Chester Dewitt, the Outreach Community Liaison for the Memory and Aging Program at Butler Hospital, has lived a life dedicated to serving others. From his early days on the football field to his years in the U.S. Navy and tireless work supporting his Providence community, Dewitt exemplifies leadership and compassion. Now, he’s using those qualities to further Alzheimer’s awareness and research participation in underserved communities across Rhode Island.
Growing up in Providence, RI, Dewitt's first passion was football, going on to play for Arizona State University. He then joined the Navy, serving six years as a fire control man, and was deployed during 9/11. His military service took him around the world, from Spain and Italy to Africa and the Caribbean.
"I love learning about different cultures," says Dewitt of his Navy experience. "I got to visit a place and learn about the different cultures and how other people do things. It's very nice. It's eye-opening. It humbles you."
For his distinguished service, Dewitt was recognized as "Veteran of the Year" by the Wounded Warrior Project and gifted a car, which he humbly mentions as an aside. Perhaps the greatest testament to Dewitt's character is how he leads by example, pouring his heart into family and community.
"My kids come first," he says. And his providence community is a clear second. Through his work with the Memory and Aging Program at Butler Hospital, Dewitt continues his lifelong mission of opening minds, bringing people together, and providing for those in need.
Dewitt is dedicated to uplifting the Providence community in a myriad of ways. As a football coach, he mentors youth in Providence, coaching his 13-year-old son's team, the Oakwood Raiders, who have dreams of going to nationals. He also coaches his 18-year-old son, who has autism and is non-verbal, in the Special Olympics.
Dewitt serves as Vice President of the Chad Brown Alumni Association, organizing turkey, toy, and food drives for those in need. Another program he's passionate about is Game Night, where he brings together community mentors once a month to play games with middle school students, opening the door to important conversations and mentoring opportunities.
Other community initiatives Dewitt leads include intramural basketball and flag football leagues for local youth, an Alpha program to mentor young men, a new GEMS program being developed for young women, and a recent grant providing 75 local kids with bikes and bike safety training.
Through community involvement, Dewitt found his current role as Outreach Community Liaison at the Memory and Aging Program. "I came here and immediately never wanted to leave," he shares. "It's been a blessing. Honestly, it doesn't feel like I'm working at all because I'm doing something I love to do."
Dewitt sees his role as critical for supplying what his community needs when it comes to Alzheimer's awareness, research, and support. He's working to overcome historical distrust of medical institutions and combat the stigma that Butler Hospital only treats mental illness.
"Butler isn't just a mental health hospital; it's a brain hospital and a brain research center. There are a lot of things to help people here," Dewitt emphasizes, noting that once he builds trust and makes people feel comfortable, people open up to him about their experiences with dementia and other such disorders.
His main message to the community about Alzheimer's? Have a plan in place for the individuals themselves and their caretakers.
By participating in research, Dewitt explains, people can access critical diagnostic tests and learn how to manage the stages of dementia. "I want them to come in and get the research because there are certain tests and services that many of them may not have access to otherwise, like PET imaging and other exams that can be very expensive," he says. "If they're already in research, we can guide them through the steps and how to take care of themselves. There's too much knowledge and resources available here at the Memory and Aging Program for residents not to take advantage of and benefit from."