For 2022-2023
The PRHS is governed by a Board of Directors, who are directly responsible to the community for the effective management of the organization.
Cathy Fisher, PresidentCathy has recently retired after 30 years as a classroom teacher and a Special Education support teacher and 6 years as President of the Powell River and District Teachers’ Association. She has served on many local and provincial committees through her involvement with the BCTF and as a teacher. Cathy has been honoured to support two close friends during their final days and feels it’s important for everyone to have a supportive network around themselves and their family at the end of their lives.
Malerie Meeker, Vice President
Retired for six years, Malerie is busy with community volunteering; currently she facilitates the Caregivers Support Group for individuals caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s Disease or other form of dementia; she is coordinator of the Sunshine Gogos – Stephen Lewis Foundation Grandmothers to Grandmothers Campaign; and she is on the staff of The Barnacle – a quarterly news-periodical covering the people and events of Lund BC.
Malerie’s working career centered around inclusion and social justice. As Executive Director of Powell River Association for Community Living (PRACL, now inclusionPR) for 18 years, she helped to close institutions for people living with developmental disabilities and set up community-based services. After leaving PRACL, Malerie taught in the School and Community Support Worker program at Vancouver Island University (VIU), then helped to develop and taught in the Disability Studies Diploma program. In 2014, Malerie was awarded VIU’s “Distinguished Alumni – Service to Society Award”. She holds a Masters in Leadership from Royal Roads University.
Niky Burnett, Secretary
Niky grew up on Quadra Island. She moved to qathet Region District in 2017 with her partner Bill. Niky works as a Registered Nurse in Community Health. Seeing the amazing difference that Hospice volunteers and programming makes in our community, and the much needed Hospice House, made her want to join the Hospice Board. In her free time she enjoys gardening, hiking and playing with her Dog Waffles.
Crista Whyte, Treasurer
Bio and picture coming soon.
Doreen Hopkins, Director
I am from the Tla’amin Nation, and am currently employed by Tla’amin Health. I have had the pleasure of actively participating in many different projects within the Tla’amin community. I am honored and look forward to participating on the PR Hospice Board.
Gary Olson, Director
Jodie Young, Director
Maureen Tierney, Director
Dr. David May, Ex OfficioDavid is a full service family doc working in Powell River BC for the last twenty five years. He also works as an anesthetist and has a consulting practice in palliative care and chronic pain. He was a member of the Physician Support Program chronic pain planning committee and is a member of the Doctors of BC palliative care committee. He is a board director of the Powell River Division of Family Practice and physician lead on the Shared care committee palliative care and chronic pain initiative. He is a board director of the BC College of Family Practitioners. He is married with three kids and all of his family members are experts at keeping his ego in check!
Staff
Leslie Emory, Interim Executive Director
Leslie has a Masters of Social Work with a specialization in social service leadership. Most recently she held a leadership position within the immigrant and refugee serving sector for many years prior to which she worked within the non-profit sector offering employment and mental health supports. She has had the opportunity to contribute to a diversity of non-profit boards, coalitions and cross-sectoral collaborations.
Leslie has a passion for social innovation initiatives addressing barriers to access, community engagement and organizational development.
Sarah Joy Herzog, Client and Volunteer Coordinator
Sarah Joy Herzog has worked in the social work field for over 10 years and holds a Master of Social Work degree from University of Calgary. SJ is a macro-practice social worker passionate about community and group change.
She has experience working with many different people including, young mothers, youth and adults who are homeless, individuals with exceptional abilities, survivors of trafficking and more. Her work has also focused on advocacy and awareness around social issues and overseeing programs to ensure positive impact for clients. SJ recently moved to PR from Ontario to live by the ocean. She loves kayaking, hiking and searching for whales and seals!
Megan Gros, Program and Admin Support
Megan has worked with numerous local non-profits in Powell River in an administrative capacity over the past 10+ years, and brings with her a great deal of experience in this field. She holds a bachelor’s degree in community rehabilitation and disability studies from the University of Calgary, and also holds a diploma in disability studies and certificate in event management from Vancouver Island University