The Board of Directors for Huron Hospice is pleased to announce the appointment of a new executive director to follow Shirley Dinsmore who is retiring after serving in that role for 25 years. Willy Van Klooster will take on the position November 25.

Mr Van Klooster was raised on a dairy farm in Perth County before completing a Masters degree at Western University in London. In the years since, he has held a number of leadership roles with various organizations primarily in the healthcare sector. He has been the executive director of non-profit organizations supporting children’s and adult mental health, addiction treatment, primary care and developmental services. Recently he has led organizations in home care and long-term care. Most of his work has been in the London area. Willy and his wife plan to move to Huron County in the spring.

Huron Hospice board chair, Jay McFarlan, said, “The board of directors undertook a comprehensive search and really did their homework to ensure Huron Hospice will have the right leader in the coming years. It is important to us that we have confidence in someone who will serve Huron Hospice and the Huron County community well.” Willy Van Klooster said, “I am looking forward to working with the Huron Hospice board, staff and volunteers - as well as other organizations and people in the county - to ensure the best end-of-life and bereavement services are in place for the community.”

With the opening in May last year of the residential hospice on a quiet rural estate on Highway 8 just west of Clinton, Huron Hospice continues to expand its services. The board has just completed a new Strategic Plan covering the period 2019-2023. It contains a number of new priorities and initiatives to become a Centre of Excellence.

Incoming executive director Willy Van Klooster (left) with retiring executive director Shirley Dinsmore (right) at the front door of Huron Hospice Residence as they “pass the torch.”