Monica is of mixed ancestry from the Secwepemc Nation on her mother's side and with French Canadian background on her father's side. A proud member of the Adams Lake Indian Band, Monica brings with her over 30 years of experience from numerous roles across the system of care, working directly with patients as a Registered Psychiatric Nurse before progressing to several leadership roles.
Monica holds a Bachelor of Health Sciences degree in Psychiatric Nursing from Thompson Rivers University and a Masters of Arts in Leadership and Training from Royal Roads University. She is known for her strong client and family advocacy and passion for improving quality and safety in the health care system. Monica's leadership approach is from a humility lens and seeing the strengths and resilience that First Nations people possess, as the way to change the system.
Outside of her professional life, Monica enjoys experiencing the outdoors with her husband and son in the territories of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations where she and her family now live. She has a passion for connecting with people and experiencing the fullness that life has to offer.
Dr. Nel Wieman, Chief Medical Officer
Dr. Nel Wieman is the Chief Medical Officer (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, Deputy Chief Medical Officer
Dr. Kelsey Louie, 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 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.
Gary Housty, Vice President, Quality and Chief Nursing Officer
Gary Housty is from Haíɫzaqv First Nation in Bella Bella, British Columbia (BC). He holds the traditional name K̓vsḷsm̓ṇixv (One Wolf). Gary serves as Vice President, Quality and Chief Nursing Officer with the 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 Vice President, Quality and Chief Nursing Officer, 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.
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.
Katie Hughes, Vice President, Public Health Response and Acting Chief Operating Officer (including First Nations Health Benefits)
Katie joined the FNHA in 2018 and previously served as the FNHA’s Acting Chief Operating Officer. 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.
Stuart Bourhill, Chief Information Officer and Vice President, Information Management and Information Technology
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.
Chris Mullen, Vice President, Finance
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Chris Mullen is a proud member of Gambler First Nation from Manitoba. He has over 20 years of experience working with private and public companies, First Nation governments, as well as economic development corporations. He most recently served in the capacity of Director, Funding Arrangements with the FNHA’s Finance team.
Chris spent the first half of his career with PricewaterhouseCoopers in Vancouver providing tax advisory, compliance and audit services. For the past 10 years, he has worked exclusively with First Nation and Indigenous communities and organizations across Canada in strategic planning, economic development and finance operations. He takes great pride in giving back to First Nations communities and currently holds a seat as board member for the Tla’amin Nation’s economic development group.
Chris holds a Bachelor of Business of Administration degree and is a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA). He was born and raised and currently lives with his wife and two sons in North Vancouver on the beautiful unceded territories of the Musqueam, Squamish and Tsleil-Waututh Nations.
Michelle DeGroot, Vice President, Policy, Planning and Strategic 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 Vice President, Policy, Planning and Strategic 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.
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.
