Board of Directors
The Mary Berglund Community Health Centre is a not-for-profit organization, governed by a volunteer board made up of people who live in Ignace. Members of the board:
- Enhance the health of our community
- Promote a sense of ownership with MBCHC within Ignace
- Enacts its role and responsibilities through the articulation of a vision, mission, values, strategic plan and appropriate policies
- Are elected at an Annual General Meeting, normally held each September from candidates nominated from and/or approved by the membership.
- The operations of the organization is managed by an Executive Director.
Meet Our Board and Executive Director
Born and raised in Ignace, Heidi has recently returned “Home” to assume the role of Executive Director. Heidi has an extensive background with 25 years working in the Healthcare field from direct client care to senior administrative roles. Heidi is a Registered Practical Nurse, holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Health Care Administration and is a Certified Administrator through the Canadian Healthcare Association. She is also the former Regional Board Chair for the Ontario Association of Non Profit Homes and Services for Seniors. Heidi enjoys spending time with her family and is the proud mom of 3 boys.
“ I am passionate about making a difference in the lives of our clients. The Model of Health and Wellbeing that the Mary Berglund CHC lives and breathes are values and principles that unite us all. I am grateful for the opportunity to lead such a dynamic organization into the future and I am confidant that Mary Berglund CHC will continue to play a most important role to individuals in our community.”
New to Ignace, Naomi Peters moved from Saskatoon, SK in October in 2018 to be closer to her mother and sister who live in Ignace. Naomi has enjoyed a long career of providing administrative support and event planning functions for top company executives over the past 20 years. In this capacity, most recently she supported the President and CEO through the development phase of a $4.1 billion CAD Greenfield mining project. Prior to her career as an Executive Assistant she worked in health care as a Nurses’ Aide in a nursing home, providing personal care to level 2, 3 and 4 residents.
Throughout her life Naomi supported charity and non-profit organizations, including serving as the United Way Employee Campaign Chairperson for two companies and an individual fundraiser, event participant for Camp Easter Seals and supporting the Saskatoon Crisis Nursery. Additionally, Naomi acted as the “Home Visit” coordinator in Saskatoon and area for Northern Sky Greyhound Adoption Association.
Naomi has been an avid life-long learner and holds University of Saskatchewan Certificates in Business Administration from the College of Commerce and Adult and Continuing Education (with distinction) from the college of Education, as well as diplomas in the Theology (3-Year), Executive Secretarial and Bookkeeping.
Naomi is married to Leonard Peters, has two step-sons and five grandchildren. She and her husband own one greyhound-cross dog and three rescued Amazon parrots.
Naomi looks forward to serving on the Board of Directors for the Mary Berglund Community Health Centre Hub and working with everyone in supporting the positive impact it makes in both the town and region it serves.
A member of the Ignace community since 2008, Cindy relocated here from Winnipeg after 20 years as a physical education and math teacher. She also owned a wall climbing facility for 13 years. An interest in all sports, recreation and wellness activities lends to her passion for wellness, nutrition and energy work, including teaching Yoga here in Ignace for the past 5 years. Cindy has extensive volunteer and community experience as evidenced by her 16 years coaching trampoline with the Manitoba Gymnastics Association as well as her term as Education Chairperson for the Manitoba Section of the Alpine Club of Canada.
“ I volunteer on the board because of my interest in wellness and the belief that people must take responsibility for their own health. The Community Health Centre Model of Care focuses on education and disease prevention which is what I believe should be the cornerstone of health care in Canada.”
Born in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan, Tanya moved to Ignace with her family when she was 2 years old. Growing up in Ignace, she enjoyed the outdoors and in high school, became interested in science. After graduating from Ignace School in 1992, Tanya earned her Bachelor of Science degree from Lakehead University in Thunder Bay and a Diploma in Biotechnology from Canadore College in North Bay. In 1998, Tanya and her husband Jeff moved to Toronto as a result of her being offered a student internship at GlaxoWellcome, a large research based pharmaceutical company, now known as GlaxoSmithKline. Tanya held roles of increasing responsibility in Regulatory Affairs from 1998 to 2014, and was the Director of External Affairs, covering Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta and BC from 2014-2017.
After having four children, Tanya and Jeff decided to move back to Ignace in 2018, and purchased the Lone Pine Motel, where Tanya continues to work for GSK remotely.
Tanya volunteers her time as the Event Coordinator for the Ignace Otters Snowmobile Club, and sits on the Ignace School Parent Council. She was a member of the Trillium Health Partners Patient and Family Advisory Council for Mental Health in Mississauga, and was recently invited to be part of the Ontario Health’s Patient, Family and Public Advisors Network.
“It is great to be home! I’m honoured to be a part of the Board. My own mental health struggles have opened my eyes to the challenges that exist across the range of mental health care service delivery as a participant of in-patient, out-patient, and community oriented care programs. As a proud mental health advocate, I’m doing my best to contribute to improving mental health services in a meaningful way.”
