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CHCC Board of Trustees

Vincent Buys

Vincent Buys

Board member since 2021, current chair

Born and raised in Whatcom County, Vincent is a graduate of Lynden Christian High School and Bellingham Technical College, with an associate’s degree in electronics. In 2010, Vincent was elected to the Washington State House of Representatives, serving the north Whatcom County community for eight years in the Legislature.

Vincent has served the local church community for more than 20 years in worship ministry and is currently employed by Comcast Government Affairs. He was married to his wonderful wife, Victoria, in 2020, and they welcomed their first child, Valor, at the end of 2021.

“It is a privilege to serve on the board of CHCC and be part of the decision-making that continues the legacy of this organization, which is to serve the staff and residents who call CHCC home. The CHCC community has cared for many of my family members over the years, and it’s an honor to be able to give back.”

Jim Weinert

Jim Weinert

Board member since 2018, current vice-chair

Jim has lived in Whatcom County since 1995. He received a bachelor’s degree from the School of Pharmacy at the University of Washington and brings experience from working in hospitals in the Puget Sound area, as well as retail pharmacies, including the past 13 years as pharmacy manager at the Ferndale Haggen.

Jim and his wife, Kara, a native of Lynden, have raised four kids and are also grandparents. They have both served in various areas at their church, Sonlight, and at Lynden Christian Schools, where Jim completed a term on the school board in 2017.

“I’ve always had an appreciation for the elderly and look forward to serving them daily in my work. I’m grateful for the opportunity to help serve and honor the residents, staff and families associated with Christian Health Care Center and its blessed history.”

Nancy Hendricks

Nancy Hendricks

Board member since 2018, current secretary

Nancy Hendricks was born and raised in Lynden. While in high school, she worked as a nurse’s aide at CHCC. She then completed her nursing degree at Bellingham Technical College and married Dean Hendricks, who owns Ace Hardware in Lynden.

Nancy retired from Lynden Family Medicine in 2015, after working there as a nurse for 12 years. She has strong ties with CHCC. Her mother was a resident for four years, and her father also spent time in the care of CHCC in 2003.

Being of service is important to Nancy. In addition to serving on the board at CHCC, she volunteers at the Hospice House in Bellingham and the Jansen Art Center in Lynden.

“I have seen the blessing that CHCC offers to many lives by providing professional care that meets physical, emotional, social, and spiritual needs. As a family we have witnessed the loving care given by a competent, caring staff. I am grateful for the opportunity to serve this care center by being a member of the board.”

Kevin DeYoung

Kevin DeYoung

Board member since 2020, current treasurer

After graduating from Lynden Christian School, Kevin went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Calvin University. He returned to Whatcom County and started working at Larson Gross PLLC in 1994, becoming a partner at the firm in 2008.

Kevin has served three terms on the board of the Whatcom Community Foundation, advising them on investment and finance issues, and he also serves on the board of directors for the Northwest Washington Estate Planning Council, including a past stint as president.

Periodically during the past 20-plus years, Kevin has volunteered as an assistant football coach at Lynden Christian School. He attends Sonlight Community Christian Reformed Church in Lynden with his wife, Janelle, and their three boys.

“In my work advising families and individuals as a CPA over the past 25-plus years, I have both seen and heard about the excellent quality of care and high standards of CHCC from my clients. When asked to serve as a board member, it was an easy decision to assist in providing guidance and leadership to such a well-run, faith-based organization that serves our community well.”

Joel G. Kok

Joel G. Kok

Board member since 2020

Joel was born and raised in Lynden. He graduated from Lynden Christian School and started working for Farmers Equipment Company. In 1982, he purchased his father-in-law’s insurance business and is currently the owner of Guide Insurance Services.

Joel and his wife, Karen, also a native of Lynden, have raised five children and are grandparents of 10. Joel and Karen have both served in various areas, both in church and at Lynden Christian School.

