Current BCHPCA Board of Directors
The BCHPCA is administered by a volunteer Board of Directors with extensive backgrounds in healthcare, community service, and non-profit management. Our Board consists of an executive team (officers), regional directors, and directors at large.
The BCHPCA Board consists of a Regional Director from each geographic health region in British Columbia, as well as the First Nations Health Authority, a service delivery organization in charge of administering a variety of health programs and services for First Nations people living in British Columbia.
In addition, to board governance and fiduciary the Board attends events, gives presentations, provides expert advice, and shares experiences on grief, bereavement, death, and dying in community.
BCHPCA's Board of Directors are experts in the healthcare profession, public communication and engagement, media, research and social services sectors, and they are happy to provide speeches, facilitation or MC’ing at community, provincial, and national events. If you are interested in booking any of our board members, please contact Ivy Lai at ivy.lai@bchpca.org.
Officers |
Kevin Harter – President - ChairCEO of Luther Court Society
BiographyI acknowledge I am a settler, on the traditional unceded territories of the lək̓ʷəŋən peoples, including the Songhees, Esquimalt, and WSÁNEĆ nations. I embrace this truth, and aim to foster meaningful dialogue and contribute to the path of genuine reconciliation. With an unwavering commitment to providing exceptional care for seniors, Kevin brings a wealth of experience as an elder care leader. Throughout his remarkable career, Kevin has dedicated over two decades to ensuring that seniors receive the highest quality of care, enriching their lives with compassion, innovation, and dignity. Kevin’s journey in elder care began when he discovered his true calling in Long Term Care, recognizing the importance of fostering a supportive community. His passion for creating a nurturing environment has been the driving force behind his transformative leadership. Prior to joining Luther Court, Kevin served as the CEO at Victoria Hospice, where he made a significant impact during his five-year tenure. He also held the esteemed position of president and CEO at York Care Centre in Fredericton, New Brunswick. (The largest long-term care facility in New Brunswick) His extensive experience in these roles highlights his ability to bring positive change and elevate the standards of care for seniors. As CEO, Kevin leads a dedicated team of staff and volunteers, working tirelessly to deliver outstanding services to the Luther Court community. Collaborating closely with the leadership team, he ensures the seamless execution of operations, maintains crucial relationships with key stakeholders, secures vital resources, and actively promotes and safeguards the integrity of Luther Court. Beyond his professional achievements, Kevin finds solace and joy in his loving family. Married to his wonderful wife, Olga, they share the blessings of two incredible children, Anton and Lora. Completing their family are two adorable fur-babies, Nova and Niko, who bring additional warmth and love to their lives.
|
Natasha Girard - Vice PresidentExecutive Director of Central Okanagan Hospice Association
BiographyNatasha has been working in hospice palliative care in the not-for-profit sector for over 17 years and is very passionate about transforming experiences for individuals and families during life’s most vulnerable moments. She has been able to build my knowledge and strategic experiences in being the Hospice representative on the Southeastern Ontario Regional EOL and Palliative Care Network, advocated provincially and regionally for a 10 bed residential hospice and launched a multi-million dollar capital campaign; volunteered on the Patient and Family Advisory Council for the Southeastern Ontario Cancer Centre, and volunteered on the working committee to bring the vision of Gilda Radner and Gilda’s House to Ontario before relocating to Kelowna in 2016. Prior to working in hospice palliative care, Natasha completed a Paralegal Diploma in Alberta and worked for seven years in Estate Planning and Administration, Oil and Gas Trusts, Litigation and Criminal Law. Since joining Central Okanagan Hospice Association (COHA) in 2016, Natasha has been focused on strengthening and preserving an organization through some challenging times, with a focus on strengthening and building relationships with partners in care, built a new COHA Centre for program delivery and administrative offices, and reached a revenue milestone for the COHA Foundation since it’s inception 10 years ago. Natasha brings a strategic mind and collaborator perspective with the understanding of the successes and challenges community hospice’s face in urban and rural areas. Her leadership on many levels and resilience has provided great outcomes and learnings for future initiatives. The extensive experience in healthcare both professionally and personally provides a wide lens that is advantageous to the development of quality care and support individuals and families deserve in British Columbia. Her eagerness to advocate for greater outcomes, equality and recognition in optimal quality hospice palliative care is a driver for her wanting to join the BCHPCA Board of Directors and lead BCHPCA to the next chapter in growth. Community hospices are a part of the continuum and deserve greater recognition, and she wants to join the Board of Directors in leading greater distinction for community hospices and for British Columbians. |
Dr. Shannon Freeman - Vice PresidentProfessor in the School of Nursing at that University of Northern British Columbia, Academic Director-Centre for Technology Adoption for Aging in the North, Academic Director-UNBC Stats Can Research Data Centre, Michael Smith Scholar 2020.
