Meet Our Board
We are honored to introduce the compassionate and dedicated individuals who make up the Board of Directors of our alliance. Our board is the backbone of our mission, comprised of one board member from each affiliate’s board and the Executive Director of each affiliate. These exceptional leaders bring a wealth of experience and expertise to our organization, and their commitment to our mission is unwavering.
Our board members come from diverse backgrounds, yet share a common passion for providing the highest quality hospice care and support to those in need. They steer our organization with a compassionate heart, ensuring that we continue to fulfill our promise of comfort and dignity during life’s most challenging moments.
Chris “CJ” Hudson
Board President
Care Partners
Read Chris's Bio
C.J. Hudson is a graduate of Western Washington University, where he received his B.A. in Business Marketing. C.J. has worked extensively in health insurance at carriers such as Moda and Kaiser Permanente before joining Regence Blue Cross Blue Shield of Oregon, where he has spent the past twelve years. Currently specializing in Labor & Trust accounts, C.J. brings extensive knowledge to multi-employer arrangements.
C.J. is also a board member of the Labor Employer Relations Association, a group focusing on improvements in management and employee relations. He received his MBA in Healthcare Administration from Oregon Health & Science University in 2014 and has certifications as a Registered Employee Benefits Consultant and Certified Self-Funding Specialist.
Rachel Throne
Board Treasurer, Executive Director
Klamath Hospice and Palliative Care
Read Rachel's Bio
Rachel graduated from Northwest Nazarene University with the goal of becoming an attorney and ultimately working for the FBI. After completing an internship with the Idaho State Police, she filled a temporary position in their accounting department and realized she had a passion for numbers. She then earned an accounting degree at Boise State University (Go Broncos!) where she met her husband. After 9 years as Budget Analyst for the Idaho State Police, she and her husband moved to Klamath Falls to raise their sons and help with his family’s ranching business. It was then in 2005, she started as Financial Manager for Klamath Hospice and Palliative Care and later became the Executive Director in 2014.
David Lerman, MD, JD
Board Secretary
Lumina Hospice and Palliative Care
Read David's Bio
David was born in the Pacific Northwest and lived in Southern California for most of his adult life where he received his education and enjoyed his career as a family physician, healthcare attorney, and bioethicist, David now revels in retirement in both Washington and Oregon. When not volunteering for Lumina Hospice and Palliative care, David applies his remaining skills to cycling, pickleball, baking, sailing, and supporting the South Corvallis Food Bank. He aspires to becoming a writer and advancing his kiteboarding skills. Most of all, David enjoys a quiet evening with friends.
Tom Hottman
Board Member
Klamath Hospice and Palliative Care
Read Tom's Bio
Tom is among ONHA’s founding board members and has volunteered as a director for Klamath Hospice and Palliative Care since 2013. Following a 25-year career, he retired in June 2023 from Sky Lakes Medical Center, a Klamath Falls-based regional health care system. While there he served as manager of community health outreach, patient and employee surveys, and was director of the public relations and marketing department with responsibilities for internal and external communications. Prior to joining the medical center, Tom was an award-winning reporter and editor at the Herald and News newspaper in Klamath Falls.
Dustin Piercy
Board Member, Interim Executive Director
Care Partners
Read Dustin's Bio
Dustin is originally from Denver, Indiana and had the honor of serving in the United States Air Force where he worked in radio and satellite communications. His time in the service allowed him to travel extensively throughout Europe. Dustin shared that Switzerland is the most breathtaking country he has ever seen. He moved to Denver, Colorado to work for Quest Communications, met his husband in Colorado in 2001 and they moved to Camas, Washington in 2016 with their three cats (Fizzy, Leaf, and Rascal).
Dustin entered the health care field as a limited scope radiology technician. In 2011 he completed an MBA with a focus in Healthcare Administration from Colorado Technical University. For the last 20 years he has worked in multiple leadership roles including urgent care, occupational health, student health, surgical, emergency medicine, and advanced imaging. In April of 2024 Dustin joined Care Partners as their Interim Executive Director.
Amy Baird, LCSW
Board Member, Executive Director
Lumina Hospice and Palliative Care
Read Amy's Bio
Amy Baird serves as the Executive Director of Lumina Hospice and Palliative care in Corvallis, Oregon, and provides leadership for the Volunteer, Bereavement and Transitions programs. Prior to her role as Executive Director, Amy was the Social Services Clinical Manager at Lumina, providing leadership and care for Lumina’s social workers and chaplains. Earlier in her career, Amy was a social worker, working with families at all stages throughout her career. In addition to providing social work services to individuals and families, she is approved by the Oregon Board of Licensed Social Workers to provide clinical supervision to social workers seeking their LCSW.