Comox Valley Healthcare Foundation has named Rhonda Stevens and Avry Janes as the new co-executive directors.
“We are delighted to welcome Rhonda and Avry into this leadership role,” said Board Chair Bill Anglin. “Their familiarity with operations and their strong relationships with partners make them ideal for the job. Both have a sincere passion for our community that will serve us well in delivering our mandate. We are extremely fortunate to have two dynamic individuals who know and understand the foundation leading us to the next level.”
Born and raised in the Comox Valley (as were three of her grandparents), Janes’s deep roots and ties to the community accompanied with many years of experience in the not-for profit sector make her a natural fit to continue to grow the work of the Foundation.
Stevens served our country in the Canadian Armed Forces for more than 29 years specializing in search and rescue, and commanding 19 Wing Comox, before starting her work in the health care philanthropy sector. Her extensive leadership experience, three postings to the Comox Valley combined with her East Coast Newfoundland personality will serve as a natural complement in co-leading the foundation.
Both Stevens and Janes joined the Comox Valley Healthcare Foundation in the summer of 2022 and have been working side-by-side with the former executive director, Jessica Aldred, to prepare for this leadership transition.
Aldred served the CVHF for the past three years and had an undeniable impact on the lives of many residents in the Comox Valley.
“On behalf of the board of directors, we would like to thank Jessica for her dedication to growing the foundation’s ability to support healthcare while nurturing genuine relationships with our partners and community,” said Anglin. “We are excited to continue to build upon the foundation’s history of supporting great care, close to home.
“State-of-the-art equipment and training programs to address needs, helping to reduce wait times, and attracting and retaining healthcare professionals to the region are just some of the many projects that have been supported generously by donors under Aldred’s leadership.”
Over the past three years, through the support of our community, the CVHF has funded a new Stealth Station for complex sinus surgery as part of the recruitment of an ears, nose and throat specialist to the Valley while also expanding cardiac care through the funding of code blue training, mechanical chest compression devices and ultrasounds for the Emergency Department. In the community, the foundation supported cognitive intervention therapy for people with mild to moderate dementia and funded equipment, programs and training at Cumberland Lodge, Glacier View Lodge and The Views.
Janes and Stevens are very much looking forward to their new role.
“We are grateful for the opportunity and appreciate our community’s generosity in enhancing local healthcare. We look forward to doing great things together.”
For more information about the Comox Valley Healthcare Foundation, visit cvhealthcarefoundation.com.
–Comox Valley Healthcare Foundation