The Board of directors of Northern Health is responsible for the strategic direction of the organization and, through the President and Chief Executive Officer, ensures that appropriate management processes are established to realize the strategic direction. The Board are expected to utilize their individual expertise and points of view to contribute to decision making that is in the best interest of Northern Health.
Key responsibilities of the Board include:
- Establishing and maintaining the strategic planning process, including the setting of strategic priorities for the organization
- Understanding the material risks associated with the organization’s objectives
- Maintaining open communications with medical staff leadership
- Overseeing the organization’s financial planning and performance
- Overseeing the quality and patient safety review processes
- Ensuring effective governance of the organization
The Northern Health Board meets approximately every two months in regular session, with an open board meeting and public presentation session at all regular meetings. The board ensures that one meeting per year is held in a Northeast community with another in a Northwest community. The remaining meetings are held in the Northern Interior, usually in Prince George.
Colleen V. Nyce, Board Chair
Colleen Nyce, from Terrace, has more than 15 years of corporate leadership experience working in private, multi-national business. A graduate of Public Administration and Political Science from the University of Windsor, Colleen’s overall career experience captures a broad array of expertise and skill spanning 35 years: from professional sport, community management, investment banking, insurance, retail business ownership, communications, public relations, and corporate strategic management.
This portfolio of work accomplishments is highlighted by board service work and awards, some of which are: President Northern BC Winter Games 2004; President of Kitimat Valley Institute 2007-2013; Director Nechako-Kitamaat Development Fund Society 2003-2007; Provincial Community Sport Hero Award 2010; and Rio Tinto Global Bravo Award for First Nation Agreement Making in 2011.
Colleen Nyce was appointed to the NH Board in September 2015. Her current term expires in December 2024.
Wilfred (Wilf) Adam
Wilf Adam was born in Burns Lake, grew up in a small community called Pendleton Bay, and later returned to live in Burns Lake. Adam represented the Lake Babine Nation for over 27 years in different capacities, including serving as Chief for 17 years. He has also been elected six times as Commissioner of the B.C. Treaty Commission. Adam is a co-founder of the Burns Lake Law Centre.
Wilf Adam was appointed to the NH Board in December 2018. His current term expires in December 2024.
Shannon Anderson
Shannon was born and raised in Dawson Creek and has spent his career working in the area. After obtaining a diploma in Civil Engineering Technology he worked in municipal engineering with the City of Dawson Creek for 23 years and worked with the Peace River regional district for 16 years as the GM of Environmental Services and Deputy CAO. He recently retired after a rewarding career in Local Government. Shannon continues to be registered as an Applied Science Technologist of BC; a membership he has held for the past 40 years.
Shannon Anderson was appointed to the NH Board in July 2020. His current term expires in December 2026.
Russel Beerling
Russ Beerling is a Business Development Officer with Lake View Credit Union and partner in ESR Business Solutions Inc. He is the former owner of Moose FM, EnergeticCity.ca and Big Ideas Marketing Company. Russ is currently a director with Community Future British Columbia and also sits as the Chair of Community Futures Peace Liard. He has also been President of the Fort St. John and Dawson Creek Chamber of Commerce and Northern Chair for United Way and currently sits as a Director of the Northern Environmental Action Team as well as the Fort St. John and District Chamber of Commerce.
His community involvement has been extensive, and his passion for business and tourism has been a driving force. Russ is looking forward to bringing this passion and a community voice to the table of the Northern Health Authority.
Russ Beerling was appointed to the NH Board in July 2020. His current term expires in December 2026.
Shayna Dolan
Shayna Dolan was born and raised in Fort Nelson, B.C. Upon graduation she received a Bachelor of Therapeutic Recreation and Health Promotion. During her undergraduate degree she fell in love with the research process and began to look for graduate study opportunities. The Community Health Sciences Masters degree program at the University of Northern British Columbia provided the focus on northern, rural, remote and Indigenous community health issues that Shayna was looking for. Her thesis work focused on women’s perceptions of health and well-being in a rural, remote and resource-dependent community.
