Announcing Our Interim Executive Director of the Institute for Palliative Care

Dear colleagues,

I am pleased to share that Dr. Sharon Hamill has agreed to serve as the interim executive director of the CSU Shiley Haynes Institute for Palliative Care. Dr. Hamill brings extensive leadership experience to the position as well as a deep knowledge base in the field of palliative care.  As the CSU Shiley Haynes Institute for Palliative Care celebrates its 10-year anniversary, Dr. Hamill will lead the institute into a next phase of development that will focus on meeting its academic mission and attaining its vision of partnership across the CSU.

During her 25-year career at CSUSM, Dr. Hamill has held a number of leadership positions, including the chair position for the psychological sciences department and director for the child and adolescent development program, which she co-created. Dr. Hamill also has served as the general education assessment coordinator, director of academic assessment and director of engaged learning. She also has served in leadership positions in the community, including as board chair for the Elizabeth Hospice, founding member and secretary of the San Diego Coalition for Compassionate Care, and chair of the education/programs committee of the Alzheimer’s Association San Diego-Imperial Chapter. Dr. Hamill’s most recent leadership experience includes service as the Academic Senate chair (2019-21) and as a Western Association of Schools and Colleges commissioner. Dr. Hamill’s leadership has been characterized by collaborative work with students, staff, faculty, administrators and community members.

In addition, Dr. Hamill has expertise in the field of palliative care. She served as the founding faculty director of the CSU Institute of Palliative Care at CSUSM. She launched the campus institute in 2015 and built it into a robust and vibrant office that houses impactful programs. Under Dr. Hamill’s guidance, the campus institute provided palliative care education to more than 10,000 San Diego community members through innovative programs such as Aging With Grace and the Youth Resiliency Project.  Additionally, she led the team that established the “What Gives Your Life Meaning?” campus campaign, which was trademarked and led to the drafting of a manual describing how to create such a campaign in schools, businesses and the health care system.  

Dr. Hamill’s leadership, curriculum development and palliative care have been recognized by numerous awards, including the 2015 Harry E. Brakebill Distinguished Professor Award for excellence in teaching, research and service (CSUSM’s highest faculty honor) and the 2020 CSU Faculty Innovation and Leadership Award.

I am excited to work with Dr. Hamill on guiding the institute through its next phase of development and impact. Please join me in welcoming Dr. Hamill to the team. 

Sincerely,

Patricia Prado-Olmos

Chief Community Engagement Officer