Volunteer Hospice of Clallam County last week announced the hiring of new executive director Dr. Supriya (Priya) Jayadev.
She will start with the nonprofit in Sept. 6, the organization noted.
“Priya brings with her management experience in the nonprofit world as well as a successful business career,” VHOCC board president Peter Raiswell said in a press release. “We are confident she can help lead our hospice forward as we continue to serve the palliative and hospice care patients of Clallam County.”
In the statement, Jayadev said, “My family and I have benefited tremendously from hospice services in the past, and I am excited to become a part of an organization that has provided such invaluable end-of-life comfort and support for over 40 years. I hope to support and evolve Rose Crumb’s vision to provide free heartfelt end-of-life care in Clallam County.”
Jayadev holds a doctorate in cell biology from Duke University. Prior to moving to the Olympic Peninsula in 2011, she worked at Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, within the company’s research and development organizations.
In October 2013, Priya was selected executive director of Clallam Mosaic, a community-based nonprofit in Port Angeles serving individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
”Through her tenure, Priya built strong ties and partnerships in the community, region, and state,” VHOCC representatives said. “She identified and increased programs to better meet community needs. She grew and diversified Clallam Mosaic’s budget, developed and implemented programs, and extended the organization’s reach, impact, and visibility.”
Jayadev serves on the board of Nonprofit Association of Washington, and is a governor-appointed member of the Washington ABLE Board and a Collaborative Thought Partner with the Department of Health.
‘Tea to Die For’
Volunteer Hospice of Clallam County hosts Tea to Die For,” a Death Café series event set for 4-5 p.m. Monday, Aug. 8, in the KSQM 91.5 FM community room, 609 W. Washington St., and 4-5 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 24, in the upstairs craft room at the Port Angeles Senior Center, 328 E. Seventh St.
Tea, coffee and cookies will be served. The groups are free and open to all.
Conversations are held every second Monday in Sequim and every fourth Wednesday in Port Angeles. They are meant to foster relaxed and informal discussions surrounding death and dying and open to anyone curious or apprehensive about death, organizers say.
For more information, call 360-452-1511.
About Volunteer Hospice of Clallam County
VHOCC’s mission is “to provide physical, emotional, and spiritual support to terminally ill patients and their families with free around-the-clock registered nursing availability and trained volunteers.” This support, organization representatives say, enables patients to live out their final days as fully and comfortably as possible and gives caregivers needed respite.
VHOCC also provides grief support to families and anyone in the community who has experienced the death of a loved one. The organization also supports a medical equipment lending program and provides educational programs to normalize conversations around death and dying that benefit the community. All services and programs are free of charge.
Based in Port Angeles, VHOCC cares for more than 100 patients, their families and loved ones at any given time. VHOCC is governed by a board of eight directors with a staff of 12 nurses and mission support staff, and more than 150 active volunteers.
