Joe Gallagher, Chief Executive Officer
Patricia Hunt, Executive Director, CEO Projects and Partnerships
Greg Shea, Executive Director, CEO Office Operations
Chief Medical Office
Dr. Evan Adams, Chief Medical Officer
Dr. Shannon McDonald, Deputy Chief Medical Officer
Richard Jock, Chief Operating Officer
Michelle Adkins, Executive Director, COO Office
Dr. Becky Palmer, Chief Nursing Officer
John Mah, Vice President, First Nations Health Benefits
Sonia Isaac-Mann, Vice President, Programs & Services
Harmony Johnson, Vice President of Policy, Planning and Quality
Nicole Cross, Regional Executive Director, Northern Region
Lisa Montgomery-Reid, Regional Executive Director, Interior Region
Brennan MacDonald, Regional Executive Director, Vancouver Island Region
Chief Executive Office
Joe Gallagher
Chief Executive Officer
Joe Gallagher, Kwunuhmen, is Coast Salish of Tla'amin First Nation ancestry and serves as the Chief Executive Officer for the First Nations Health Authority. Over the past decade, Mr. Gallagher was a lead in the formation of a new health governance partnership between BC First Nations, the province of BC, and the government of Canada which included the negotiation of the successful transfer of federal health services to BC First Nations control. This work, a first for Canada, led to the formation of the First Nations Health Authority, a wellness organization driven by the First Nations holistic and traditional perspective of health and wellness. A senior leader in health for the past 10 years, Joe brings over 25 years' experience in community development, intergovernmental affairs and negotiations. Throughout his career, Joe has worked with all levels of government, First Nations communities and organizations in both rural and urban settings.
Patricia Hunt
Executive Director, CEO Projects and Partnerships
Patricia brings a breadth of health-care leadership experience and skills from a career spanning over 30 years in a variety of leadership positions with the BC Cancer Agency (BCCA), Provincial Health Services Authority (PHSA), Vancouver Coastal Health, Fraser Health and Island Health Authorities.
Most recently, Patricia worked with PHSA in Population and Public Health as Senior Director for Health Promotion, Chronic Disease and Injury Prevention.
Prior to that role she was a Senior Director, Operations, Business and Strategic Planning with the Quality, Safety and Supportive Care division of the BCCA covering the six cancer centres across the province. Previously, she was Director of Corporate Risk Management and Patient/Family Relations for five years with PHSA’s Quality, Safety and Outcome Improvement division.
Patricia is known for developing strong interdisciplinary professional relationships and networks, in particular with the five BC health authorities and the Ministry of Health, among many other partner agencies. She has also built strong connections with the UBC Faculty of Applied Sciences as an adjunct professor and with the Canadian College of Health Leaders as a member and former director with the BC Board Executive.
Patricia holds a Master’s of Science in Primary Health Care and Administration and a Bachelor’s degree in Nursing as well as a number of professional certifications, including Healthcare Risk Management and Quality Academy Certification, among others.
Greg Shea
Executive Director, CEO Office Operations
Greg Shea is of Mi’kmaq ancestry and serves as the Executive Director to the CEO Office at the First Nations Health Authority.
As the Executive Director of the CEO Office, Greg supports the CEO in the oversight of organizational partnerships, internal audits and matrix optimization. He also supports the FNHA’s quarterly review process. Greg leads key files, organizational initiatives and projects including Enterprise Risk Management, Policy Management, Accreditation and the FNHA’s Office Consolidation Project.
Greg has over 15 years of management experience and performance improvement expertise; he has worked with private, not-for-profit and public sector organizations and with all levels of government. Greg has led dozens of performance improvement initiatives with other BC health authorities and public agencies and has participated in multiple projects during the establishment of the First Nations Health Authority.
Mary Procter
Chief Financial Officer and VP Corporate Services
Mary brings to this position vast professional experience with the financial and health-care sectors and has worked with several of our health authority partners. She previously owned a consultancy that focused on the health-care sector and is also a member of BC Ministry of Health Chief Financial Officers committee.
Most recently, Mary served as Vice President Finance & Support Services with our partner, Providence Health Care (PHC). As the VP of Finance & Support Services, Mary has had direct responsibility for finance, strategic management, biomedical engineering, and support services. She was the key executive liaison for the lower mainland consolidated services of IMITS, laboratory, diagnostic imaging, pharmacy, contract management, parking, security, health emergency management and facilities management.
