The Martha’s Vineyard Hospital will host a community forum at the performing arts center on June 5 at 5 p.m. to give Islanders an opportunity to ask questions and give feedback about the facility and healthcare on the Island.

“It’s going to be like a big living room conversation,” said hospital CEO Denise Schepici. “I’m trying to keep it low key and casual so people feel comfortable asking questions and getting to know us.”

Ms. Schepici said this will be an opportunity to introduce herself and her team to the community. She will field questions with the help of healthcare communications professional Peter Brown.

Ms. Schepici began work in her new position in January, following the firing of her predecessor, Joseph Woodin. Mr. Woodin’s dismissal sparked community outcry, prompting the hospital to take steps to improve community relations. Among other actions, the hospital hired a new communications director, Katrina Delgadillo.

This community forum will be the first of its kind for Ms. Schepici in her new position. She has spent the last few months speaking with hospital employees at all levels and getting to know community partners. She said she wanted to wait to have a forum until she was sure she had a deep understanding of the Island and the hospital.

The hospital has reserved the performing arts center at the regional high school for the event, and they hope to see a high turnout. Advertisements have appeared in both Island newspapers, on Facebook, and on their website.

“The main goal is to have a dialogue with the community about what they think about the hospital, what their concerns are, and what their questions are about the future,” she said.

Ms. Schepici said she expects primary care access and the hospital nursing home, Windemere will come up. The hospital’s chief medical officer Pieter Pil will be on hand as well as chief nurse Carol Bardwell and the chief of medical staff and obstetrics and gynecology, Daniel Pesch.

Community members are asked to submit questions ahead of time using an online survey, but people will be encouraged to take the microphone at the event as well.

“We’ll have those questions ahead of time if the audience is slow to start out, but I don’t think anybody’s going to be shy,” Ms. Schepici said.

Ms. Schepici said she envisions the forum becoming an annual event.

“I’m really hoping people will realize this is their hospital and that I take their questions seriously,” Ms. Schepici said.

The forum will take place Tuesday, June 5 from 5 to 6:30 p.m. at the performing arts center at the regional high school.