HEART OF HOSPICE EXECUTIVE STAFF
Executive Director/Founder—Jodi Goatcher, BSN, RN, CNP
Jodi completed her bachelor’s degree in nursing at Northern Arizona University, her Women’s Health/Family Planning nurse practitioner training at San Jose State, and her OB/GYN nurse practitioner training and national certification at Emory University in Atlanta.
Her experience includes over 25 years as a nurse, over 15 of those years as a nurse practitioner, and over 9 years providing hospice care. As the co-founder of Heart of Hospice, Jodi’s Heart-to-Heart philosophy of care can be seen throughout the organization.
Jodi is married and has two teenagers. Her interests include playing tennis with her family, gardening, knitting, and travel.
“life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away”
Executive Director, Heart of Hospice Foundation—Cathy Carter
Cathy grew up in Hood River, Oregon, and then attended Judson College, studying Early Childhood Education. She taught pre-school and Early Child Ed for several years then became the Jazzercise District Manager of Oregon, Idaho and Washington for 17 years, which included a tremendous amount of marketing, fundraising, quality control and large events. She has been involved in or planned many philanthropic events throughout the Mid-Columbia, and has been involved with Heart of Hospice for over three years.
Cathy especially appreciates the joy, caring, support, and love the Hospice staff brings to patients and their families with their end-of-life journey, seeing the passion and compassion in each staff member daily. She loves hearing and seeing the difference it makes to the family and patient each time Hospice is made available.
Cathy has a wonderful son who is now in college, three sisters, and one brother. She is the “right smack in the middle” child.
“Eat dessert first … you never know what’s going to happen!”
Medical Director—Dr. Bill Hamilton, MD
Dr. Hamilton practiced general, vascular, and thoracic surgery for 22 years in the Columbia Gorge as an attending physician at Mid-Columbia Medical Center, Providence Hood River Memorial Hospital, and Klickitat Valley Hospital. He is currently Vice-President of Medical Affairs at Mid-Columbia Medical Center.
Dr. Hamilton came to Heart of Hospice as a fulfillment of his desire to provide a different kind of Hospice care. He loves the difference that Heart of Hospice makes in the end of life care for patients and their families, and the wonderful people that he works with through this organization.
He enjoys spending time with his wife, three grandchildren, and fishing with his friends.
”In my practice of surgery, I have always felt that it was very important to be able to deal with end-of-life issues in a caring, compassionate, and realistic manner. Becoming Medical Director for Heart of Hospice has greatly increased my ability to do that. When I saw the vision of Patient and Family care put forward by the team members of this organization, I knew it was something I wanted to be a part of at this time in my career.”
Assistant Medical Director—Dr. Sonia Schuemann, MD
Dr. Schuemann practices Family Medicine and is an attending physician at Mid-Columbia Medical Center. Dr. Schuemann graduated from the University Of Nevada School Of Medicine and is Board Certified in Palliative Care.
She enjoys windsurfing, biking and chasing after her dogs.
“It is an honor to participate in Hospice care, to provide comfort and dignity for individuals and their loved ones touched by a terminal illness. It is a privilege to work with Heart of Hospice’s knowledgeable and talented team of professionals and volunteers.”
Director of Clinical Services—Pam Chandler, BSN, RN
Pam received her Bachelor’s degree in nursing from the University of Portland. She has been a nurse for over 35 years, providing Hospice nursing care in the Columbia Gorge for the past seventeen years. Heart of Hospice also uses Pam’s vast experience in hospice to head up our quality assurance and training programs.
Pam is married with three grown children and 7 grandchildren. Pam loves to spend time with her grandkids, is very active in the Lion’s club as secretary for the past 10 years, and enjoys sewing and scrapbooking.
Director of Palliative Care—Annie Soper, BSN, RN
Annie graduated from Chemeketa Community College, and received her BSN from Walla Walla University. She has been working in Home Health and Hospice for 25 years. She loves learning how to live through the patients and families she cares for. She started working for Heart of Hospice because of the other staff that work and volunteer here.
Annie’s hobbies include hiking, camping, fishing, and gardening. She has three children, three darling grandchildren, and two spoiled dogs.
“Faith isn’t faith until it’s all you are hanging on to.”