Mary was first appointed the Vice President of Finance and Corporate Affairs for PHC in 2006 and was an integral part of PHC throughout her tenure. She helped guide their organization through some of the most impactful transformations in BC’s health care sector, including the lower mainland consolidation initiatives and PHC redevelopment planning. She is known for bringing a keen and critical eye to the Senior Leadership Table, continually challenging the organization to be more strategic and focused on outcomes.
Mary’s educational background includes a Master's of Arts in Leadership and Training from Royal Roads University, Certified Management Accountant and a Bachelor of Commerce with Honours from Queen’s University.
Away from work, Mary enjoys travel, fitness, golf, jogging, wine tasting, reading and the theatre.
Davis McKenzie
Executive Director, Communications and Public Affairs
Davis McKenzie ʔɑǰɛmɑθot is from Tla'Amin First Nation and has worked in Indigenous communications for 17 years. Over the past decade, he has supported the creation of the First Nations Health Authority and held roles of progressive responsibility.
As Executive Director, Davis supports the senior executive team and the FNHA family to communicate the vision and story of FNHA to stakeholders, the media, community leaders and the public at large.
Davis leads, plans and executes FNHA's communications and media relations strategies, and directs and oversees policies, programs and procedures in the areas of communications, marketing communications, media relations, public affairs, crisis and reputation management, brand management and content management for the external website and social media platforms.
A Masters Candidate in Communication Management at McMaster and Syracuse University, Davis' research is focused on the language of overdose and the use of personal stories to communicate about this public health state of emergency. He is also currently working with UBC Press to turn his granny's book, "Written as I Remember it," into a website.
Chief Medical Office
Dr. Evan Adams
Chief Medical officer
Dr. Evan Adams is of Sliammon First Nation ancestry and serves as the Chief Medical Officer for the First Nations Health Authority.
In his role as CMO, Dr. Adams provides invaluable leadership representing the FNHA, as he works closely with government partners on population and public health matters that affect First Nations and all British Columbians.
Prior to working with the FNHA, Dr. Adams was appointed as Deputy Provincial Health Officer and worked alongside Provincial Health Officer (PHO) Dr. Perry Kendall and Deputy PHO Dr. Eric Young. In this role, he provided independent direction on First Nations and Aboriginal health issues to the Ministry of Health. He also reported to citizens on health issues affecting the general population and set out a path for the improvement of First Nations and Aboriginal health and wellness.
Dr. Adams leads a team of FNHA physicians—health and wellness partners to BC First Nations—who focus on First Nations health and wellness with the aim of creatinga unique health care model that will be the first of its kind in Canada. He contributes to the continued transformation of health care and responds to the wellness directives provided by First Nations communities.
Dr. Adams completed his Doctor of Medicine (MD) at the University of Calgary, his Aboriginal Family Practice residency at St Paul's Hospital/UBC (as Chief Resident), a Masters of Public Health from Johns Hopkins University, and served as the Director of UBC's Division of Aboriginal Peoples Health.
Dr. Adams likes to keep his family close, including his five sons and step-daughter, and honours his family. He is a marathon runner and is beginning to add swimming to his wellness plans. Dr. Adams is notable for his acting role in the movie "Smoke Signals"; he truly enjoys the arts.
Dr. Shannon McDonald
Deputy Chief Medical Officer
Shannon is proudly Métis/Anishinaabe with deep roots in the Red River Valley of Manitoba. She is married with 5 children and one wonderful grandson (and 2 dogs). She lives in Victoria.
She trained as physician, completing her MD in 1998 (at the tender age of 40), followed with post-graduate medical training in Community Medicine and Psychiatry. She has had broad experience at multiple levels of health care service delivery and health administration in challenging environments.
She has worked for over 20 years in the area of First Nations and Aboriginal Health, and is an experienced manager in the federal and provincial government contexts – most recently for 5 years as the Exec Director of Aboriginal Health at the BC Ministry of Health. She joined FNHA in September of 2015 as the Senior Medical Officer for Vancouver Island, but has recently accepted the newly created position of Deputy Chief Medical Officer for FNHA.
Shannon has been recognized for working very effectively in highly complex, multi-stakeholder and multi-jurisdictional environments, capably and strategically representing the needs and interests of First Nations individuals, families and communities.
She is a visionary, result-oriented leader with significant accomplishments in leading transformative change, including implementation of information and communications technologies. She prides herself on having the ability to work collaboratively at all levels of any organization, and in multi-disciplinary and multi-jurisdictional teams.