BiographyShannon believes in the importance of enhanced and sustained access to palliative hospice care in BC and beyond. Shannon is an Associate Professor in the School of Nursing at the University of Northern British Columbia (UNBC), and a member of AGEWELL: Canada’s technology and aging network focusing on innovative solutions to support healthy aging and is leading work examining clinical need for long-term care in rural and northern communities. She is working on developing a safe transition program for residents to return to a community-based setting of care. Shannon also takes an active role in research focused on hospice palliative and end-of-life care and is a Director of the Prince George Hospice Society and has published 37 peer reviewed articles, co-edited a book, written 8 book chapters, and had an active role in the creation of the interRAI Palliative Care Clinical Assessment Protocols. Shannon continues her role as a Board member of the BCHPCA to advocate for better support for those nearing end-of-life and continue to pursue improving access to high-quality end-of-life care from an analytic research-informed perspective. Shannon values her connections and duty to her community and commitment to volunteerism, having recently begun her sixth year as a Director of the Prince George Hospice Society. Shannon commits to bringing a collaborative approach to engage in a broad range of areas, including a focus on promoting the health and well-being of those nearing end of life, the members of their circle of care, that being formal or informal care providers. Shannon will continue to aim to create knowledge useful to our hospice palliative care community across the regions and BCHPCA. |
Dwayne Thomas- Secretary-TreasurerChartered Accountant, an Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA), and an Institute of Chartered Accountants of Jamaica and currently completing his designation in Canada.
BiographyDwayne is a Chartered Accountant, an Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA), and an Institute of Chartered Accountants of Jamaica and currently completing his designation in Canada. Dwayne is a goal-oriented professional with a strong Accounting and Auditing background who brings a practical approach to problem-solving. A competent strategist with keen attention to detail and enjoys being part of a successful and productive team that strives for excellence in a challenging environment. Dwayne is excited and looking forward to supporting the association with its financial needs and looking forward to working with the board to broaden and diverting the association’s funding sources. End-of-life and palliative care services are something that Dwayne hopes to learn more about in his role as a board member and looks forward to working in the non-profit sector while making a meaningful contribution to the community. |
Directors at Large |
Eda Ertan - Director-At-LargeExecutive Director at Brock House Society | Founder & Lead Coach of Quantum Care
BiographyEda is a Turkish-Canadian Health Scientist. Her background is in Psychology & Health Sciences with a focus on Neuroscience, Human Development, Gerontology, Healthy Aging, Health Promotion & Disease Prevention. Eda also works as a Neuroscience and founder and co-lead of Quantum Care, a Neuroscience-based Wellness & Growth coaching and consultancy educational firm. In addition to her consultancy work, Eda has been working at Collingwood Neighbourhood House (CNH) for the past 7 years where she has been working with the Older Adults programming and Community Development Department. She is a Health Link Coordinator, leading the Social Prescribing program at one of the 4 sites in BC’s Lower Mainland where she partners with clinicians, healthcare providers and community organizations to create a holistic system of support for marginalized older adults in the community. Eda is also an Activity Coach for older adults with the Choose to Move research program under the leadership of Active Aging Society and the Medical School of the University of British Columbia to support older adults in enhancing their health and wellbeing through movement, health-programming and social connections that help prolong their independent living. Eda continues her work within the community as a Community Development Specialist, the lead and co-Founder of the Anti-Racism and Equity Committee, as well as the Literacy Outreach Coordinator where she bridge between departments, organizations, and work towards incorporating aspects EDI knowledge translations in programming and offerings. Eda greatly believes in the human right of living healthy, dying in peace and experience life with dignity. Eda looks forward to the prospect of the responsibility of meaningfully volunteering of her time and energy to support the vision, mission and strategic plan of BCHPCA. |
