A prestigious award honouring health leadership has been presented to Simpcw First Nation health director Shelley Lampreau on June 5 in Vancouver when she received the First Nations Health Foundation’s Health Champion Award.
The award recognizes individuals who have made outstanding and lasting contributions to advancing First Nations health and wellness across British Columbia.
Lampreau is from Tsilhqot'in (Chilcotin) Nation and has been serving as Simpcw Health Director since 2012 advocating for Indigenous health while leading programs in keeping with Simpcw traditions while providing modern healthcare needs to the community.
"Shelley is not just a health administrator, she is a visionary leader who brings community voices forward and delivers real change. She listens, she advocates, and she leads with compassion and clarity," said Marie Matthew, Simpcw Health Board chair, Marie Matthew.
The First Nations Health Foundation was established in 2022 and is referred to as a “philanthropic partner” to the First Nations Health Authority fundraising over and above government funding. The foundation liaises with donors to support innovative community driven, First Nations based models of care that serve more than 200 First Nations communities and their members across B.C.
Simpcw First Nation band administrator Rhonda Kershaw said Shelley Lampreau has been recognized in all six core categories of the Health Champion Award. The categories include: Community Health, Cultural Knowledge, Innovation and Leadership and Partnership Building.
Lampreau has also earned recognition from the Rural Coordination Centre of B.C. and during the international Towards Unity for Health conference for her client-centred approach while ensuring all health programming is based on direct community input.
The Simpcw health director is dedicated to integrating the Simpcw language, values and teachings into her health programming. As director she has secured capital funding for a new Simpcw health facility while expanding services. Under her leadership Simpcw Health has achieved Exemplary Standing from Accreditation Canada.
“Shelley Lampreau’s leadership in healthcare is inspiring and everyone in the community of Simpcw First Nation is extremely proud of her ongoing achievements. Our thanks go out to the First Nations Health Foundation for honouring her important contributions," said Simpcw band administrator Rhonda Kershaw.
