Our Board of Directors

Wendy Smitka - President

I am honoured to be serving as a Director, and President, of Nanaimo Community Hospice Society.  My partner and I sold our business in 2008, which freed me to work on my passions instead of a pay cheque. I have served on numerous boards and committees, including Literacy Central Island, TheatreOne, and have spent 20 years with the Community Futures Network, including time as Provincial Chair, and National Chair. I reside in Lantzville with my spouse Brock and our very spoiled dog Willie. I am humbled by the commitment and compassion of Hospice staff and many volunteers. I believe it takes a village to raise a child, and it takes a community to support each other through loss and dying.      

Paul Smith - Vice-President

My background is in the construction and concrete industries. I was responsible for project estimating, project scheduling, and overall management. I have served on the Nanaimo Community Hospice Board of Directors for a total of eight years, three of which were in the role of Vice-President. I currently volunteer at the Hospice Thrift Shoppe in addition to working with clients.

Ron Tomlin - Treasurer

I am retired from the Royal Bank, where I was Area Manager Central Vancouver Island. I have resided in Nanaimo for the past 26 years. Originally from Victoria BC, I have worked and lived in Montreal, Ottawa, Burlington, and Vancouver. I hold my undergraduate degree in Commerce and Economics from Simon Fraser University. I am a Fellow in the Institute of Canadian Bankers. I also served as Past President of the Port Theatre Society and Past Treasurer of the Nanaimo and District Hospital Foundation. For the past 8 years, I have volunteered at the Hospice Thrift Shoppe. I met my wife Alice at one of the grief groups at Hospice House. Hospice is very special to me.

Susan Davidson

I joined the NCHS Board of Directors in 2019. I bring a valuable and diverse skill set to the board from my wide range of professional experiences, working in medical, government, and retail, as well as my volunteer experience working in leadership roles on the Parent Advisory Council, Girl Guides of Canada and the Nanaimo Highland Dance Association. I have lived in Nanaimo for over 30 years and have recently retired from 22 years at the Hudson Bay Company affording me a great prospective on the services available in our community. I have a personal interest in hospice after my experience supporting my mother through the final years of her life and after seeing the impact of a hospice - led grief support group on my teenage daughter. I am passionate about the board’s work towards creating a stand- alone hospice house. Now as a grandmother to two little boys, I am driven to strengthen and diversify NCHS services for the benefit of all in Nanaimo.

Dr. Lindsay Eggen

I am a family physician currently practicing mostly palliative care at Nanaimo Regional General Hospital, Nanaimo community, and occasionally covering Oceanside community and Trillium Hospice. I am originally from Edmonton, Alberta and completed a Bachelor of Science Major in Nutritional Sciences form the University of Edmonton in 2002. I worked as a Registered Dietitian for 8 years in BC and Alberta before going to medical school at the University of Calgary. I moved to Nanaimo with my husband Ben in 2017 and completed family practice residency, where I experienced the wonderful Palliative Care Program here and haven’t left! Since then we’ve added Colby (4 years old) and Polly (3 years old) to our family. Our dog Edgar is almost 16 years old, very deaf, but a beloved family member. 

Jeanne Fahlman

I began my 35-year not-for-profit career in Alberta before starting my journey with Nanaimo Community Hospice when I joined the Board in 2006.  In 2010, I transitioned into a staff position as Development Officer and quickly began working on our Capital Campaign. After a meaningful and rewarding career, I retired in June of 2021 and was able to take several years to slow down, do some traveling, and take time for family.  I am excited to rejoin my Hospice family and give back by serving on the Board once again. On a personal note, my husband and I have two children, two grandchildren and a two-year-old     labradoodle, Jolene, who is training to join me with her own volunteer work as a therapy dog. 

Jon Lampman

I am a retired lawyer. We moved to Canada in 1968 and bought property near Nanaimo in 1969 with two other couples, together raising 7 children, numerous grandchildren and a Noah’s Ark of animals. I taught politics and history at Malaspina College since 1970, practiced law in Nanaimo since 1980 and have been involved in many local activities, organizations and boards. I have been a “Friend of Hospice” and a Lifetime Member. Lynn and I have been married since 1968. Lynn worked as a physiotherapist at Nanaimo Hospital since 1970 and is a longtime Hospice volunteer.

Marilyn Ostercamp

I have lived in Nanaimo for 16 years and prior to that always in Alberta. While in Alberta, I was a career banker and was involved with many volunteer projects, including Food Bank and non-profit organizations for hard-to-house and mental health groups. I have previously been a member of the Nanaimo Community Hospice Board. I look forward to being able to again contribute as a member of this valued organization and am thankful for the opportunity to do so. 

Janet Skinner

My husband and I moved from Edmonton to Nanaimo in Fall 2012. I retired from my position as an Assistant Deputy Minister after 32 years with the Government of Alberta (30 years with Alberta Health and 2 years with Service Alberta). Once retired, we spent several summers sailing along the BC coast and camping.  We also visit our son, daughter-in-law and very dear friends in Alberta as often as we can. We adopted an 8-week-old mini-labradoodle (Beau) in late 2021, and in June 2023 joined the very rewarding St. John Ambulance Therapy Dog Program. For 2 years I was a member of the Ladysmith Maritime Society Board of Directors, and for 6 years I volunteered on the Board of Directors with the Nanaimo Community Hospice Society.

To contact the Nanaimo Community Hospice Board of Directors, please email president@nanaimohospice.com

Our Management Team

Sharon Welch, Executive Director

I have enjoyed serving in leadership and management positions within the private, public, and not-for-profit sectors throughout my career. My Masters of Arts in Leadership and Training degree, along with the Chartered Professionals in Human Resources designation, has helped me expand my knowledge in leading organizations to new levels of success. I have extensive experience in community development; bringing partners together to create new opportunities is one of my passions. I am committed to our caring staff team, our incredible volunteers, and the courageous clients we serve through compassionate and collaborative leadership. I am truly honored to be an integral part of the NCHS team.

Bonnie Ross, Program Manager

I come to NCHS with 12 years of Hospice experience. I spent most of those years in Edmonton where I played a role in the building of Edmonton’s first free-standing Hospice. My background in nursing and experience in program development and volunteer coordination, including developing positive Hospice culture, helps me lead with a solid understanding of all of the facets of non-profit service provision in partnership with a complex healthcare system. I am looking forward to contributing to the growth and development of NCHS through forward collaborative teamwork and compassionate person-centered care.

Tiffany Lang, Thrift Shoppe Manager

I come to NCHS with more than 20 Years of Retail and Volunteer Leadership, in a range of settings including Corporate & Private Retail, Not-for-Profit, Not-for-Profit Thrift, and Entrepreneurship. Running the Social Enterprise for NCHS aligns with my passion for providing positive leadership, fostering relationships, and creating and building community. Being raised in Nanaimo and utilizing the Nanaimo Hospice Services during my own personal grief journey brought the awareness of how important and integral we are for the community at large. I am committed to providing a welcoming and supportive environment for our volunteers, staff, clients, and customers while also raising as much money as we can so that the NCHS team can support the community to the best of our ability.