Christa Ovenell - Director-At-LargeFounder of Death's Apprentice
BiographyChrista is the founder of Death’s Apprentice Education and Planning. Her company specializes in holistic advance care planning for individuals and forward-thinking companies. Christa is a licensed funeral director and embalmer, as well as an end-of-life doula, community death educator and columnist on CBC Radio’s province-wide weekend morning show “North by Northwest”. Christa takes a heart-centred, pragmatic approach to difficult topics, helping people get comfortable thinking about, talking about, and planning for life’s only certainty. In addition to her role as a solopreneur in a rapidly emerging field, Christa also serves as a Board of Directors at her local community garden’s association and the Media & PR Lead at Aquamation BC Coalition (www.aquamationbc.ca). Christa is a licenced Willow EOL Educator and funeral director/embalmer’s licence at Koru Cremation, Burial & Ceremony, a locally owned, woman-led independent funeral home that is striving towards carbon neutrality while redefining family-led and community-engaged deathcare. Before Christa became a funeral director, she was the College Director of Canada’s largest international college located at Simon Fraser University. She was a member of the provincially appointed Board of Directors for the BC Council for Articulation and Transfer and the President of the BC Private College & Universities Council until she left that profession to embrace her passion. Christa believes her education, training and media outreach background will help support the Association and its mandates to advocate for true accessibility in End Of Life services. |
Regional Directors |
First Nations Health Authority
Vacant
| Fraser Region |
Interior Region Regional Director - Gail PotterGreater Trail Hospice Society
BiographyGail has been Greater Trail Hospice Society for the past 25 years and has held the positions of Board Member, Board Chair, Board Secretary, and temporary relief positions for the Clinical Program Coordinator. She is a registered nurse (have worked mainly in community care) and an ordained pastor as well. Both of these positions have led her to be very involved with people approaching the end of life, and with supporting family members through this journey. It has been Gail’s goal throughout her career to help people nearing the end of their life with dignity, excellence in symptom control, and control over their personal choices for care. Gail has also been a nursing instructor for 15 years and was instrumental in expanding the palliative components of the BSCN program in her local college/university degree program. Gail brings to the Board, the voice of rural and remote hospices ‘to the table’. Small hospices need particular support to be able to provide education and care to their communities with very minimal resources. Without palliative care teams or specialized palliative facilities, small hospices often have to take on greater roles in supporting clients and families who don’t have access to designated palliative beds, symptom specialists or grief counsellors. Rural hospices have smaller ‘pools’ for fundraising, and fewer staff hours to be able to build their volunteer base. Her goal as being part of the Board, will be to look at ways to help small hospices not just survive, but thrive. Gail brings a wealth of knowledge in research, education and training and hopes this will translate into further research and data collection within hospice palliative care, something that is lacking, which will further aid deliver the importance of hospice palliative care in BC. | North Region
Regional Director - Judi SmartHospice Palliative Care Resident of Northern BC
Biography
Judi is a passionate hospice palliative care resident of Northern BC. She is committed to learning all she can to be an effective board member and representative of the Northern Region. For the past two years, she has been a board member of the Fort St John & District Palliative Care Society and is the chair of fund-raising. She is also a volunteer visitor. Having completed the training to offer public sessions on Advanced Care Planning in October of 2016, together with a fellow board member she offers public sessions in Fort St John. Judi currently works as a pension and benefits administrator and is completing her studies in social work.
