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
  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.
• Laura Spero - Fetal Alcohol Prevention & Awareness Educator
  Laura Spero ( B.A., B.Ed.) is from the Aamjiwnaang First Nation (Chippewas of Sarnia) and belongs to the Martin Clan. She is currently employed as the Fetal Alcohol Awareness and Prevention Educator at SOAHAC. Laura has graduated from the University of Western Ontario with a degree in Sociology and a minor in Addiction Studies. Laura has also graduated from Brock University with a Degree in Education.
• Doug George - Traditional Coordinator (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 Coordinator
  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.
• Marilyn Allan - Advanced Footcare Nurse - Diabetes Education Team
  Marilyn Allan, RPN
  Boozhoo! My name is Marilyn Allan and I have recently been hired by SOAHAC as the Advanced Foot Care Nurse.
  Born and raised in North-western Ontario in a small community called Fort Frances, I myself of Aboriginal decent, my father was a status member of Couchiching First Nation. I have two children Bridgit who is 31 years old, and Shyler who is 27 years old; I also have three beautiful grandchildren Brandon 11, Kaden 8 and Brooklin 6.
  I bring with me 26 years of nursing experience. My past eight years have been spent working in the First Nations caring for our people. I have worked closely with the Chiropodist when he visited our area, and in between his visits my daily work was to care for my client’s feet to prevent further complications. I am excited to be part of the new Diabetes Education team at SOAHAC and look forward to meeting new clients in the surrounding communities.
  Please feel free to contact me at SOAHAC for an appointment.
  Miigwetch
• 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 / Crisis Program
  Mental Health / Crisis Coordinator
  Jacquiline Morrissey, M.ed., O.A.T.R.,CCC
  London, Ontario
  Jacqui Morrissey is the Mental Health/Crisis 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- Mental Health / Crisis Program
  Crisis Counsellor
  Eileen Hagar, M.A., R.S.S.W.
  London, Ontario
  Eileen is a member of Batchewana First Nation, and belongs to the Bear Clan.  Eileen has been working with individuals of First Nation’s ancestry in various counselling positions since 1989.  Her graduate thesis on acculturation theory assisted her in developing a deeper understanding of the impact of the acculturative process on Aboriginal people.  After completing her graduate degree, she continued to provide counseling support, as a crisis counsellor, and mental health counselor.  Eileen has had the opportunity to enhance her skills and training by working with Elders within First Nation’s communities, as well as with several Psychologists providing assessments and consultation in First Nation communities.  She also has extensive teaching experience within both the college and university systems.  Eileen looks forward to contributing her sharing, and continuing her learning, and life experiences at SOAHAC.
  
• Dr. Fereshteh Mazloom - Primary Health Care
  Dr. Mazloom works out of the London site Monday to Thursday. She has been a family doctor for 20 years. She is a graduate of the Medical School of the University of Barcelona, Spain with postgraduate training in General Medicine at the University of Toronto.
• Mary Ann Wisenberg - Nurse Practitioner (Chippewa)
  
• Pamela Bridgen - Nurse Practitioner (London)
  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. She is currently working to complete her Master’s degree in Nursing and hopes to finish by the spring of 2010. Pamela is enjoying working in her new role 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.
  
• Sue Cheechoo - Clinical Support Worker
• Megan Huff - Medical Secretary (Chippewa)

Board of Directors of SOAHAC

• Leo Hopkins - President, Community Representative
  
• Gloria Alvernaz-Mulcahy, Vice President -  At^lohsa Native Family Healing Services
• Diane Sullivan - Treasurer, Metis Assoc.
• Janet George - Secretary – Kettle & Stoney Point First Nation
• Christi Poulette - Oneida Nation of the Thames
• Martha Albert – Chippewas of the Thames First Nation
• Chris George - N’Amerind Friendship Centre