The Aboriginal Healing and Wellness Strategy (AHWS) funds three types of initiatives, one within which Southwest Ontario Aboriginal Health Access Centre's, (SOAHAC) operates. There are at present, ten Aboriginal Health Access Centres, (AHAC's) operating to serve Ontario. Aboriginal Health Access Centres respond to community needs for culturally appropriate primary health care within a multi-disciplinary team approach. The team at SOAHAC includes Traditional Healers, Traditional Coordinator, Mental Health Coordinator, Crisis Worker, Nurse Practitioner, Physicians, Dietitians and support staff. The Centre services on and off reserve Aboriginal populations of the Southwest Ontario region and associate First Nations with the mandate of ensuring that health services are accessible, of high quality and culturally appropriate. Because the nurse practitioner can see many of the issues a family physician can deal with, this allows the doctors to handle more serious health issues. These include:
SOAHAC Staff
- Brian Dokis - Executive Director
Brian is a member of Dokis First Nation and has been the Executive Director at Southwest Ontario Aboriginal Health Access Centre since October 2000. Prior to this, he was the Executive Director at Shkagamik-Kwe Health Centre in Sudbury. Throughout this time he has demonstrated his commitment to the provision of effective health care in general and more specifically the provision of the effective health care that is culturally appropriate and acceptable to First Nations people. Brian has also been active in the area of First Nations Health research.
- Theresa Goulais - Program Manager
Theresa is a member of Nipissing First Nation, and has been an integral part of the SOAHAC team since July 2002. She has been in the administration field for about 15 years, finding it both challenging and enjoyable. She has many skills that she has learned over the years and continues to learn. Presently Theresa holds the position of Program Manager. She is a proud mother and grandmother of 3 children and 2 beautiful grandchildren.
- Nikki George - Maternal & Child Health
Nikki George (R.D.), is from the Kettle & Stony Point First Nation and originally joined SOAHAC in 1999 as one of our Dietitians. Since that time we have been putting her valuable expertise and skills to very good use here at the Centre.
- Bonnie Doxtator - Supporting Aboriginal Seniors at Home - Senior's Health Advocate
London, Ontario
Bonnie is a member of the Oneida Nation of the Thames, Turtle Clan, and her family roots are from Aamjiwnaang First Nation. She has recently joined the SOAHAC team in December 2008. Bonnie has been working within the First Nation Community, both on and off reserve, for over 16 years as a front line health care worker. She brings with her a wealth of knowledge and experience.
- Doug George - Health Team Manager (London)
Doug began working for SOAHAC in 1998 beginning in the Mental Health Program. He is currently the coordinator for the Traditional Healing Program for both our London and Chippewa sites. Doug is from the Anishnaabe community of Wiikwedong. He obtained his B.A. in Pscychology from the University of Western Ontario in London and obtained his Traditional Knowledge from many Indigenous teachers and elders from various communities throughout northern and southern Ontario.
- Jocelyn Shutt - Diabetes Education Team Facilitator
Registered Dietitian
Jocelyn Shutt, RD, CDE
London, Ontario
Jocelyn Shutt joined the SOAHAC staff in 2007 and has recently taking on a new role with the Diabetes Education Team. She has a Bachelor of Applied Science Degree in Nutrition from the University of Guelph. Since completing the Northern Internship with a First Nation Focus in 2005 she has worked in several settings including community health, long term care and home care. Her professional development and personal interest is in diabetes education and continues to be certified as a Diabetes Educator.
- Carlene Mennen - Diabetes Educator - Diabetes Education Team
Carlene Mennen, Reg. N.
Carlene is a member of the Chippewas of Kettle & Stony Point First Nation. Carlene graduated as a Registered Nurse from Fanshawe College in 1992. Since then, Carlene has had many, many, many, many years of experience in working with our local First Nations. Diabetes can affect every aspect of life and Carlene is here to work as a team member and empower our communities to engage proactively with Diabetes.
- Lin Yuan - Nutrition and Healthy Lifestyles Program
Registered Dietitian
Lin Yuam, MSc, RD.
Lin has just completed her Master’s Program at the University of Western Ontario this April. She is very excited to start her new role at SOAHAC. Lin is from China, and her parents and family live overseas. She has lived in Canada for 8 years, and in London for 6 years. Lin love’s the dietetic profession, and is very glad to have made it so far to become a Registered Dietitian. She loves food also, which is another reason Lin picked this profession.
Lin also has a strong interest in fitness. Combining nutrition education and fitness together is her professional goal.
