and regulated field. I was drawn to the responsibility of serving as a gatekeeper for patient safety and ensuring that the people entrusted to provide care are appropriately qualified and prepared to do so.

What do you want most for our medical staff?

To celebrate them and the meaningful impact they make, both through direct patient care and through the work they do behind the scenes to protect patient safety and uphold the integrity of our hospitals. Their time is scarce, yet so many choose to contribute because their voice at the table matters, and I want the purpose and value of that commitment to remain visible across the organization. 

What do you want most for our patients we serve?

I want our patients to continue receiving the highest-quality care from exceptional medical staff, care grounded in both expertise and empathy. I want every patient who comes to Salem Health to feel confident that they are in capable hands and genuinely cared for.

What’s a fun fact about you we’d never guess?

I’m actively learning French through tutoring and one-on-one conversation practice. I love to travel and have always been drawn to French culture and, once my children are grown, I would love to spend a few months at a time in Provence and other French regions.

What are you reading right now?

“French Short Stories: Thirty French Short Stories for Beginners to Improve Your French Vocabulary” by Dylane Moreau.

Tell us about one of your hobbies!

Travel is one of my favorites, and I enjoy researching and planning trips almost as much as taking them. When my daughter was 9, I took her on a road trip through Germany that included seeing Taylor Swift in concert. This April, I’m taking my son to Amsterdam and France. I love giving them opportunities to experience places and cultures beyond what they know at home whenever I can. Along the way, we send postcards to ourselves describing a favorite memory from the day or something funny that happened.

What’s one of your favorite things about Oregon?

The waterfalls. My family enjoys hiking, so we created a waterfall scavenger hunt and have been intentionally choosing hikes that lead us to a new one.

Best restaurant in the Willamette Valley?

Lately, our own kitchen. My 11-year-old daughter, 13-year-old son and I have a monthly tradition called “Sightseeing Sunday.” Each month, we choose a country, prepare a meal from that country and share fun facts about it. The food does not always turn out as planned — sometimes it’s not even edible! — but we always have fun.

What do you like most about Salem Health?

What I appreciate most is the thoughtfulness behind our work that the community may never see. Even a change that appears simple has often been thoroughly vetted, with different scenarios and potential impacts considered to ensure the best decision is made for our patients.

What’s the best advice you ever heard?

Don’t ever let yourself feel small. People may measure your accomplishments by what matters to them, but they have only seen a synopsis of your life, not the full story of what it took to get you where you are. Oh, and drink more water. You’re dehydrated!