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.
Bio and picture forthcoming
Chief Information Office
Stuart Bourhill, 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.
Chief Medical Office
Dr. Nel Wieman, Acting Chief Medical Officer
Dr. Nel Wieman is the Acting Chief Medical Officer (A/CMO) for the First Nations Health Authority (FNHA) in British Columbia, where she has worked for the past 5 years. She is Anishinaabe (Little Grand Rapids First Nation, Manitoba) and lives, works and plays on the unceded territory of the Coast Salish peoples – the səl̓ílwətaʔɬ (Tsleil-Waututh), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam) Nations. She completed her medical degree and psychiatry specialty training at McMaster University. Canada's first female Indigenous psychiatrist, Dr. Wieman has more than 20 years' clinical experience, working with Indigenous people in both rural/reserve and urban settings. Dr. Wieman served as the President of the Indigenous Physicians Association of Canada (IPAC) from 2016 - 2022.
Dr. Kelsey Louie, Acting Deputy Chief Medical Officer
Dr. Kelsey Louie, Acting Deputy Chief Medical Officer, is Coast Salish from the Tla’amin First Nation in Powell River, British Columbia (BC). He served as Medical Officer and Senior Medical Officer in the OCMO from 2017 to 2023 before agreeing to take on the role of Acting Deputy Chief Medical Officer. A graduate of UBC’s Indigenous Family Practice residency program, Dr. Louie also works as a primary care provider in Victoria, BC, providing both hospital-based care and virtual health services with the First Nations Virtual Doctor of the Day program. He continues to promote and support FNHA’s health and wellness vision by integrating cultural safety and humility into both his clinical and non-clinical work, and aims to continue being active as a wellness champion.
Dr. Evan Adams, Deputy Chief Medical Officer
Dr. Evan Adams, Deputy Chief Medical Officer, Public Health (part-time), is a member of, and grew up in the territories of, the Tla’amin First Nation in Powell River, British Columbia (BC). He completed his medical degree at the University of Calgary, an Indigenous Family Practice residency at St Paul’s Hospital/University of BC (as Chief Resident), and a Master of Public Health from Johns Hopkins University. From 2020 to 2023, Dr. Adams was Deputy Chief Medical Officer of Public Health at Indigenous Services Canada, where his focus was the national COVID-19 response and recovery. From 2014 to 2020, he was the FNHA’s inaugural Chief Medical Officer (CMO). His role at the FNHA included setting up the newly created OCMO, monitoring and reporting on the health of the First Nations population, developing new ways to focus on wellness from a First Nations perspective, and advocating for cultural safety across the health system. Before joining the FNHA the first time in 2014, Dr. Adams served as BC’s Deputy Provincial Health Officer from 2012 to 2014, where he provided direction on First Nations health issues to the Ministry of Health, reported to First Nations citizens on health issues affecting the general population, and set out a path for the improvement of First Nations health and wellness.
Community Health and Wellness, Programs and Services
Michelle DeGroot, Interim Vice President, Community Health and Wellness, Programs and Services
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 then moved to the position of Vice President, Regional Operations, Fraser Salish. This role supported the regional team and worked alongside Fraser Salish communities and partners, such as Fraser Health, to implement the various partnership accords and Regional Health and Wellness Plan.
Michelle has since moved to the position of Interim Vice President, Community Health and Wellness, Programs and Services.
Duanna Johnston-Virgo, Executive Director, Mental Health and Wellness
Bio and picture forthcoming
Corporate Services
Greg Shea, Vice President, Health Infrastructure and Development
Greg Shea is of Mi’kmaq ancestry and serves as the Vice President, Health Infrastructure and Development at the First Nations Health Authority.
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.
Office of Chief Nursing Officer
Monica McAlduff,
Acting Vice President, Quality, Cultural Safety and Humility
Monica McAlduff is from the Secwepemc Nation and serves as the Acting Vice President, Quality, Cultural Safety and Humility and the Office of the Chief Nursing Office (OCNO). As part of the OCNO, the portfolio includes, Clinical Quality, Collaborative Practice, Clinical Education and System Redesign including Community Based Testing. Monica proudly joined the FNHA in January 2020 as the Executive Director within the OCNO bringing with her over 30 years in health care, first as a Registered Psychiatric Nurse in Vancouver and the Lower Mainland and progressing to several leadership roles within the health care system.
Monica holds a Bachelor of Health Sciences in Psychiatric Nursing from Thompson Rivers University as well as a Masters of Arts in Leadership and Training from Royal Roads University. She has held numerous leadership roles across the system of care and is known for her strong client and family advocacy and passion for improving quality and safety to the health care system. Monica's leadership approach is from a humility lens and seeing the strength and resilience that First Nation's people possess, as the way to change the system.
Outside of her professional life, Monica enjoys being with her husband and her son as well as experiencing the outdoors on the North Shore. She has a passion for connecting with people and experiencing the fullness that life has to offer.
Gary Housty, Acting Executive Director, Nursing
Gary Housty is from Haíɫzaqv First Nation in Bella Bella, British Columbia (BC). He holds the traditional name K̓vsḷsm̓ṇixv (One Wolf). Gary serves as Acting Executive Director, Office of the Chief Nursing Officer (OCNO) with the First Nations Health Authority (FNHA).