Deeply committed to the principles of supporting capacity and community development as keys to improving health status among all people, she recognizes and supports the strengths and aspirations of community level stakeholders.
Chief Operating Office
Richard Jock
Richard Jock is a member of the Mohawks of Akwesasne and serves as the Chief Operating Officer for the First Nations Health Authority.
As the COO, Richard's portfolio includes Health Benefits, policy, planning, engagement, service improvements/integration, investment strategies and regional partnership implementation. His position also provides leadership for the building, functioning and implementation of strong partnerships within the First Nations health governance structure and within the health system more broadly.
Richard has worked for the past 25 years for First Nations organizations and the federal government, including numerous positions in the health field. Immediately prior to joining the FNHA, he held the post of Chief Executive Officer for the Assembly of First Nations (AFN). Among his other professional roles, Richard has held senior leadership positions at Norway House Health Services Incorporated, Health Canada, the National Aboriginal Health Organization and Mohawk Council of Akwesasne.
Richard is committed to his wellness and challenges himself to stay active and spend time outdoors. He wears his FitBit daily, rarely missing his 10,000 steps, and enjoys playing racquetball in his spare time.
Michelle Adkins
Executive Director, Chief Operating Officer
Before joining FNHA, Michelle held leadership positions with the Department of Finance, Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada (previously Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development) and Justice Canada, many of which involved providing services to and consulting with First Nations communities. She has a proven track record in managing complex and high-profile projects and policy initiatives, including overseeing significant financial operation and management budgets and provincial-territorial agreements.
Recognized in her field as an innovative, strategic thinker, Michelle has successfully managed significant organizational change throughout her career. She has experience leading team-based reviews of internal processes, resulting in new operational frameworks for quality improvement. She has also led large, multi-disciplinary teams across various locations and provinces.
Michelle brings with her a strong wellness focus—and a very personal connection to the work. She shared that, “I believe my strongest contributions will come not from my years working in the federal government, but from being a member of the Haida Nation and a 14-year breast cancer survivor.”
Dr. Becky Palmer
Chief Nursing Officer
Dr. Becky Palmer serves as the Chief Nursing Officer. She was born in Saskatchewan, raised in Alberta and has been living in BC since 1987.
In her role as CNO, Dr. Palmer leads FNHA's Nursing Services and oversees both operations and transformation of nursing programs with an emphasis on quality. Her initial focus is on implementing the findings and recommendations of the FNHA Nursing Services Review.
Dr. Palmer comes to the FNHA from the BC Children’s Hospital and BC Women’s Hospital and Health Centre. She brings with her 25 years of experience in nursing practice, education and research, as well as 10 years in senior leadership positions. Deeply respected in her field and dynamic in her approach to leadership, she is known for developing and leading innovative health initiatives, creating holistic learning environments, and fostering strong relationships with partner organizations.
Dr. Palmer holds a PhD in Nursing from the University of British Columbia (UBC) and a Master of Nursing. She has Nurse Midwife certification from the University of Alberta and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from UBC.
Married with three school-aged kids, Dr. Palmer has an active home life. She enjoys spending time with her family and its many pets. She loves to read, enjoys yoga, and likes getting outdoors to kayak, canoe and hike. Dr. Palmer loves adventure and enjoys a good challenge – be it physical, intellectual or spiritual.
John Mah
Vice President, First Nations Health Benefits
John Mah is from Edmonton, Alberta and serves as the Vice-President, First Nations Health Benefits.
As VP of Health Benefits, John leads the transfer of the Health Benefits program at the First Nations Health Authority. Areas of responsibility include: Pharmacy, Dental, Mental Health, Medical Transportation, Medical Supplies & Equipment, and Medical Service Plan enrollment.
As a former federal public servant with Health Canada, John has dedicated his professional career to the area of First Nations health since 1996. He most recently held the position of Director, Non-Insured Health Benefits in the Alberta Region.
He received his Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences from the University of Alberta and began his clinical practice in Edmonton. After working a few years in an urban setting, he accepted the challenge of designing, constructing and operating a full service retail pharmacy for Bigstone Cree Nation in Northern Alberta.
John works on his physical wellness by running 5 km on the Seawall three times per week. He looks forward to participating in the annual 10 km Vancouver Sun Run. In addition to running he can be found carrying his golf bag on the golf course most weekends. Coming from Alberta, John is ecstatic about being able to golf every month of the year rain or shine. He recently started cycling and has his sights set on participating in this year's Grand Fondo ride from Vancouver to Whistler.
