Grand Rapids, Michigan – Thomas W. Czerney and Micah N. Foster have joined the board of directors for Emmanuel Hospice, a faith-based nonprofit provider of compassionate, person-centered hospice care to patients and families in West Michigan.
Czerney and Foster have been appointed to serve on the 12-member board, which oversees operations and works to foster continued growth and success of Emmanuel Hospice, for 3-year terms. Czerney began his duties in April, and Foster began his in May.
“We are so pleased to welcome Thomas and Micah to the board and look forward to their many contributions to our growth and success,” Executive Director Sara Lowe said. “Both bring outstanding resumes and a tremendous breadth of experience to the Emmanuel Hospice board that will be a great benefit to our leadership team and the patients and families we serve.”
Czerney steps into his role with more than four decades of experience as a certified public accountant. He was an active partner with Beene Garter LLP until 2009 after nearly 25 years with the firm. He then retired from the Diocese of Grand Rapids in 2018. Czerney is a member of the American Institute of CPAs, Michigan Association of CPAs, Western Michigan Estate Planning Council and University Club of Grand Rapids.
He has previously served on several community organizations’ boards and councils including Aquinas College, St. Ann’s Home, the Basilica of St. Adalbert, Catholic Charities of West Michigan, Catholic Information Center, the Grand Rapids Community Foundation, Heart of West Michigan United Way and the Western Michigan Estate Planning Council.
Czerney holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration cum laude from Aquinas College. He resides in Grand Rapids with his wife, Janet.
Foster comes to Emmanuel Hospice with a strong background working with physicians, academicians, administrators and leaders in the healthcare field. He currently serves as an urgent care physician assistant with Spectrum Health and as an adjunct faculty member for Grand Valley State University’s Physician Assistant Studies Graduate program. Foster has previously served the Grand Rapids African American Health Institute, first as an education coordinator and then as the organization’s interim executive director.
Involved professionally and in the community, Foster currently serves as president-elect of the National Association of Health Services Executives Board and a member of the GVSU Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Justice Committee. He previously served on the boards of Davenport University College of Health Professionals, National Association of Health Services Executives Steering Committee and Outreach 4 Health Executives. Foster additionally mentors students pursuing careers in medicine and healthcare occupations.
Foster earned his master’s degree in physician assistant practice from Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science and bachelor’s degree in allied health science from GVSU. He additionally holds PA and controlled substance licenses through the state of Michigan and is certified by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants and the Drug Enforcement Administration.
He resides in Hudsonville with his wife, NaQuetta.