This position holds delegated leadership and line responsibility for FNHA nursing services in BC, providing consultative and advisory services to First Nation communities. As the Acting Executive Director, Gary will work to develop and strengthen internal and external partnerships provincially and nationally, as well as lead and support organization-wide strategic initiatives.
Over the past 22 years, Gary has worked in various nursing and health leadership positions, initially as a specialized emergency room nurse in a busy trauma center in the Lower Mainland. He graduated with a Registered Nurse Diploma from the BC Institute of Technology (BCIT) in 2002, followed by a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of British Columbia (UBC) in 2007 and completed a Master of Arts in Leadership, Health Specialization program at Royal Roads University in 2015. Gary joined the FNHA in January 2019 as Director, Nursing Operations within the OCNO.
Gary is goal-orientated, values driven and passionate about leadership, leadership development and positively impacting patient care services, patient safety and promoting health services offered in a culturally safe, culturally sensitive and culturally competent manner.
His vision is to improve health programming, to enhance patient services and to innovate interweaving strategy and organizational change with the aim to support BC First Nations individuals, families and communities to achieve and enjoy the highest level of health and wellness.
Gary upholds the values and responsibilities in honoring his ancestors, and creating a better world for his children and their future generations. In his personal time, Gary enjoys adventures with his wife and three young boys as well as traveling, reading, and is appreciative to be on the journey of fatherhood giving him a renewed sense of family, love, community and hope.
First Nations Health Benefits and Services
John Mah, Vice President, First Nations Health Benefits and Services
John Mah is from Edmonton, Alberta and serves as the Vice President, First Nations Health Benefits and Services.
As VP of Health Benefits and Services, 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 and 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.
Dr. Terri Aldred, Medical Director, Primary Care
Dr. Terri-Leigh Aldred is the Medical Director for the FNHA. She is leading community-based First Nations Primary Care Initiatives (FNPCI), as well as the First Nations Virtual Doctor of the Day (VDOD) and First Nations Virtual Substance Use and Psychiatry Services (VSUPS) to engage medical affairs matters related to our programs and services.
She is Dakelh (Carrier) from the Tl’Azt’En Nation located north of Fort St. James. She is Lysiloo (Frog) Clan, who are traditionally known as the voice of the people. She follows her mother’s and great-grandmother’s line Cecilia Pierre (Prince).
Dr. Aldred grew up in both the inner city of Prince George and on the Tachet reserve (in Lake Babine Territory). These experiences helped motivate her to go to medical school so she could give back to her community. Terri received a Bachelor of Health Science degree and a Doctor of Medicine degree from the University of Alberta. She went on to complete the Indigenous Family Medicine residency program through the University of British Columbia.
At present, Terri’s other roles include being the site director for the Indigenous Family Medicine Program, family physician for the Carrier Sekani Family Services Primary Care team, which serves 12 communities in north-central BC, and the Indigenous Lead for the Rural Coordination Centre of BC (RCcBC).
Public Health Response
Katie Hughes, Vice President, Public Health Response
Katie joined the FNHA in 2018 and previously served as the FNHA’s Executive Director, Mental Health and Wellness. In this position, she oversaw FNHA’s inaugural First Nations Mental and Health and Wellness Summit, which brought together community health leaders and system partners to explore the best of western and cultural and traditional practices to support wellness. She also worked alongside communities, Nations and federal and provincial government partners in leading FNHA’s implementation of the Tripartite Partnership to Improve Mental Health and Wellness Services and Achieve Progress on the Determinants of Health and Wellness.
Katie has been a key contributor to FNHA’s emergency response structure through wildfires, floods, the overdose public health emergency and COVID-19. This experience, alongside her project management knowledge and skills, have well positioned her to lead FNHA’s public health response.
Before joining FNHA, Katie worked in progressively more senior roles related to mental health and wellness for close to 25 years in local, regional and provincial contexts and across the social determinants of health. Katie holds a Master of Arts degree in Management, a Bachelor of Arts (Honors) degree in psychology and is a certified Project Management Professional.
Rick Milone, Vice President, Human Resources
Rick has specialized in the area of human resources for over 20 years with organizations in the BC Public Sector. Rick is a firm believer in building progressive work environments where all employees have the opportunity to learn, grow, and make a meaningful contribution. Prior to coming to the First Nations Health Authority, Rick was the Director of Human Resources for BC Hydro, responsible for developing a range of services focussed on building a sustainable, innovative culture. Prior to this role, Rick led teams in HR shared services, Employee Relations, Recruitment, Total Compensation, and Health and Wellness. In addition, Rick has been seconded to a variety of projects with the mandate to improve governance, safety, and operational performance.
Rick has a Bachelor of Commerce degree from UBC in Industrial Relations and Organizational Effectiveness, maintains his registration as a Chartered Professional in Human Resources (CPHR) and Certified Compensation Professional (CCP), and has served on the board for the Architectural Institute of British Columbia.
Outside of work Rick supports his personal wellness by exploring the beauty of the North Shore trails with his wife, children and overly enthusiastic dog; by strapping on the skates to chase a frozen dream from his youth; and by memorializing precious moments in time through the lens of his camera.