Vice President, Programs & Services
Sonia Isaac-Mann is of Listuguj Mi’gmaq First Nation ancestry and serves as the Acting VP, Policy, Planning, Programs & Community Wellness Services.
As a key member of the Chief Operating Officer’s team, Sonia leads Community Health and Wellness Services and brings a community-oriented approach to the delivery of services and program supports to BC First Nations. A critical function of her role is to provide professional advice to BC First Nations, First Nation Health Service Organizations, Health Directors and Regional Directors.
Sonia has worked in the area of First Nations health for over 20 years and has extensive community, regional and national experience. She advocates for culturally-appropriate health policies that lead to better programs and health service delivery for First Nations. Prior to joining the FNHA in 2015 Sonia worked with the Assembly of First Nations (AFN) as the Associate Director of Health.
Sonia holds a Master of Science degree in Medical Sciences – Public Health Sciences with a focus on Population Health from the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Alberta. She also holds a Bachelor of Science Degree from Bishop’s University.
Neil McInnes
Executive Director of the COO Office
As the Executive Director of the COO Office, Neil supports the COO, assisting with the oversight of the FNHA’s administrative functions and providing senior leadership and support to the COO Office and other leaders within corporate operations. In this newly created role, Neil will work to deliver on the COO mandate which includes a service, quality improvement, strategic financial reporting and leadership development agenda.
Neil will also support developing enhanced collaboration and alignment among internal partners with an immediate focus on HR, IIMS, payroll and performance reporting initiatives. Finally, Neil is expected to lead the development of a business development framework for evaluating strategic opportunities for the FNHA.
Neil is a Chartered Professional Accountant with over 10 years of management experience within government, private and non-profit organizations. Neil has successfully led a variety of organization-wide improvement initiatives. Most recently, Neil served as the Lil’wat Nation’s Chief Financial Officer, where he successfully led the Financial Management Systems Certification process. Prior to serving the Lil’wat Nation community, Neil held progressively more responsible financial roles within the Sport and Tourism sectors for organizations including Whistler Sports Legacies Society, Tourism Whistler and Whistler Blackcomb. Neil also holds a Bachelor of Commerce Degree from Royal Roads University.
Away from work, Neil is passionate about the enjoying the outdoors with his young family.
With his strong systems background, financial leadership strength, skilled communication and collaborative, team-oriented approach, Neil is a welcome addition to the COO office.
Vice President Information Management Information Technology (VP IMIT) and Chief Information Officer (CIO)
Stuart brings over 30 years of experience in information management and information technology leadership, which includes leading large-scale, business-led and IT transformation initiatives at the University of British Columbia (UBC) and Vancouver International Airport (YVR). He is strategic with a curious mindset and believes in innovation through disciplined program and risk management practices.
He has experience in a diverse set of industries, including consumer retail, transportation, and higher education. His principal contributions have been in technology management, shared services delivery, people development and corporate governance.
Stuart holds a Masters of Business Administration from API University and a Bachelor of Engineering from Royal Military College of Canada. He is also certified in PROSCI Change Management and is a Project Management Professional from the Project Management Institute. He enjoys cycling, squash, tennis, hiking, snowshoeing and photography.
Policy, Planning and Quality Office
Harmony Johnson
Vice President of Policy, Planning and Quality
Harmony Johnson is of Sliammon First Nation (Coast Salish) ancestry and is the Acting Vice President of Policy, Planning and Quality.
As Acting Vice President of PPQ, Harmony will provide leadership to the PPQ Team and work towards consolidating thought leadership and overseeing key organizational processes for strategy and policy development, strategic and corporate planning, intergovernmental relations, quality and governance of strategic projects.
Harmony has over 10 years of experience working in First Nations health and has served in a number of policy and executive roles in BC First Nations organizations, including Director of Policy for the First Nations Summit Society. She has also acted as Chief Executive Officer for BC First Nations Forestry Council.
Harmony collaborated with her grandmother Elsie Paul in writing the book Written as I remember it. The book takes a glimpse into the life of a Coast Salish woman and the history of the Sliammon people as a fruitful model for collaborative research and storytelling.
Harmony’s personal wellness is supported through running and hiking, time with family, and cooking. Her public wellness accountability commitments include reaching a goal of 10,000 steps per day for 350 days each year, and remaining commercial tobacco-free.
