We would like to thank everyone who attended Gathering Wisdom for a Shared Journey VI. The event was a huge success with over 900 delegates, and representation from each of the five health regions across BC, including Chiefs, Health Directors, and Provincial and Federal Partners. The conference also had over 70 vendors at our trade show and health fair.
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Gathering Wisdom for a Shared Journey VI was officially opened on the morning of Oct. 22 with the Honouring our Shared Journey: Commemorating the Transfer Ceremony. The ceremony was the largest and only one of its kind to ever take place, marking the historic transfer of health services from Health Canada to the FNHA. Witnesses from each region of the province spoke to the work alongside representatives from the First Nations Health Council, First Nations Health Directors Association, First Nations Health Authority, and federal and provincial partners.
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Forum Program
Download the Miniguide here PDF (2.67 mb)
The miniguide includes descriptions of the presentations, speaker bios, sponsorship info and a background on Gathering Wisdom for a Shared Journey.
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FNHA Leadership Presentations
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The conference included one-of-a-kind presentations by FNHA Vice-Presidents in each of our leadership areas: First Nations Health Benefits; Policy, Planning, and Strategic Services; Human Resources and Organizational Development; Health Services; Innovation and Information Management Services; Finance; and Corporate Services.
Download the presentations below.
First Nations Health Authority Chief Executive Officer Update, Joe Gallagher, FNHA CEO -
PDF Download (2.84 mb)
First Nations Health Authority - Health Partnerships, Joe Gallagher, FNHA CEO -
PDF Download (2.47 mb)
Your Human Resources Partner with Elaine Wass, Vice-President, Human Resources -
PDF Download (1.79 mb)
What’s new in FNHA Health Services? with Yousuf Ali, Vice-President, Health Services -
PDF Download (2.82 mb)
Developing a Regional Approach with Richard Jock, Vice-President, Policy, Planning & Strategic Services -
PDF Download (2.35 mb)
FNHA Finance and Corporate Systems with Greg Shea, Vice-President, Corporate Services, FNHA and Tally Bains, Chief Financial Officer -
The FNHA as Technology Partner with Joseph Mendez, Vice-President, Innovation and Information Management Services -
Health Benefits - What’s new? What’s next? with John Mah, Vice-President, First Nations Health Benefits -
PDF Download (3.07 mb)
Leadership presentation descriptions
Greg Shea, Vice President, Corporate Services
Tally Bains, Chief Financial Officer
Greg Shea will address the role of Corporate Services not only as a key department within the FNHA but also as a central service to BC First Nation communities. His presentation will provide an overview of the following areas:
Transition and capital planning (including analysis of transferred and needed physical assets, such as buildings, office space, medical equipment, vehicles, computers, furniture etc.)
Novation of Contribution Agreements
Risk management and emergency preparedness.
Funding and accountability management
Other corporate functions to ensure business continuity, including employee travel system, insurance
Tally Bains will provide an overview of the FNHA Finance department and the role that the department plays in supporting the operational and fiscal management processes at FNHA, including how directive #7 operating at a high operational efficiency was used as a guiding principle in creating the FNHA finance function.
A dialogue and discussion will occur on the current financial reporting requirements for FN communities, how these requirements can be simplified and the ways in which the FNHA Finance department can support communities in their fiscal management responsibilities. The presentation will also look at other areas for improvement such as standard financial policies, processing of travel claims, and increased electronic deposits.
FNHA Finance and Corporate Systems with Greg Shea, Vice-President, Corporate Services, FNHA and Tally Bains, Chief Financial Officer -
PDF Download (3.05 mb)
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John Mah, Vice President, First Nations Health Benefits
The FNHA assumed the budget and responsibility for the Non-Insured Health Benefits program in on in two phases: Phase 1 on July 2, 2013 and Phase 2 on October 1, 2013. For the first two years the FNHA will "buy-back" claims processing services from Health Canada headquarters as the organization establishes its own systems and processes in collaboration with BC First Nations. In order to make improvements to the current NHIB system, a Health Benefits Improvements Working Group has been established, and a process of community engagement is well underway.
