Indigenous Health Program Contacts

We work together with First Nations, Inuit and Métis communities to maintain and improve the health of Indigenous people living on Vancouver Island and surrounding areas.

Dawn Thomas, Vice President 

Dawn.Thomas@islandhealth.ca

Tony Nelson, Executive Director

Anthony.Nelson@islandhealth.ca
250-370-8965 ext. 18965

Lauren Sabine, Director of Strategy, Partnerships & Engagement

Lauren.Sabine@islandhealth.ca 
250-816-3599

Laurie Thompson, Executive Admin Assistant to the VP and Executive Director

Laurie.Thompson@islandhealth.ca
778-966-3941

Venessa Sheehan, Executive Admin Assistant to the Director of Strategy, Partnerships & Engagement

Venessa.Sheehan@islandhealth.ca
250-732-3038

Rosa Horne, SI Director

Rosa.Horne@islandhealth.ca

778-678-0348
Fax: 250-740-6909

Mary Knox, CI/NI Director - On Leave

Mary.Knox@islandhealth.ca
250-713-6739

Sadie Thomas, Admin Assistant to SI/NI Directors 

Sadie.Thomas@islandhealth.ca
250-619-4323

Lisa Main, Director of Cultural Safety & Humility

Lisa.Main@islandhealth.ca
250-739-0809

North Island Team

Michelle McClain, NI Manager - Campbell River

Irene.McClain@islandhealth.ca
250-286-7100 ext. 67304

Dean Wilson, NI Manager - Mount Waddington

Dean.Wilson@islandhealth.ca
250-527-0014

  • Nadine Kruger, Indigenous Liaison Nurse - Campbell River
    250-286-7100 ext. 67305
  • Laurel Anderson, Indigenous Liaison Nurse - Comox
    250-331-5900 ext. 65308
  • Emily Mark, Indigenous Liaison Nurse (weekends) - Comox
    250-331-5900 ext. 65308
  • Violet Alfred, Indigenous Liaison Nurse – Port Hardy
    250-702-5614
  • David (Alex) Lumley, Nurse Practitioner – Port Hardy 
    250-527-0154
  • Jessie Newman, Dietitian - Campbell River
    250-286-7100 ext. 67306
  • Lisa Greer, Nurse Practitioner - Port Hardy
    250-902-6008
  • Sheryl Thompson, Elder in Residence - Campbell River
    250-202-9631
  • Reina Thurmer, Indigenous Wellness Advocate
    250-331-8582 ext. 68595
  • Alex Jules, Indigenous Wellness Liaison
    250-331-8582 ext. 68595
  • Nadine Kruger, Indigenous Liaison Nurse - Campbell River
    250-286-7100 ext. 67305
  • Laurel Anderson, Indigenous Liaison Nurse - Comox
    250-331-5900 ext. 65308
  • Emily Mark, Indigenous Liaison Nurse (weekends) - Comox
    250-331-5900 ext. 65308
  • Jessie Newman, Dietitian - Campbell River
    250-286-7100 ext. 67306
  • Sheryl Thompson, Elder in Residence - Campbell River
    250-202-9631
  • Reina Thurmer, Indigenous Wellness Advocate
    250-331-8582 ext. 68595
  • Alex Jules, Indigenous Wellness Liaison
    250-331-8582 ext. 68595

Central Island Team

Jennifer Jones, CI Manager - Nanaimo 

236-628-1084
Jennifer.Jones6@islandhealth.ca

  • April Nelson / Cynthia Fitton CTN (Sun - Weds) - Tofino
    250-725-4010 ext. 64143
  • Alishia Vandrimmelen, CTN (Weds - Sat)
    250-725-4010 ext. 64143
  • Louise Dexter, Indigenous Liaison Nurse (Fri - Sun) - Nanaimo
    250-755-7691 ext. 52095
  • Joanne Van Engelsdorp, Indigenous Liaison Nurse (Mon - Thurs) - Nanaimo
    250-755-7691 ext. 52095
  • Deb Melvin, Claudette Watts, Indigenous Liaison Nurse (4 on, 4 off) - Port Alberni
    250-731-1370 ext. 48109
  • Danny Pasichnyk, Indigenous Liaison Nurse (Thurs - Mon 11 a.m.- 7 p.m.) Port Alberni
    250-737-2030 ext.45682
  • Valerie Jefferd, Nurse Practitioner (Tues - Fri) - Cowichan
    250-510-4759

South Island Team

Meghan Corder, SI Tertiary Manager

Meghan.Corder@islandhealth.ca

Alena Peters, SI Community Manager

Alena.Peters@islandhealth.ca

  • Yula Stevens - SI Managers Admin
    250-370-8914 ext. 18914
    Cell: 236-638-7285
  • Selina Bickle, Indigenous Liaison Nurse - RJH
    250-370-8847 ext.18847
  • Cathy Condy, Indigenous Liaison Nurse, VGH
    250-516-9394
  • Candice Trudel, Indigenous Liaison Nurse - RJH Float
    250-508-6268
  • Monique Pat, Indigenous Liaison Nurse - VGH
    250-480-8333
  • Cody Kirkpatrick, Indigenous Liaison Nurse (Sat - Mon) - VGH
    250-217-0934
  • Jane Fox, Indigenous Liaison Nurse - SPH 
    250-652-7590 ext. 27590
  • Lucia Bartleman, Indigenous Patient Navigator
    236-464-7626
  • Judith Atkin, Diabetes Nurse Educator - RJH
    250-370-8111 ext. 13773
  • Kelly Sharp, Nurse Practitioner - Tsawout
    250-652-1149, ext. 207
  • Katie Cox, Nurse Practitioner - Tsartlip
    250-812-3946
  • Jennifer Irvine, Nurse Practitioner - Tseycum
    250-652-9277
  • Amanda Henry, SI Dietitian
    250-370-8258 ext. 18258
  • Benedict Leonard, Cultural Safety Facilitator
    250-218-6560

News & Events

Monique Pat

Celebrating Island Health’s Indigenous Nurses

On April 10, Island Health is delighted to be celebrating BC Indigenous Nurses Day, in honour of Charlotte Edith Anderson Monture, the first Indigenous person in Canada to become a registered nurse.

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two people playing chess

Resilience and safety grant recipients

People and organizations in communities across the Island Health region will benefit from almost $1.2 million awarded through 29 resilience and safety grants.  

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image of accord signing

Vancouver Island Partnership Accord Renews Commitment for First Nation’s Health Outcomes

A renewed commitment to improve the health and wellness outcomes of all First Nations people living in the Island Health region has been made.

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