First Nations Health Managers Association Honours Certified Graduates and Leadership Award Winner

First Nations Health Managers Association Honours Certified Graduates and Leadership Award Winner During the 10th Anniversary National Conference

Ottawa, ON (November 2, 2022) – The First Nations Health Managers Association (FNHMA) National Conference is back in-person this year for the first time since the pandemic, under the theme of Celebrating and Sharing, Our Inherent Knowledge in Health Leadership and Management. Hosted on the traditional territory of the Lekwungen people in Victoria, BC, November 1 to 3, 2022, the 10th Anniversary National Conference will bring together more than 650 delegates including healthcare community decision-makers, healthcare service and product suppliers, government representatives and academics.

The conference program features 16 concurrent workshops, related to the 10 competency domains of the FNHMA, that will provide participants with lessons, tools and innovative solutions to issues in First Nations health management. A conference highlight is the annual convocation and awards ceremony to celebrate the new Certified First Nations Health Managers (CFNHMs) and the 2022 Excellence in Health Leadership Award recipient.

“The FNHMA continues to foster highly skilled professionals in First Nations health management,” says Marion Crowe, FNHMA Chief Executive Officer. “We thank and honour them for all that they do everyday!”

In partnership with Healthcare Excellence Canada (HEC), the FNHMA will be awarding the 2022 Excellence in Health Leadership Award – Innovative Leaders to Dr. Shannon McDonald, Chief Medical Officer at the First Nations Health Authority. The award was designed to recognize those who have exhibited a sincere and long-term commitment and leadership in First Nations health management in Canada. Dr. McDonald is recognized for her work in helping to lead the FNHA in promoting and protecting the health and wellness of First Nations people in British Columbia and making the much-needed change in the health care system.

Dr. McDonald says “I am honoured and humbled to receive this award. In truth, it reflects the efforts, compassion and success of many First Nations healthcare providers and leaders in BC and their commitment to the health and wellness of the people they serve.”

The FNHMA will recognize three graduating classes of CFNHMs at the conference, including the following 2022 graduates:

Name	Work Affiliation	Province
Amanda Wabegijig-Jourdain	Atikameksheng Anishnawbek	ON
Billie-Jo Onespot	Tsuut’ina Health Center	AB
Brenda O’Neill	Muskeg Lake Cree Nation	SK
Delia McDonald	Mohawk Council of Akwesasne	QC
Dora Simmons	Southeast Resource Development Council	MB
Elizabeth Proskurnik	Southeast Resource Development Council	MB
Evelyn Brunet	Mohawk Council of Akwesasne	QC
Heather Bighead	Northern Inter-Tribal Health Authority	SK
Jacqueline Johnup	Nishnawbe Aski Nation	ON
Janna MacKay	Confederacy of Mainland Mi’kmaq	NS
Jessie Bond-Goulet	Anishnabe Long Term Care	QC
Kayla Caul-Chartier	Giishkaandago’Ikwe Health Services	ON
Kelly Gallagher	St. Mary’s First Nation	NB
Kenneth Pryce	First Nations Health Managers Association	ON
Kyle Thompson	Mohawk Council of Akwesasne	QC
Margo Dodginghorse	Stoney Nakoda – Tsuut’ina Tribal Council	AB
Patricia Ward	Mawiw Council Inc.	NB
Patsy Campbell	Western Cree Tribal Council	SK
Robyn Klassen	Lac La Ronge Indian Band Health Services	SK
Selena Willier-Schmidt	First Nations Health Managers Association	ON
Shealene Gibson	Mohawk Council of Akwesasne	QC
Sheena Ratte	Lac La Ronge Indian Band	SK
Tanis Willier	Sucker Creek First Nation	AB
Tanya Hughes	Giishkaandago’Ikwe Health Services	ON
Tara Campbell	Northern Inter-Tribal Health Authority	SK
Tessy (Tessie) Big Plume	Stoney Nakoda – Tsuut’ina Tribal Council	AB

For more information on the conference, please visit www.fnhma.ca.

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Contacts:

Kylie Thompson, Marketing and Communications Coordinator

First Nations Health Managers Association

Email: kylie.thompson@fnhma.ca

Gail Boyd

Interim Executive Coordinator

First Nations Health Managers Association

P: 1-844-218-0440

Email: gail.boyd@fnhma.ca