Chatham-Kent Hospice has announced a familiar face as its full-time executive director.
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Jessica Smith, who was already serving in a dual role, will start in the position effective July 22, the board of directors said in a recent release.
“Jessica, through the co-operation of St. Andrew’s Residence, has been providing executive director services for hospice since its inception and now with this appointment, she will be solely dedicated to leading our organization,” Graham Kemble, board chair, said.
Smith, a Chatham native, began in health care nearly 25 years ago. Her career started as a student dishwasher at St. Andrew’s Residence in high school where she discovered a passion for caring for people at the most vulnerable times in their lives, the release said.
Later receiving degrees from McMaster University in social work and gerontology, she also was involved in early planning to establish a residential hospice in Chatham-Kent.
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She has served as a shared executive director of St. Andrew’s Residence and the hospice since 2014.
Her appointment to the full-time role follows a selection process led by executive recruitment firm Logic Executive Search and Workplace Solutions.
Smith and her husband, Greg, have three children and are active in community sports and recreation.
“I’ve had the privilege of being involved in the history of Chatham-Kent Hospice since it was a grassroots volunteer campaign. I can remember when the conversation of building a residential hospice in this community was just a whisper,” Smith said.
“I am incredibly honored for this opportunity to deepen my role at hospice and to build on this history.
“Together with Jodi Maroney and the foundation team, donors and external partners, we will continue to create a community where the best possible end-of-life care and grievance support are available.”
The hospice is a 10-bed residential facility that offers care for residents and support for their loved ones.
For more information, visit chathamkenthospice.com
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