Shayna graduated in May of 2019 and has found fulfilling and exciting work in the areas of health research and community development. She is passionate about promoting health equity and exploring the factors that impact the health and well-being of rural and remote communities.
Shayna Dolan was appointed to the NH Board in July 2020. Her current term expires in December 2026.
Frank Everitt
Frank Everitt, from Prince George, is serving his second term as a city councillor in Prince George and is a member of the city's finance and audit committee. Everitt is president of the Union of Steel Workers Local 1-4242 and he volunteered for the 2015 Canada Winter Games.
He has been a community member on the Select Committee on Homelessness and Affordable Housing, board member and vice-chair of Employment Action, board member and vice-chair on the College of New Caledonia, president of Prince George and District Labour Council, board member of Spruce Credit Union, board member of the Canadian Institute of the Blind and was a member on the Forestry Roundtable.
Frank Everitt was appointed to the NH Board in September 2017. His current term expires in December 2024.
John Kurjata
John Kurjata is a partner at SKK, an accounting firm based in Dawson Creek. Before studying to become a chartered professional accountant, Kurjata owned and managed businesses in the trucking industry. He is currently a director on the Lake View Credit Union board of directors since 2015, and was elected chair in April 2018.
He was also a board member of Community Futures Peace Liard for 15 years, including being part of the self-employment and loans committees, and was a past chair. Kurjata was appointed to the Northern Lights College board of governors in 2011, elected vice-chair in 2012 and was elected board chair in 2015.
John Kurjata was appointed to the NH Board in December 2018. His current term expires in December 2024.
Linda D. Locke
Before being called to the bar as a lawyer in 1987, Linda Locke worked as a social worker/probation officer and family court counsellor, as well as a Native Studies professor. During her Articles, she served as an intern for the Human Rights Center in Geneva Switzerland, and in 1994 was a CBA observer of the first Democratic Election in South Africa.
Linda has a Social Work Degree from Calgary Alberta, and a Law Degree from Queen's University in Kingston, ON. She moved to the Northwest in 1992 and worked as a family law lawyer for the Lax Ghels law center in Terrace, then a managing lawyer at the USCLAS Law Center in Hazelton in May 1994. The law Center unfortunately lost full funding in 2002, however through the USCLAS Board and Linda Locke's efforts it remained open and continued to provide access to justice for the surrounding Indigenous and non-indigenous communities.
Linda received the CBABC Community Service Award for the County of Prince Rupert, and was the first Indigenous woman in British Columbia to be appointed Queen's Counsel in 2007. She continues to be an active member of the Canadian Bar Association, Legal Services Society and the Law Society of BC. She was also a member of the SPARC Board, amongst others, for nine years. Linda is a member of the Peters Band, Sto:lo Nation located between Chilliwack and Hope.
Linda Locke was appointed to the NH Board in December 2019. Her current term expires in December 2025.
Patricia Sterritt
Patricia Sterritt, from Prince Rupert, is of Tsimshian ancestry and belongs to the Gitga'at Tribe of Hartley Bay. Patricia served on the Hartley Bay Band council from 1996 to 2005. She was the director of social services for the North Coast Tribal Council for 10 years.
Patricia worked with multicultural organizations committed to serving people, building relationships, establishing communication strategies and creating outreach programs. She was the primary point of contact for the bands with all provincial and federal government agencies and worked with federal department heads, staff and university faculty to develop curriculum for band social workers that resulted in the UVic social work degree program in the North.
Patricia Sterritt was appointed to the NH Board in December 2018. Her current term expires in December 2024.
Brian Kennelly
Brian is a retired public school teacher, educator, and union activist. He is an active member of the community and has been a volunteer coach for various teams in minor hockey, ringette, youth soccer, and cross-country skiing. He is currently president of the non-profit Cariboo Ski-Touring Club in Quesnel, which has a membership of over 400.
Brian is a great promoter for an active life-style and these opportunities found in North Cariboo for both residents and visitors alike, he is keen to take on new roles while pursuing this interest.
Brian Kennelly was appointed to the NH Board in October 2021. His current term expires in December 2024.