Coast Salish Territory (Vancouver, B.C.) – Dr. Evan Adams (Tlesla II), the Chief Medical Officer of the First Nations Health Authority, is joining Indigenous Services Canada in a two-year appointment as Deputy Chief Medical Officer of Public Health. Dr. Adams will be working with Dr. Tom Wong, Director General and Chief Medical Officer of Public Health.
“We are very excited to have Dr. Evan Adams join us at Indigenous Services Canada and bring with him all of his experience and expertise to help inform our on-going national COVID-19 response, while ensuring culturally safe and efficient service delivery," said Dr. Wong. “He is a welcome addition to our team and we are excited to know he will be directly involved in supporting our national response and recovery."
The First Nations Health Authority is the only Indigenous province-wide health authority in Canada. It was created in 2014 with Dr. Adams as its inaugural Chief Medical Health Officer. His role at the FNHA included reporting on the health of the First Nations population and developing new ways to focus on wellness from a First Nations perspective. Dr. Adams is also a strong advocate of cultural safety across the health system.
“Dr. Adams integrates his Western medical education and his traditional cultural teachings in order to embody the best of both worlds," said Richard Jock, interim CEO of the FNHA. “This enables him to be a trusted community advocate and strong public health leader – traits that will allow him to fill a much-needed role at the national level."
Dr. Adams' new appointment takes effect May 11. Dr. Shannon McDonald, the FNHA's Deputy Chief Medical Officer, will act as Chief Medical Officer during this time.
