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.
Naomi has an academic background in Criminology, Aboriginal Trauma, and Conflict Resolution rooted in her studies at the Malaspina College and Justice Institute of BC. This contributes to over 30 years of experience that she brings with her in facilitating spaces for dialogue and engagement to cultivate meaningful partnerships with First Nations. Her professional career reflects a lifelong journey of passionately advocating for improvements in access to culturally safe services for Indigenous peoples across BC.
Since 2014, Naomi has contributed to advancing monumental and exciting tasks ranging from FNHA’s transition to transformation of programs and services in BC and the Vancouver Coastal Region. Grounded by her strong First Nations values that engagement is a traditional Indigenous way of knowing, being, and doing, she has supported the Vancouver Coastal Regional Caucus’ progress towards FNHA’s shared vision. Naomi has provided services and leadership in a number of roles, including Regional Manager, Regional Director and Director of Regional Engagement.
Greg Shea is of Mi’kmaq ancestry and serves as the Executive Director, Community Capital and Metro Vancouver Office Project (MVOP) 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
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.
Monica McAlduff, Executive Director, Nursing Services
Monica McAlduff is from the Secwepemc Nation, and serves as the Executive Director, Office of the Chief Nursing Office. As part of the Chief Nursing Office, Monica oversees the portfolios of Collaborative and Professional Practice, Nursing Operations and Health Protection.
Monica proudly joined FNHA in January 2020, bringing with her over 30 years in health care, first as a Registered Psychiatric Nurse in the Vancouver Lower Mainland and progressing to director roles within Vancouver Coastal Health.
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 patient and family advocacy and passion for improving access to services. Additionally, Monica has brought her coaching experience to her leadership roles to develop her teams and focused on a number of initiatives to bring improved system redesign to the health care setting.
Outside of her professional life, Monica takes great pride in her family, with her husband, two children and her 90 pound labradoodle. For personal wellbeing and life harmony, Monica keeps active with outside activities: hiking on the North Shore mountains, backpacking, mountain biking and skiing.
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).
Megan Hunt, Acting Executive Director of Primary Healthcare and eHealth
Megan Hunt is the Acting Executive Director of Primary Healthcare and eHealth and currently resides in northern BC in the Carrier and Sekani territory. She began her journey with the First Nations Health Authority (FNHA) in 2014 as the Project Director of eHealth as she lead the First Nations Telehealth Expansion Project. Following this, Megan became the Director of eHealth to support the ongoing implementation and transformation of Action Item 23 of the Transformative Change Accord: First Nations Health Plan to create a fully integrated clinical telehealth network.
In 2016, Megan was the Regional Director for the Northern Region and this position provided her with an opportunity to utilize her leadership experience in health and child and family services within Northern Indigenous communities and organizations in a very integrated manner. Most recently, she held the role of Director of Primary Care and eHealth with responsibility for the strategic leadership and direction to operationalize fully aligned and integrated primary health care and eHealth, including Joint Project Board (JPB), First Nations Led Primary Care Initiatives and the First Nations Virtual Doctor of the Day to advance First Nations health and wellness in BC.
In this role, Megan has provided strategic leadership in the ongoing development and implementation of the FNHA Primary Care ++ model of health services and the important role that building inter-professional team-based care plays in the delivery of quality indigenous health services.
Public Health Response
Katie Hughes, Vice President, Public Health Response
Bio and picture forthcoming
Human Resources
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.
Policy, Planning and Quality
Leanne Martinson, Executive Director, Policy, Planning and Quality
Bio and picture forthcoming
