Board of Directors

James graduated from McMaster University as an Occupational Therapist in the class of 2000, and worked as an OT in mental health in several communities in Ontario.    Along the way he worked with several Community Health Centres (CHCs) and the unique role of CHCs in our healthcare system. Through this experience, he started to care about social justice, wellness, literacy, and looked for jobs working with marginalized groups (such as outreach to people who are homeless).  James, his wife Kelly and their 2 children have lived in Belleville since 2007 and since joining the BQWCHC in 2016, he has brought perspective from his career in community health work and his own personal experiences with the health system to Board discussions.  James has also volunteered at his children’s schools when possible, and as a driver for Gleaner’s Food Bank.

Through his work and life experiences, James has come to recognize there are barriers for many people in our community to access health care and support that many of us take for granted.  Some of these barriers are obvious, and some are hidden.  The work of the Belleville & Quinte West Community Health Centre is to discover, and lower these barriers - to help make our community a better place for all of us to live. 

James Huff joined the BQWCHC Board of Directors in June 2016.

Kim Egan is the Executive Vice President and CFO at Belleville based GH Manufacturing Inc., a leading contract packaging and manufacturing firm. Working together with the owner of GH from the date of incorporation, Kim has been instrumental in providing leadership in the areas of Finance, Administration, Information Technology, and Human Resources. With over 35 years’ experience, Kim has a broad and diverse background. Over the past 15+ years, she has sat on a number of volunteer boards and committees in the community including the Quinte Manufacturer’s Association (QMA), United Way Hastings & Prince Edward, Hastings Children’s Aid Society, and the Belleville and Quinte West Community Health Centre. Holding various positions such as Chair, Vice Chair, Treasurer and Campaign Cabinet volunteer, Kim has provided leadership and commitment.  Kim, CPA, CMA, also holds a Chartered Directors designation from the Conference Board of Canada in partnership with McMaster University. With a strong sense of community both in and outside of work, Kim has worked hard to support equal opportunities for all.  She continues to hold ethics and responsibility for the community at the highest level.

Kim rejoined the BQWCHC Board of Directors in June 2016 after serving as a founding board member for 6 years.

Scott Robertson has a degree in Kinesiology from the University of Western Ontario and has worked in the social and affordable housing sector for over 30 years. He has delivered and administered housing services at the municipal level, written policies and legislation for the Province of Ontario, and worked at a community youth agency. His experience providing housing and mental health services for a youth agency for 10 years, administering housing at the municipal level for 12 years, his work at the provincial level and working with the private sector has provided him with a unique perspective and ability to find successful solutions, make partnerships happen and function effectively.

Scott joined the BQWCHC Board of Directors in November 2018.

Mary Lynne is a recently retired finance professional with experience in audit, controllership roles, strategic planning, financial forecasting and budgeting, as well as implementation of financial systems. As a Chartered Accountant with a bachelor of business in administration, she provided financial support and expertise to multiple corporations including Bell Mobility and Bell Canada, The Dorchester Corporation and Price Waterhouse.  Mary Lynne comes with over 25 years of experience working with Boards, including her recent role as a member of the BQWCHC Finance Committee.    She is a resident of Belleville and is concerned about the Doctor shortage in the Quinte area and is determined to support those who serve the underprivileged and at-risk population in this area.

Mary Lynne joined the BQWCHC Board in June 2022.

Patricia Sukha has a military background as a specialist technician and is currently a Registered Nurse with experience in long term care, maternal-child care, emergency care and health research studies. She has a passion for reducing barriers to safe, quality healthcare and promoting evidence-informed practice.  Patricia is an advocate for recognizing the effects of the Social Determinants of health – particularly for those who are not well supported or without life mentors. She has been a member of our Community Advocacy Committee for the past few years and is one of the Centre’s Ambassador Volunteers helping the staff with many different programs.

Pat joined the BQWCHC Board of Directors in April 2021.

Frank Hiebert retired from his position as programmer/analyst with Quinte Computer Services Ltd., a local provider of hosting services and custom business applications. Prior to that he worked in the field of mining exploration as a geophysicist, working in Canada, the US and the Middle East.  He graduated from the University of Calgary with a B.Sc. in geophysics, after initiating two years of studies at the University of Waterloo. Frank is married to Irene and together they have one daughter in Ottawa. He has lived in Belleville for the past forty years, and during that time he has volunteered with community organizations in a variety of capacities (board director, officer, program volunteer). These have included the local YMCA, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Quinte Rowing Club, Bridge St. United Church,  Quinte Living Centre, United Way, Poverty Round Table and the Affordable Housing Working Group. He also served as a volunteer coach at Quinte Secondary School in junior football and rowing. He has always held a passion for community engagement, youth serving organizations, and a desire to mitigate poverty and to share solidarity with everyone who calls Belleville and Quinte their home.

Frank joined the BQWCHC Board of Directors in June 2021.

Lisa Turik, a resident of Belleville, has an undergraduate degree in Psychology from the University of Guelph and obtained a law degree from Osgoode Hall Law School. She is Co-Director of Legal Services at the Community Advocacy & Legal Centre (CALC) which is a non-profit community legal clinic that helps people living on a low income in Hastings, Prince Edward, and Lennox & Addington counties and the Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory. As a Lawyer, Lisa’s work at the legal clinic focuses on legal issues related to income security. She is also the lead for CALC’s Justice & Health Partnership Project which started in 2015 out of a growing understanding that the social determinants of health and the legal problems caused by poverty seen at the legal clinic are two sides of the same coin. Lisa has a keen interest in the social determinants of health and health equity, and is proud of the work the BQWCHC does to ameliorate both.

 Lisa joined the BQWCHC Board of Directors in January 2023.

Jae-Marie Ferdinand is a Pediatrician who practices at Quinte Health Care, Belleville General Hospital and the Quinte Children's Treatment Centre. In addition, she is an Assistant Professor at Queen’s University, teaching medical students and residents. Jae-Marie is a physician who practices with a patient, family and community centered approach. She is passionate about advocating for vulnerable populations and reaching people where they are – in the community. Jae-Marie joins the Board with extensive experience developing innovative community and hospital programs. She has a special interest in addressing the Social Determinants of Health in order to help people optimize their health goals and achieve their potential.

Jae-Marie joined the board in February 2021.

Bruce has had a career in health care management in hospitals, a multi-specialty medical clinic, the Ontario Ministry of Health and community health in Toronto and Belleville. He has served in post-secondary education at Queen’s University and Loyalist College and has worked as an Executive Director with an immigration and refugee organization based in Toronto.  Bruce has graduate degrees in Hospital Administration, Business Administration and Public Administration from the University of Toronto, York University and Queen’s University. He has previously served on the Community Care Access Centre and Meta Vocational Services Boards, with interests in strategic planning, board accountability and transparency. Bruce has lived in the Quinte Region for several years and enjoys learning the history of the many interesting communities throughout the area, as well as traveling within the region.

Bruce joined the BQWCHC Board of Directors in June 2023.

Mike Slatter is currently the Deputy Chief of Quality & Development for Hastings-Quinte Paramedic Services. He started his career as a Paramedic in 1993 after graduating from Niagara College. Building upon his experience, he trained to become an Advanced Care Paramedic through Durham College and is now completing a Degree in Health Administration through Toronto Metropolitan University. Mike has helped to shape the Community Paramedic and Palliative Care programs for HQPS. He also sits on the Harm Reduction Committee and at the Situation Table. Mike is interested in collaborative community efforts to help people live safe and healthy lives.

Mike joined the BQWCHC Board of Directors in June 2023.