Former WOOD TV news director, industry leader, dies of cancer

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — A woman who led the WOOD TV newsroom for years died Saturday after a long battle with cancer.

Patti McGettigan, 53, became WOOD TV's news director in 2000 at the turn of the century and in the midst of tremendous transformation in how the world consumes its news. She served as the station's news director until leaving the station in 2009 to serve as news director at stations in Indianapolis and Memphis.

"Patti was a driving and trans-formative force — leading us with her strong convictions, solid decision making, and great compassion for her team and the community we serve," WOOD TV8 Director of Operations Kevin Ferrara wrote in a staff memo sent out Saturday evening. "She had the incredible vision to see the endgame to each decision with great foresight and clarity."

One of McGettigan's proudest accomplishments was her work on an award-winning special called "Race in Reality". It aired in 2005. The program examined the role race plays in the community and the consequences of racism and discrimination. The initiative ultimately garnered the station a national RTNDA Unity Award.

For WOOD TV8 staffers at the time, the experience went further. She encouraged all of the newsroom staffers to participate in the Institute for Healing Racism.

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