Come out to learn more about what is in store for the present and future of the First Nations Health Benefits program and a roadmap to transfer and transformation of Non-Insured Health Benefits to a more effective and innovative First Nations Health Benefits program from an expert on the subject.
Health Benefits - What’s new? What’s next? with John Mah, Vice-President, First Nations Health Benefits - PDF Download (3.07 mb)
Richard Jock, Vice President, Policy, Planning and Strategic Services
A significant development toward increasing First Nations decision-making and enhancing partner collaboration is the establishment of regional partnership accords, planning cycles and a regional enveloping process. Join Richard Jock for a discussion of how the FNHA is reorganizing to best support regional processes. Learn about the shift to regional implementation of the Health Actions and system transformation agenda and how the FNHA is re-aligning resources to enhance regional decision-making.
The Policy, Planning and Strategic Services unit is responsible for Regional supports, Communications, Community Engagement, Policy and Planning and Health Knowledge & Information.
Developing a Regional Approach with Richard Jock, Vice-President, Policy, Planning & Strategic Services - PDF Download (2.35 mb)
Elaine Wass, Vice President, Human Resources and Organizational Development
Over the past year the FNHA Human Resources Department was responsible for growing the organization from less than 100 staff to approximately 300 by October 1, 2013.
This involved not only a complete re-design of the organizational structure but also of HR Policies, Procedures, Governance, Compensation, Benefits, Classification, Recruitment, Staffing, Reward and Recognition and Learning and Development. In addition, Human Resources Department has been tasked with a unique challenge in ensuring the FNHA is able to mesh a union and non-union environment.
The Human Resources and Organizational Development department not only supports FNHA staff to be their best but in the future will support all BC First Nations Health centres to achieve Human Resource excellence. In this session Elaine Wass will share how the FNHA HR team is preparing to support BC First Nations through the sharing of best practice, templates and tools.
Your Human Resources Partner with Elaine Wass, Vice-President, Human Resources - PDF Download (1.79 mb)
Vice President, Health Services, Yousuf Ali
On October 1, 2013, FNHA assumes responsibility for Health Canada health programs and services, including Health Promotion & Prevention, Health Surveillance, Environmental Public Health Services and Health Protection. Vice President, Health Services, Yousuf Ali will share how things will be different under the FNHA, his experience working with Health Canada for over 30 years, his previous position as the Regional Director of FNIH BC Region, and the bright future ahead for the FNHA.
What’s new in FNHA Health Services? with Yousuf Ali, Vice-President, Health Services - PDF Download (2.82 mb)
Joseph Mendez, CIO and Vice President, Innovation and Information Management Services
Data and information management is a foundational component of BC First Nations health governance and government. It is a tool for supporting informed and strategic decision making with regard to the delivery and transformation of health and wellness programs and services for First Nations in British Columbia. FNHA CIO Joseph Mendez will provide an overview of the role and functions of Innovation and Information Management Services (IIMS) including Innovation and Information Management Services as it relates to the FNHA Transfer, Transition and Transformation Agenda; and Implementing eHealth strategies and initiatives in partnership with First Nations. Learn more about FNHA plans to extend the latest technology and services to BC First Nations communities through eHealth and other related initiatives. Attend this session to learn more about establishing a foundational information management service structure for your health organization and some of the next cutting edge developments in the health technology sector.
The FNHA as Technology Partner with Joseph Mendez, Vice-President, Innovation and Information Management Services -
Evaluation Survey
Did you attend Gathering Wisdom for a Shared Journey VI? Missed out on evaluating our forum?
It's not too late! Fill out our survey here:
http://fluidsurveys.com/surveys/fnha/gw-vi-evaluation
and tell us about your Gathering Wisdom for a Shared Journey experience.
Your feedback will help our organizing committee to plan for Gathering Wisdom VII in May of 2015.
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