Shannon Mc Donald
About Shannon Mc Donald
Shannon McDonald serves as the Acting Chief Medical Officer at the First Nations Health Authority in West Vancouver, BC, a position she has held since 2020. With a medical degree from the University of Manitoba and extensive experience in healthcare management, she advocates for cultural safety and policy changes to support First Nations communities.
Work at First Nations Health Authority
Shannon McDonald has served in various roles at the First Nations Health Authority since 2015. She is currently the Acting Chief Medical Officer, a position she has held since 2020. Prior to this, she was the Deputy Chief Medical Officer from 2016 to 2020 and served as the Acting Chief Medical Officer for a brief period in 2018. Her work focuses on integrating cultural safety and humility into healthcare practices, advocating for policy changes to support First Nations communities.
Education and Expertise
Shannon McDonald earned her MD from the University of Manitoba, where she studied Medicine, Anthropology, and First Nations Studies from 1991 to 1998. She also completed her Post-graduate Medical Education in Community Health Sciences at the same institution from 1998 to 2002. Her educational background supports her extensive experience in healthcare, particularly in First Nations health issues.
Background
Before her current role, Shannon McDonald worked at Health Canada in various capacities, including as the National Manager of eHealth Solutions for one year and as the Director of Community Wellness and Health Surveillance for five years. She has a total of 18 years of experience as a health director in her community, which has informed her approach to healthcare delivery and policy advocacy.
Achievements
Throughout her career, Shannon McDonald has actively promoted the integration of cultural safety and humility in healthcare settings. She participates in initiatives such as 'Sober for October,' which encourages wellness and reflection on substance use. Additionally, she has a background in nursing, having provided direct nursing care at St. Paul's in Vancouver, which complements her medical expertise.
Personal Interests
In her personal life, Shannon McDonald engages in gardening as a means of physical activity and mental relaxation. She emphasizes the importance of rest and relaxation for overall health and wellness. She enjoys spending quality time with her dogs, Mukwa and Loki, often taking walks with them.