|
Vancouver Island Region
Regional Director – Gretchen HartleyCoordinator at Vancouver Island Federation of Hospices
BiographySince 2004, Gretchen has served as Executive Director at Cowichan Hospice with attention to the community’s needs and to the development of resources as she supports staff, volunteers and board members in their compassionate work. She holds a Masters in Social Work in Social Policy and Administration. Before coming to Cowichan Hospice, Gretchen conducted case work and advocacy with two Members of Parliament, followed by community work with Canada’s first Ministry for Women’s Equality. But, it was really learning first-hand about the compassionate care of hospice that inspired Gretchen to look into volunteering and eventually work, with Cowichan Hospice. She’s especially proud and happy to have worked on the development of Cowichan Hospice House through its many stages, including collaborating with the task force members, volunteers, community members and donors who helped to open the house in 2020. She is honoured to have worked for many years with the amazing volunteers and professionals who have delivered beautiful hospice and bereavement care for people at very difficult times in their lives. To Gretchen, heart-centered and whole-person care always makes a difference, it is based on listening deeply and focusing on people’s unique needs as they journey through serious illness or grief. | Vancouver Coastal Region Regional Director – Sarah CobbExecutive Director of Vancouver Hospice Society
BiographySarah has been working in end-of-life care for last 15 years. She is committed to providing exceptional care for patient’s and families at end of life, but also educating my colleagues about the importance of embedding a palliative approach to care throughout or health system. Sarah firmly believes Palliative care is critical to ensuring the sustainability of our heath care system. Both in terms of quality of care and ensuring exceptional patient and family centred care as people navigate our complex systems. Sarah has been working as a nurse since 2002 and in Palliative Care since 2007 and in those 15 years she has taken on many roles mostly within Providence Health Care, including acute care Palliative, consults, hospice, and community education. Sarah started her current role as the Executive Director of the Vancouver Hospice Society two years ago and in that time, she has attended many BCHPCA meetings and have been really impressed with the Association’s vision and passion for supporting hospices around the province. Sarah has also completed her Master’s of Health and Leadership Policy (MHLP) in 2019 with a focus on Seniors Care and feels that this only deepened her understanding of the current state of end-of-life care and how much work we have to do to increase funding, education and accessibility among other priorities. During her time at Providence Health Care she supported the accreditation process over 4 cycles, worked on the organization’s MAiD guidelines and has been a member of the Vancouver end-of-life working group for over 12 years. She also led a pilot project for embedding the Palliative Approach to care and was a long-time member of the Ethics resource committee. Sarah’s Canadian Nurses Association – Hospice and Palliative Care Certification is up to date and a recipient of two awards both the Andrew Johnson Award for advocacy in 2019 and The S Patricia Graham Nursing Award in 2019 for her work in Palliative Care. |
Staff TeamThe BCHPCA strives to bring together a diverse range of experiences, skillsets, perspectives, and backgrounds in an organization that is inclusive, accessible, and innovative. As a result of limited funding and resources, a diverse and skilled internship and volunteer base is engaged throughout the school year to assist with our day-to-day operations. The BCHPCA staff works hard for its members and the public alike. Bringing awareness of the value of hospice palliative care not only to the community but also to government and policymakers is the key driving force for the staff team and supports the relations we build with interest holders and all those who reach out to the association. Each year, staff members participate in a variety of events, conferences, community events, and educational and institutional activities bringing awareness of the benefits of hospice palliative care in our community and country. |
Shea Zsombor IT Support Lead - Volunteer |
About the associationBCHPCA represents its members: individuals and organizations that deliver hospice/palliative care and bereavement services and programs across British Columbia and the Yukon Territory. | Contact usEmail: office@bchpca.org Unit 1100- 1200 West 73rd Ave, | Stay InTouchKeep up to date on upcoming events and recent job postings |
The BC Hospice Palliative Care Association (BCHPCA) recognizes the traditional land of the First Nations, Métis and Inuit peoples who have walked before us and minded the lands we now call home for time immemorial. Hospice Societies have been able to support, aid and care for many people on these same lands. The BCHPCA Offices are located on the ancestral, traditional, and unceded lands of the Coast Salish Peoples, including the territories of the Musqueam, Squamish, and TsleilWaututh Nations.
|
Copyright © BC Hospice Palliative Care Association 2024 | Privacy Policy | Website by Merge Creative Inc |