Christian Health Care Center has been a blessing to our family. We have seen and experienced the loving care provided by the staff of CHCC. I’m honored to be able to serve on the board.

Jeany Aupperlee

Jeany Aupperlee

Board member since 2021

Jeany retired from Lynden Christian Schools in 2021 after 21 years working as the student services director. She currently works remotely as a part-time teacher consultant for All Belong Center for Inclusive Education — an organization that equips congregations and Christian schools to include persons with varied abilities in purposeful, innovative ways. 

Jeany was born and raised in Lynden. She worked as a nursing assistant for CHCC during her teenage years, then went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Dordt College and a master’s in special education from Grand Canyon University. 

Jeany and her husband, Dr. Don Aupperlee, DVM, have four adult children and eight grandkids. They have attended Sonlight Community Church since 1992. 

“When I retired, I wanted to serve the community in a unique manner, something that was not related to education. The health care center felt like a good fit, because I had worked there and my father had lived there for a while. I know CHCC to be a caring community through those experiences and would like to see that fostered and even enhanced so CHCC can continue in our community for decades to come.” 

Emily Gibson, M.D.

Emily Gibson, M.D.

Board member since 2022

Emily Gibson grew up on small dairy and beef farms, first in Stanwood and then in Olympia. She graduated in human biology from Stanford University, where she had the unique opportunity to do wild chimpanzee research with Dr. Jane Goodall in Tanzania, Africa. After graduating from the University of Washington School of Medicine, she completed family medicine residency training at Group Health Cooperative in Seattle, practicing in an inner-city clinic for several years.

She married Dan Gibson, who grew up in Lynden, and the couple moved back north to raise their family, Dan working as a deputy criminal and civil prosecutor for Whatcom County and Emily working as a primary care physician, at Interfaith Clinic, and St. Joseph Hospital Recovery Center. She retired in 2021 as medical director of the Western Washington University Student Health Center after 32 years caring for college students during a transformative time in their lives.

Emily and Dan have three grown children and four grandchildren, and they continue to volunteer in the community while managing their small farm in mid-county. They have attended Wiser Lake Chapel for more than 30 years.

“Having worked as a nurse aide in an extended care facility throughout my high school and college years, I was inspired to pursue medical training as a physician. Dan and I know firsthand the quality of care provided at CHCC — our parents and a grandparent all received excellent support from its dedicated staff in the past. It is my privilege to participate on the CHCC board to not only share my medical perspective, but also in appreciation for this faith-based facility making such a profound difference for a family member during a challenging time of life.”

Jack Veltkamp

Jack Veltkamp

Board member since 2022

Jack graduated from Lynden Christian High School and Calvin University, served in the Air Force as an air traffic control officer, attended graduate school at the University of Washington, and served the Lynden community for 45 years as a general dentist.

Jack and his wife, Diane, have raised five children and have been blessed with 15 grandchildren and one great grandchild. Jack and Diane are avid walkers and have enjoyed hiking in most of the national parks in the country.

“The Christian Health Care Center has been at the foundation of elder care in Lynden for many decades. It has provided a great service to the families of our community, and I am honored to have this opportunity to contribute to its ongoing success.”

Kari Heeringa

Kari Heeringa

Board member since 2023

From 2001 to 2022, Kari worked in the human resources department at Christian Health Care Center. She served as an HR assistant for the first six years and then as the HR director for 14 years. In 2022, Kari transitioned from CHCC to the City of Lynden, where she currently serves as that organization’s HR director.

Kari possesses extensive knowledge of the needs of our staff, gained from her 21-year tenure as an employee and member of our leadership team. She brings a wealth of history and experience to the board.

Raised in Sumas, Kari is a Lynden Christian High School graduate. She now resides in Everson with her husband, Dustin. Together, they have three adult daughters. Kari is a member of the First Christian Reformed Church in Lynden.

“I’ve seen firsthand how much of a blessing CHCC is to this community. After having the privilege of being an employee at CHCC for 21 years, I am now honored to serve on the board.”

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