Interview with William R. Willard, June 22, 1979
Project: A. B. "Happy" Chandler: The Dr. Charles P. Roland Interviews
Interview Summary
The interview opens with Dr. Willard discussing the founding of the UK Medical Center, with Willard brought to UK as the head of the UK Medical Center. Happy Chandler supported Willard for the job. Willard discusses the polarizing attitudes of the general medical profession in Kentucky towards this project, mentioning that some people may have opposed it simply because it was connected with Chandler. Willard discusses Chandler's political help in getting medical care to the people of Eastern Kentucky, including the creation of a commission on the care of the medically indigent as well as the development of a Hill Burton Hospital and organizations in Eastern Kentucky that received federal money to develop new services. The naming of the hospital is discussed, as well as possible "financial shenanigans" related to Chandler and the hospital. Willard describes the original meeting he had with Chandler as well as the difficulties he had with various bureaucracies. Willard describes Chandler as someone who developed personal relationships in order to accomplish his goals, cutting through the bureaucratic process.Interview Accession
Interviewee Name
Interviewer Name
Interview Date
Interview Keyword
Albert Benjamin "Happy" Chandler Politics and government United States politicians UK Chandler Hospital UK Albert B. Chandler Hospital Chandler Medical Center Albert B. Chandler Hospital University of Kentucky Albert B. Chandler Hospital Chandler Hospital Eastern Kentucky Hill Burton HospitalsInterview LC Subject
Chandler, Happy, 1898-1991 Kentucky--Politics and government Kentucky. Governor (1935-1939 : Chandler) Kentucky. Governor (1955-1959 : Chandler) Politicians--United States United States--Politics and government Willard, William R., 1908- Willard, William R., 1908- --Interviews Public speaking. Politicians--Kentucky Politics and government Politics, Practical Medically underserved areasInterview Rights
All rights to the interviews, including but not restricted to legal title, copyrights and literary property rights, have been transferred to the University of Kentucky Libraries.Interview Usage
Interviews may be reproduced with permission from Louie B. Nunn Center for Oral History, Special Collections, University of Kentucky Libraries.Restriction
Interviews may be reproduced with permission from Louie B. Nunn Center for Oral History, Special Collections, University of Kentucky Libraries.
All rights to the interviews, including but not restricted to legal title, copyrights and literary property rights, have been transferred to the University of Kentucky Libraries.
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Willard, William R. Interview by Charles P. Roland. 22 Jun. 1979. Lexington, KY: Louie B. Nunn Center for Oral History, University of Kentucky Libraries.
Willard, W.R. (1979, June 22). Interview by C. P. Roland. A. B. "Happy" Chandler: The Dr. Charles P. Roland Interviews. Louie B. Nunn Center for Oral History, University of Kentucky Libraries, Lexington.
Willard, William R., interview by Charles P. Roland. June 22, 1979, A. B. "Happy" Chandler: The Dr. Charles P. Roland Interviews, Louie B. Nunn Center for Oral History, University of Kentucky Libraries.
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