Richard Jock is a member of the Mohawks of Akwesasne and serves as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the First Nations Health Authority (FNHA). The FNHA plans designs, manages, delivers and funds the delivery of health programs to over 200 diverse First Nation communities and citizens across British Columbia.
As CEO, Richard is a committed leader in building meaningful partnerships with First Nations communities and health system partners to ensure an exceptional First Nations health governance structure in British Columbia. Richard believes in a transformational leadership approach with a focus on systems change, sustainability, diversity, inclusion, and advancing e-health and virtual health services.
Richard brings lived experience and professional skills as a strong First Nations advocate in health and wellness settings and government relations. Over the past 25 years, Richard has held various positions in the health field for First Nations organizations and the federal government. Prior to joining the FNHA, Richard served as the CEO for the Assembly of First Nations and held senior leadership roles with Health Canada, the National Aboriginal Health Organization, and the Mohawk Council of Akwesasne.
Richard leads by example through a personal commitment to his own health and wellness. He challenges himself daily to remain active through morning walks, beating his previous step-count, reading inspiring books, and playing golf in his spare time. Richard played and coached Lacrosse for many years and remains an avid fan. Lacrosse occupies a special significance for its values, traditions and competitive spirit.
Max Dokuchie, General Counsel and Chief Privacy Officer
Bio and picture forthcoming
Chief Finance Officer
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.
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, 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, 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 (On sabbatical)
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.
Policy, Planning and Strategic Services
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.
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,
Vice President Quality, Cultural Safety and Humility and Chief Nursing officer
Monica joined First Nations Health Authority in 2020 and is from the Secwepemc Nation. She has been a grateful guest living and working on the Traditional Unceded Territories of the Musqueam, Squamish and Tsleil-Waututh Nations. Monica serves with gratitude and honour as the Vice President, Quality, Cultural Safety and Humility and the Chief Nursing Officer at First Nations Health Authority.
Monica holds a Bachelor of Health Sciences in Psychiatric Nursing from Thompson Rivers University as well as a Master of Arts in Leadership and Training from Royal Roads University. During her over 30 years in the health care system, she has held numerous leadership roles across the continuum of care including non-profits and Health Authorities. Monica 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.
The portfolio of the Chief Nursing Office, includes Quality, Cultural Safety & Humility, Nursing Professional Practice & Specialized Teams, Allied Health Professional Practice, Provincial Clinical Innovation, Communicable Disease Population Public Health, and Clinical Education & Professional Development.
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, 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 Executive Director, Office of the Chief Nursing Officer (OCNO) 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 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.
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.
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, Acting Chief Operating Officer
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.
Duanna Johnston-Virgo, Executive Director, Mental Health and Wellness
Duanna joined the FNHA in 2018. She previously served as the FNHA Interior Region Mental Health and Wellness Manager. In 2021, she moved into the role of Executive Director, Mental Health and Wellness for FNHA.
Duanna is a member of Tk’emlups te Secwepemc, located in the Secwepemc Nation in the central interior. With a strong family structure and teachings, she learned the importance of traditional Secwepemc protocols and laws and how to always prioritize building strong relationships and support for the communities. She brings this worldview into her work, including her relationships with her staff. In her mental health and wellness role in the Interior, she developed regional mental health and wellness plans, rolled out Tripartite MOU funding to nations through a nation-shared service model, supported increased access to treatment beds, etc. In this position, she also supported the Interior region through many natural disasters and the toxic drug emergency. To alleviate First Nations’ mental health crises during these times, she engaged a unique team of cultural supports and mental health counsellors/clinicians to provide individual and group support throughout the Interior region.
Duanna holds a Masters in Social Work from the University of Victoria and a Bachelor’s degree in Social Work through Thompson Rivers University and is currently enrolled in a Ph.D. program with the University of Saskatchewan. Duanna’s focus has been mental health clinically based, supporting First Nations families and individuals with specializations in treating complex trauma while integrating First Nations knowledge, teachings and perspective in this work. Her clinical practice and consultation focused on children, youth, and families building wellness and connection through First Nations' natural laws, culture, and traditions. With a unique approach, Duanna brings her knowledge and experience to support First Nations in BC. She looks forward to learning and working alongside communities on their mental health, healing and wellness journeys.
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.
