Connecting with Nona Tamanaha

For Nona Tamanaha, care has always centered on people. She shows up during tough times, listens with compassion, and offers support when it is most needed. Throughout her career in Human Resources (HR), she has seen how impactful that kind of presence can be. That same dedication to helping others is what ultimately led her to become involved with Pacific Health Ministry (PHM) as a board member.

Nona’s connection with PHM grew out of the relationships she built during her years at The Queen’s Health Systems, where she served as Vice President of HR. When a colleague who had been serving on the PHM board prepared to step down, they reached out and encouraged her to consider joining. While the invitation itself was meaningful, what truly inspired Nona to say yes was the impact she had already seen PHM make within the hospital community.

During her time at Queen’s, Nona saw firsthand how PHM chaplains supported patients, families, and healthcare staff during some of life’s most difficult moments. She worked closely with Reverend Al Miles, a PHM chaplain at The Queen’s Medical Center, whose presence made a lasting impression on those around him. Reflecting on the ministry’s role within the hospital community, Nona shared, “There was so much that they did for our patients and their families, as well as for our associates.” Chaplains sometimes hosted gatherings called “Tea for the Soul,” providing hospital staff members an opportunity to pause, reflect, and talk through the challenges they were facing. These moments created a safe space for caregivers to process difficult experiences and find encouragement before returning to the demanding work they do every day.

In healthcare settings, especially, emotional and spiritual care can be just as important as physical treatment. Families sitting beside a hospital bed often carry fear, worry, and uncertainty. Nona believes PHM chaplains provide an essential source of comfort during those moments. “When your loved one is ill and in the hospital, you’re experiencing a lot of emotions, like worry and fear,” she explained. “Through prayer and faith, the chaplains are able to provide comfort and hope.”

The value of that support is deeply personal as well. When her mother suffered a stroke, the emotional toll on her family was overwhelming. In moments like that, simply having someone there to listen can make an enormous difference. “It’s just good to have someone to talk with,” she said. “You’re going through a lot of emotions.”

Her experiences have also shaped the way she views her work in HR. Supporting employees, she explained, often means recognizing that people carry personal struggles into the workplace. Compassionate leadership requires acknowledging those challenges and helping individuals navigate them with understanding and care.

Serving on the PHM board allows Nona to help sustain the organization’s presence in the community. “Through my experiences, both professional and personal, I’ve seen how powerful it can be when someone simply listens, offers comfort, and reminds people that they are not alone.”