- Jacqueline Morrissey - Mental Health and Crisis Intervention Team Facilitator
Jacqueline Morrissey, M.Ed., O.A.T.R.,CCC (London) is the Mental Health and Crisis Intervention Team Coordinator for SOAHAC. She has been here since 2003. She has a Master’s in Education (Counselling), certification in the Canadian Counselling Association and is a Registered Art Therapist. Her professional development and training has focused in the areas of grief, trauma, depression and anxiety management. Jacqui has been working with the aboriginal people in both urban and rural settings since 1996 and has become an advocate for improving aboriginal health and wellness. In addition to some front line clinical work, she is also involved in collaborating with other aboriginal and non-aboriginal community agencies to improve services and resources for the Indigenous people we serve.
- Eileen Hagar - Crisis Counselor
Eileen Hagar, M.A.
London, Ontario
Eileen is a member of Batchewana First Nation
( Bear Clan). Eileen is currently employed as the Crisis Counselor at SOAHAC. She has a Master of Arts Degree in Psychology. Eileen has been working within the First Nation Community both on and off Reserve since 1989, providing front line counselling and clinical support. She looks forward to contributing her sharing and continuing her learning and life experiences at SOAHAC.
- Mary Ann Wisenberg - Nurse Practitioner (Chippewa)
- Pamela Bridgen - RN(EC), NP-PHC, MN
Nurse Practitioner (London site)
Pamela joined the S.O.A.H.A.C. team in September 2009. She received her BScN from the University of Western Ontario and afterward began working in general surgery at University Hospital in London, Ontario. In 2008, Pamela decided to return to school to pursue her goal of becoming a Nurse Practitioner. She received her Primary Health Care Nurse Practitioner certificate from the University of Windsor in August 2009 and her Masters in Nursing from the University of Windsor in April 2010. Pamela is enjoys working as a Nurse Practitioner on S.O.A.H.A.C.’s primary health care team and looks forward to continuing to work with clients as they pursue their personal health goals.
- Dr. Mike Vreugdenhil (Chippewa)
- Dr. Phil McCabe (Part time)
Medical Degree University of Ottawa.
Certificate College of Family Practice McMaster University.
Masters Applied Science Occupational Health and Epidemiology McGill University.
Fellow Canadian Board of Occupational Medicine.
- Stephanie Trudeau – Secretary/Receptionist
Stephanie Trudeau is a member of M’Chigeeng First Nation (formerly West Bay), Manitoulin Island, Ontario and a member of the Wolf clan. She joined the staff at SOAHAC in April 2007. Throughout her time here she has learned a lot about utilization and implementing health care practices into helping the Anishinabek people of the Southwestern Ontario First Nations. Health care is a field that has always interested Stephanie, helping the Anishinabek people is what she takes pride in.
- Guy Hagar - Cultural Safety Trainer Supporting Aboriginal Seniors at Home (SASH) Program
Guy is a member of Six Nations of the Grand River. He has worked for many years as a facilitator and trainer within First Nation’s organizations and communities. Guy is currently employed with the SASH Team to develop and deliver workshops and information packages that will assist in educating community health care providers about Status, Non-Status, Inuit and Metis culture and traditional health practices. The workshops will reflect the history, diversity and unique world view of our communities. Guy looks forward to establishing relationships with Hospitals, Physicians, Administrators, Community Care Access Centres and Long-Term Care Facilities throughout the Southwest Local Health Integration Network area. The SASH Team looks forward to working with organizations to further our goal of culturally safe care.
- Shireen Schuyler, RN -Patient Navigator,
Supporting Aboriginal Seniors at Home (SASH) Program
Shireen is a Registered Nurse and is a member of the Oneida Nation of the Thames (Wolf Clan). She joined the staff of SOAHAC, February 2011. Prior to this, she was the Clinic Coordinator of Oneida’s Home and Community Care Program for 9 years. She has also worked at the Sioux Lookout Zone hospital, in the Northwest region of Ontario assisting the first Nations people of the Cree, Oji-Cree and Ojibwas nations. Shireen has taken the position of Patient Navigator as a member of the Supporting Aboriginal Seniors at Home (SASH) Team within the SOAHAC organization. She looks forward to assisting our aboriginal seniors navigate the hospital system. Including, assisting them with the understanding of their diagnoses, treatments and supporting them during their stay in the hospital.
- Sue Cheechoo - Clinical Support Worker
Sue Cheechoo is a Cree originally from the little Island of Moose Factory in the James Bay area. She joined the SOAHAC staff as Clinical Support Worker in April 2004 and thoroughly enjoys working with the staff and clientele of this area. There have been many changes made at SOAHAC over the years making this a great learning experience.
Sue particularly loves the southern weather; and enjoys spending her off time with her sweet grandchildren.
- Megan Huff - Medical Secretary (Chippewa)
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