Canadian Mental Health Association, Kamloops Branch Board of Directors
Greg Thomson
Greg Thomson is a Partner at Morelli Chertkow LLP in Kamloops, BC
where he maintains a practice in general civil litigation and personal
injury litigation. Greg enjoys spending time with his wife and two
young sons, watching them grow up enjoying everything Kamloops
has to offer. Greg enjoys giving back to his community through his
role on the CMHA Board to help the organization that helps clients in
our community on a day to day basis.
Samantha Hoogstins
Samantha Hoogstins is a Commercial Account Manager with TD
Bank in Kamloops, BC. Sam lives with Bipolar Type 2 disorder and is
extremely thankful for everything CMHA does for the community.
Through the Mental Health First Aid training class, Sam recognized
her disorder and later went through the steps of receiving a
formal diagnosis. To thank CMHA for their part in her journey, she
donates her time to being on the Board. When Sam isn’t working
or volunteering, she can typically be found outdoors with her pet
Sheepadoodle Switch.
Shari Finlay
Shari Finlay was born and raised in Vancouver, BC, and moved to
Kamloops just over 16 years ago to be closer to family. She works for
BC Lottery Corporation as a Leader, and is the Chair of their Mental
Health Ambassador team. Shari has 2 grown girls, one who lives in
Kamloops and the other who lives in Victoria. Family is Shari’s number
1 priority, and she can be found walking her 2 dogs with her husband,
or riding her e-bike through the town. Shari has been giving back
to the communities she’s lived in for many years, and has a strong
passion for Mental Well-being of everyone. Shari is a new member of
the CMHA Board, and is just getting settled in, she looks forward to
bringing her allyship more into the community. Her personal purpose
is to provide a platform where everyone feels they can be heard, feel
safe, and know they belong.
Amisha Patel
Amisha Patel is a practicing registered nurse who graduated from
the University of Alberta BScN Collaborative program. She has
various experience providing care for those suffering from mental
illness, disabilities, dementia and neurodegenerative disorders.
She is currently completing her Master of Nursing degree with a
specialization in education and research. An interest in system
improvement has fed into her Master of Nursing research topic
exploring women’s experiences of breastfeeding support. Amisha is a
proud intersectional feminist and is proud to serve on various boards
and committees within the community. In her free time, she enjoys
spending time in nature, travelling, and trying new food.
Dr. Lawrence Takeuchi
Lawrence is a clinical ‘associate’ professor in the Department of
Anesthesiology, Pharmacology, and Therapeutics, and a clinical
‘affiliated’ professor in the Department of Surgery (Global Surgical
Care Program).
Lawrence has been involved in ‘academic leadership’, administration
and teaching throughout his entire career, both in undergraduate
and post graduate medical education. A former Program Director of
Critical Care Medicine at McMaster University, and was on the original
Examination Committee for Critical Care Medicine, associated with
the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada (RCPSC).
Currently, Lawrence focus is to help contribute to global health
care, providing the best possible medical education and resources.
Locally, in B.C., Lawrence volunteers on the Board of Directors for the
Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA), which supports mental
wellness, and recovery from mental illness and addictions.
Brandon Hayashi
Brandon Hayashi is a 2nd year medical student at UBC currently
residing in Kelowna, BC. Having worked in multiple roles pertaining to
mental health, homelessness, and housing, Brandon joined the CMHA
Board to provide his perspectives and support those living within his
community. He also wants to be a psychiatrist and hopes to return
to Kamloops to provide community-focused psychiatric care upon
completion of his studies.
Shari Caputo
Shari worked at RIH as a RN for 15 years on medical and maternity
units and is currently an Assistant Teaching Professor for the
BScN program at TRU. Shari enjoys teaching in clinical practice,
psychomotor skills and simulation, and has a passion for nursing
history. She joined the CMHA Board with the hope to positively effect
change for people with mental health issues because of her own
family history of mental health illness, in addition to witnessing the
negative impact of the pandemic on the public’s mental health.
Maureen Anderson
Maureen Anderson retired as a psychiatric nurse in Manitoba in 2020,
and moved to Kamloops to enjoy the milder climate and being closer
to her grandchildren. Being on the board of CMHA Kamloops is an
opportunity to contribute to and support mental health services here.
Alec Hermansson
Alec was born and raised in Vancouver, and is a graduate of the
University of Victoria with a degree in Economics. He has been in the
financial services industry in Kamloops since 2016 and is a Portfolio
Manager with CIBC Private Wealth. Alec has been part of the CMHA
Kamloops board for more than 5 years and brings both financial
experiences, as well as experience from past boards to the CMHA
board. Alec is a member of Rotary, volunteering for numerous causes
in Kamloops. Outside of work, Alec enjoys traveling, camping, golf,
and skiing when the snow starts falling.
Kamal Grewal Ankit Mahawadi
Makayla Peverill