Dear BC Rural Health Network supporters,
My name is Peggy Skelton, and I am the new President of the BC Rural Health Network (BCRHN).
As you are aware a Special General Meeting of the RHN Education Foundation (usually referred to as the BC Rural Health Network) was held on June 2, 2022. At this Special Meeting, the Board of Directors made several changes to the Bylaws to move forward and to allow for growth into the future.
At the meeting I was honoured and humbled to be elected President of the BCRHN. And frankly I also had a little trepidation! Those shoes are very big to fill! However, when I looked around the Zoom and saw the dedicated and knowledgeable volunteer Board of Directors, representatives of the other associations which augment the board, and of course our staff, I felt reassured.
I’ve been involved with the Network for the last 2 ½ years as Secretary/Treasurer and a co-chair of our Access to Care committee. My background is in health as a Registered Psychiatric Nurse and after 37 years I retired as the Director of Community Health from my rural health region in Saskatchewan. Rural issues have and continue to be very near and dear to my heart.
At the meeting, one of the motions that was passed was the creation of the Past President position. I was delighted to welcome Ed Staples back to the Executive in his new role of Past President. Thankfully, Ed has agreed to accept and will provide both continuity and wisdom as always. He is one of our founding members and has been integral in not only the formation of the Network, but also creating its stellar reputation throughout the province.
Colin Moss remains as our Vice President. His experience on a variety of boards and being a hospice volunteer, helps guide informed decisions. He also chairs our membership committee and raises our positive image.
We are so very fortunate to have most of our Board return and I welcome back Johanna Trimble, Pegasis McGauley (also a founding member,) Dave Smith, and Leonard Casley. Returning as liaisons are Dr. Stuart Johnston (Rural Coordination Centre of BC), Teresa Murphy (BC Health Coalition) and Jude Kornelsen (Centre for Rural Health Research, UBC.) New to the Board are Cookie Langenfeld, Bob Storey, and Jane Osborne. We are also delighted to welcome a new liaison, Valerie St John of the BC Association of Community Health Centres. Thank you all for your work and agreeing to help represent the voice of rural residents on their health throughout BC!
Paul Adams, as our Administrator, brings great ideas and energy to the board on how to move the organization forward and grow into its’ future and to its’ potential.
Nienke Klaver, our Executive Assistant who has her eye on our social media presence making sure we have useful information available to our members. She is also a big part of the heart of our organization and always wanting what is the best for the organization.
So, with that, any trepidation took a back seat to the excitement on going forward in our shared mission of better health care for rural and remote residents!
Glad to have you along!
Peggy
Peggy Skelton
President, BC Rural Health Network