Jaymie was raised in Kenora and attended college in Thunder Bay. In 2014, she moved to Ignace to be closer to her Grandmother. Jaymie’s love for the outdoors and the rural community atmosphere made Ignace the ideal location for her to call home. Currently, Jaymie is a Personal Banking Associate with Alterna Savings Credit Union. This is the first Board Jaymie has served on and is looking forward to serving her community in this capacity. “I admire the care and attention the Mary Berglund Community Health Centre Hub offers the residents in the area. It is my hope that the MBCHC Hub continues its mission of improving the health and well-being of the area.”
Roger has been a resident of Ignace for over 40 years. The family moved to Ignace in 1980 to become owners of the then hardware store. Growing up in a family business, Roger became integrated into the community and Ignace became his home, his place to raise family and his future wishes to retire here.
This is the third term Roger has spent serving the MBCHC board. Over the 13 years of volunteering, he has served as a Director , Vice and Board chair.
Roger originally volunteered for the Board of Directors because he saw a need for common sense leadership. He states, “It wasn’t long though that as I got involved in decision making that it had become “my health center”. I’ve been proud to maintain that ideal over the years and very proud to see how our center has grown into one of the best places to get health and wellness care in NWO.”
After a four year break, Roger joined the board table once again and the journey continues. “As Ignace again moves into what will hopefully be an exciting future, my goal is to represent the MBCHC to the best of my abilities.
Ignace was home for Lise from 1973-1985 during which time her 4 boys were born. After a 30 year absence, her and her husband decided to return home in 2015. Lise is a proud grandmother with 11 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren. Lise attended post secondary education in Thunder Bay and later moved to Winnipeg where she worked as an Administrative Assistant to the Chief Financial Officer at the Canadian Grain Commission. A member of the Silver Tops and the Ignace Lions, she spends much of her time volunteering for the community.
The majority of Josee’s life has been spent in Ignace. Growing up in a small town always stayed with her and she returned in 2005 with a feeling of being truly home. Josee lives in Ignace, surrounded by family; her husband, three sons and two grandsons. This brings the importance of strong health care to her attention daily.
Josee has been part of the Kenora District Services Board for the past 15 years as a Specialized Case Manager, Life Skills and Training and Housing Services. She has a background in Business Administration and Marketing and is a certified Life Skills Coach. She currently works as a Housing Services Supervisor in the region. In her work portfolio she supports partnerships and creative initiatives throughout the region.
Josee shows a true passion for her community and the people who call it home.
Barbara was born and raised in a very small town in Southern Ontario and has never had a desire to live in a more urban area. She studied Forestry and Biology at college and moved to Sudbury in 1972 to work for the MNR. Stints in Huntsville and Kenora followed until she moved for the last time to Ignace to take a position as a Conservation Officer. Fourteen years later, she left the MNR and moved to Press Lake Camp north of town. She and Gerry Nicholas ran the business together for twenty years, until his passing. Their son Ryan is now taking over the family business but Barb still helps throughout the season.
Barbara likes to volunteer and spent 25 years as a Girl Guide leader, years filled with camping trips across NW Ontario. She currently volunteers at the Carousel, the Legion and the Emmanuel Church but is happy to help other causes needing assistance.
Barbara had never lived in a community with a Health Center until Ignace and has been very impressed by the staff and what is offered. “ Family members in other parts of Canada cannot believe the variety of services Ignace receives from the Health Center. The one roof approach is a godsend, especially for seniors and the handicapped.”
A recent community member, Kelly retired to Ignace in June 2015 to enjoy retirement living opportunities available in the great outdoor areas that make Ignace a beautiful place to be. Kelly is a University of North Dakota graduate with a lifetime career spent working for the Ontario, British Columbia and Northwest Territories Provincial Governments. He was also a teacher of college aviation programs and brings a skillset to community driven aspiration.
“Ignace is quiet, safe and provides the friendly neighbourhood attitude only found in small towns. Winter and summer activities are within and around the community allows residents a simple lifestyle. Promoting proactive health programs, the Mary Berglund Community Health Centre Hub supports the lifestyle of Ignace residents. I am pleased to contribute as a board member to do my part in ensuring that that health centre will always be a primary asset for the community of Ignace and an advocate for all its community members’ health and wellbeing.”
Our Philosophy
The Board of Directors of the Mary Berglund Community Health Centre believes:
In the provision of accessible, quality health care services, in a culturally sensitive manner, that will respect the dignity and worth of everyone;
That health is holistic and includes physical, emotional, spiritual and social well-being;
That clients must be afforded confidential services;
Treating staff with dignity and respect and providing a safe and healthy work environment conducive to personal and professional development;
That the MBCHC is committed to practicing sound corporate citizenship;
That the Board of Directors will be accountable to the community for the services of the MBCHC through sound governance practices and continuing Board Development;
In the continuing development of a healthy community by responding to the needs of the community through education and health promotion;
In the building of a strong community through collaboration and partnership with community service agencies and other organizations; and.
That the course of treatment and care is one of individual choice.