You’re invited to celebrate the 40th Anniversary of the North Okanagan Hospice Society (NOHS)! Date: Tuesday, October 15th, 2024 Time:...
From left to right: Jenna Kiesman, Clara Dyck, Michelle Turner, Lisa Matthews, Jennifer Pace, Helen Augustin (Financial Assistant)
Leadership Team
Our interdisciplinary team strive to lead with integrity, Inclusiveness, compassion, excellence and accountability.
Megan Cox, RN, BSN, MN
Executive Director
Megan Cox is the Executive Director of the North Okanagan Hospice Society.
Throughout her career, Megan has been deeply engaged in various clinical settings, consistently demonstrating a commitment to transforming healthcare environments into spaces of healing and trust. She is a steadfast advocate for patients and their families, ensuring their voices are heard and their needs prioritized.
Megan is dedicated to not only meeting but exceeding standards of care, ensuring every patient receives the respect, dignity, and exceptional service they deserve. Her vision, rooted in compassion and quality, emphasizes fostering a collaborative and inclusive environment where healthcare professionals are empowered to deliver their best work, always centering on patients and families.
Outside of her professional endeavors, Megan enjoys spending time with her family and can often be found tending to her garden.
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Jennifer Pace, CPA, CGA, MBA
Financial Officer
Mrs. Pace has held her CPA designation since 2001 and completed her Masters of Business Administration in 2008.
Mrs. Pace started as NOHS’s Controller in the Spring of 2022 coming from a history of industry and non-profit organizations.
Prior to joining NOHS Mrs. Pace was the CFO for Maven Brands for 3 years. She was also Controller and CFO at Progressive Air Services a privately owned airplane engine manufacturer, as well Mrs. Pace was a long-time employee, and ended her tenure as the Controller, for PRT Growing Services (annual revenues of $100 million) where she started in 2004 as the Operations Accountant. Mrs. Pace is also an avid volunteer in her community for non-profit organizations including Habitat for Humanity, the Army, Navy & Airforce Veterans in Canada, and the Royal Canadian Legion.
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Kristin Ford
Fund Development Officer
Kristin has a Business Management Certificate and a diverse background working with various non-profit organizations.
In 2019 Kristin completed her Mortgage Broker exam and after 5 years returned to the nonprofit sector where her passion for community focused work truly lies.
Kristin was born and raised in Saskatoon, SK where she met her husband. Over the next few years his job relocated them to Prince Albert, SK, where they had their 2 children and in 2016, they were fortunate to have the opportunity to move to Vernon. Kristin is a busy sports mom, volunteering as coach, manager, treasurer or whatever else she is needed for. She can be found at the rink, the soccer and fastball field or at the school watching and supporting her kids in their many activities. In her spare time, she loves spending time with her 2 dogs, boating, golfing and playing
ringette.
Michelle Turner, BSCN (Hons)
Hospice Manager
Born and raised in the United Kingdom, Michelle brings over 20 years of management experience to her role as Hospice Manager.
In addition to 8 years experience in the healthcare industry, Michelle has also worked with international corporations on the recruitment and retention of healthcare staff, developing each employee’s professional development.
Notably, Michelle formerly managed policy regulation, legislative compliance, and security measures for Her Majesty’s Prison Service.
Outside of work, Michelle enjoys creating art in her studio, spending time with her children and walking the family cocker spaniel.
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Diana Sanchez Gonzalez, RN
Care Team Leader
Diana is the Care Team Leader at North Okanagan Hospice Society in Vernon, B.C.
With twenty years of experience in healthcare, Diana’s education includes a MD from the Mexican Army University where she practiced as a physician for 17 years, and more recently a BscN degree in Nursing from the University of Saskatchewan in 2017. Her nursing experience has been diverse and encompass pediatrics, obstetrics, acute care, emergency department, public health and long term care. Throughout her career in healthcare, Diana found her passion in elderly care where she has been able to provide compassionate and quality care, and moved quickly into management roles such as Director of Care and General Manager for profit and non-profit long term organizations. On her free time, she enjoys golfing, snowboarding, yoga, and going for walks with her husband Dan and her dog Bella.
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Jenna Kiesman, BA
Community Program Manager
With over a decade of experience in nonprofit organizations, Jenna brings her passion and creative energy to the management of volunteers and community outreach opportunities at NOHS.
A lifelong learner, Jenna received a Bachelor of Arts Degree in 2011 from the UBC Vancouver and is currently completing the “Nonprofit Management” Associate Certificate through BCIT.
Jenna previously worked for Canadian Blood Services in Kelowna and relocated with her young family to Vernon in February 2022.
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Clara Dyck, RN, MSN, CHPCN(C)
Education and Resource Leader
Clara is the Education and Resource Leader at North Okanagan Hospice Society in Vernon, B.C.
She is research partner with Dr. Sharon Kaasalainen and McMaster University in the Strengthening A Palliative Approach in Long Term Care and Associate Member of the Institute for Healthy Living and Chronic Disease Preventions, University of British Columbia. She uses her expertise and knowledge of death and dying to support people along the care continuum from diagnosis of a life limiting illness to bereavement, at all the healthcare touch points. Her breadth of knowledge of end-of-life care ranges from whole person symptom management, Advanced Care Planning to care of the dying in a culturally sensitive trauma-informed manner.
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