Regional Executive Team
Nicole Cross
Regional Executive Director, Northern Region
Nicole Cross is a member of Noxs Niisyuus and belongs to the Killer Whale Clan and the House of Niisyuus, and was raised in the Nisga'a community of Laxgalts'ap. She has supported health service improvements for northern communities in various capacities for over a decade. Her career in health administration started in 2011 as an Aboriginal Health Patient Liaison, and continued in the role of Health Director with the community of Tsay Keh Dene. Nicole joined the FNHA in 2012 as the Regional Health Liaison and began her current role as the Regional Director in 2014. She is currently completing her Master's in Health Administration at the Faculty of Medicine at UBC.
Nicole focuses on the strength of community and honouring the direction and voice of our northern Nations through engagement, clear communication, collaborative planning and strong respectful partnerships. She supported the consensus-building process to establish the First Nations Health Authority, the Northern Partnership Accord and the Northern First Nations Health and Wellness Plan with guidance from communities. Since then, Nicole has overseen the growth of services the FNHA provides as a direct result of community-led discussions. Nicole helps guide the development and implementation of key health initiatives in the North.
Lisa Montgomery-Reid
Regional Executive Director, Interior Region
Lisa Montgomery-Reid is a member of the Lower Similkameen Indian Band, Syilx Nation. Lisa holds a Master of Arts Degree in Policy and Program Development from the University of Victoria. Her research focused on the challenges and opportunities of First Nations Health Transfer.
Lisa has previously served as a Health Director, Band Manager, Council member, Regional Director and on many provincial committees, which has provided her with a "big picture" overview of the health landscape. Lisa is a people person with a positive outlook and a proven capacity for effective engagement and building collaborative working relationships at all levels. Lisa's strong work ethic and cultural teachings, inherited from her parents, will serve her well in the position of Executive Director.
Brennan MacDonald
Regional Executive Director, Vancouver Island Region
Brennan MacDonald is a member of Cowichan Tribes and has served as the Regional Director for Vancouver Island with First Nations Health Authority for the past four and a half years.
In that role, she provided leadership to a regional team that facilitates community-based engagement and decision-making at a regional level; development and implementation of the Regional Health and Wellness Plans; and strategies for investment of the regional envelope. Brennan's leadership plays a pivotal role in the visioning, development, and strengthening of FNHA's partnership with Island Health and collaboration with regional health systems partners.
Michelle DeGroot
Regional Executive Director, Fraser Salish
Michelle DeGroot is Tk'emlups te Secwepemc and has worked with First Nations and Aboriginal non-profits for over 20 years. Michelle served as the VP, Policy and Research for the First Nations Health Council. Prior to her work with the FNHC, Michelle served for five years as Policy Analyst, Health Careers Manager and Director of the First Nations Chiefs' Health Committee.
While working with the First Nations Health Authority, Michelle has been the Executive Director of Health Actions and was responsible for overseeing the process, on behalf of the FNHA, for implementation of the various Health Actions outlined in the Transformative Change Accord: First Nation Health Plan and the Tripartite First Nation Health Plan. After this, she was the Executive Director of the Office of the Chief Operating Officer, supporting the administration of the Policy, Program and Community Services portfolio of the COO.
Following this, Michelle served as the Executive Director, Programs and Community Wellness services. In this role, Michelle worked alongside partners from the federal/provincial governments, health authorities, First Nations/Aboriginal and public sectors in the development and implementation of programs and services for First Nations health and wellness. She provided executive oversight to funding arrangements, eHealth, community wellness services, health protection and environmental health.
Michelle has since moved to the position of Executive Director Fraser Salish Region. This role supports the regional team and works alongside Fraser Salish communities and partners, such as Fraser Health, to implement the various partnership accords and Regional Health and Wellness Plan.
Leadership Statement
FNHA's
Leadership Statement orients all FNHA employees toward our shared mission and values. In March 2015, the Senior Executive Team verbally committed to and signed the Leadership Statement in the presence of over 400 staff members. Following this ceremony, CEO Joe Gallagher challenged each FNHA team to similarly adopt the Statement in a meaningful way.
This Statement is used as an orientation tool for all FNHA employees to build a common understanding of our vision, "Healthy, Self-Determining and Vibrant BC First Nations Children, Families and Communities."
To watch FNHA's Chief Medical Office and Communications teams adopt the Leadership Statement, watch the video links below.
Leadership adoption video
