InTouch Newsletter August 2017 Pathways_InTouch_august2017_WEB | Page 2

Letter from our President Board Member Spotlight: Gary Premer and Cheryl Wong I would like to give a heartfelt thank you to Pathways staff, volunteers and Board of Directors for the warm welcome extended to my family and me as we have made northern Colorado our new home. Moving across the country certainly is not easy, but the constant flow of support has made this transition as smooth as possible. I would especially like to thank HR Executive, Angela Quinn; her leadership as Interim President laid the groundwork for me to successfully begin my new role. Gary Premer 2017 has marked an impressive time of growth for Pathways. We reached a hospice ADC of 200 in August, and palliative care experienced similar growth. This is due to incredible hard work, skill and dedication by employees who are committed to delivering care of the highest quality and compassion. The capital campaign for our Children’s Healing Garden is in full swing and moving along at an excellent pace. Our cash, pledges and grant funds total more than $200,000, plus about $75,000-$100,000 of in-kind donations. We remain on target to break ground on this project in fall 2017 and are counting on the continued support from the community to reach our $500,000 goal. Pathways for Grief & Loss continues to be a great differentiator for us and serves as a well-utilized resource for the community. Our annual Camp BraveHeart was held in July and created a safe, supportive space for more than 50 children and teens. Kudos to Tammy, the many Pathways staff and volunteers, and our partners at 3Hopeful Hearts who worked hard to make Camp BraveHeart a success. Pathways is facing an increasingly competitive hospice landscape in northern Colorado. I face the future brimming with confidence, however, because Pathways is a strong and successful hospice program by nearly every metric and has deep roots in northern Colorado. Pathways’ future looks bright, and I am delighted and honored to be part of that future! Regards, Gary Premer joined the Pathways Board of Directors in April 2017. After a highly successful career in financial management, Gary has chosen to spend his retirement years giving back to the community through his Board participation. The compassionate hospice care both his mother and brother received in their end-of-life transition prompted Gary to pursue a role in this field. Gary’s past experience has provided him with numerous skills that he applies to his new role. As president and founder of Colorado Financial Management, Inc. and a Certified Public Accountant, he possesses ample expertise in investment management, financial planning and accounting. Throughout his professional career, he served the northern Colorado community through his involvement in rotary clubs in Greeley and Fort Collins, the University of Northern Colorado Alumni Board of Directors, and the Project Self-Sufficiency Board of Directors. In addition, Gary is a University of Northern Colorado graduate and U.S. army veteran. He and his wife, Sue, reside in Windsor and enjoy spending time with their four children and two grandchildren. He looks forward to using his diverse skillset and community connections to further Pathways’ mission. Cheryl Wong Cheryl Wong is a recent addition to the Pathways Board of Directors, joining in June 2017. She first became acquainted with Pathways after several close friends utilized Pathways’ services for their parents’ end-of-life care. Cheryl’s desire to become further involved in the community, coupled with Pathways’ positive reputation in northern Colorado, led her to serve on the Pathways Board of Directors. With a Bachelor’s Degree in Theology and a minor in Christian Education, Cheryl spent 19 years as a children’s and family pastor at the Good Shepherd Church in Loveland. Her extensive experience in volunteer recruiting, training and retention will be an asset as she serves on the Board. As a Board member, Cheryl hopes to help Pathways continue to make a positive impact in Larimer and Weld Counties. She looks forward to educating and bringing comfort to those who are in need of end-of-life care, as well as expanding her personal understanding of the hospice and palliative fields as a whole. Cheryl currently resides in Loveland with her husband of 26 years, Brian. They have two grown daughters, who live in Nashville and Portland. Nate Lamkin, President, Pathways 2 | PAT H WAY S I N - TO U C H N E W S L E T T E R A U G U S T 2 0 1 7