PRIDoC2024

Dr. Mandy Buss
President, IPAC

Aaniin Boozhoo, Kaaniimit Waawaate Ikwe nindizhinikaaz mukwa doodem. My English name is Mandy Buss, I am Metis from Manitoba. I grew up in a small rural community forty-five minutes northeast of Winnipeg, Manitoba. I did both my Bachelor of Science and Medical degree at the University of Manitoba. I did my Residency in the Northern Remote Family Medicine program, which is also through the University of Manitoba. I spent the first 6 years of my practice going half time to northern First Nation communities. I currently practice at the Northern Connections Medical Center (NCMC). NCMC is the home base for the Northern Remote Family Medicine Program where we train residents to work in the Northern/remote communities, while servicing northern transient patients, inner city and marginalized community members of Winnipeg. I also work at the University of Manitoba as an Assistant professor. I am the Indigenous Health Lead for the Faculty of Family Medicine, developing and delivering Indigenous Health curriculum to Family Medicine Residents and Faculty and the Director of Indigenous Health Longitudinal Curriculum for the Undergrad Medical Education, Faculty of Medicine.

Dr. Michael Dumont
Vice President, IPAC

Bozhoo, my name is Michael Dumont. I am Anishinaabe (Marten Clan), a member of Shawanaga First Nation and I also carry mixed European ancestry. I am honoured to live as a guest on the unceded land of the Musqueam, Squamish and Tsleil-Waututh peoples, where I raise my 2yo daughter Evie. As a family physician, I am privileged to work both on and off reserve in community primary care. I helped to establish Lu’ma Medical Centre in 2016, where I currently serve as Medical Director. We incorporate traditional Indigenous and Western medical approaches in our two-eyed seeing model of care, with Elders and Traditional Healers working alongside Indigenous physicians, nurses, counselors and social navigators. We are a core learning site for the Indigenous Family Medicine Residency program at UBC, where I also do some teaching with the undergraduate and postgraduate medical programs. I am proud to partner with Musqueam First Nation to deliver primary care on-reserve, and I currently serve as spokesperson for the First Nations and Aboriginal Primary Care Network (a partnership of 8 Indigenous owned/operated clinics across Metro Vancouver). A member of IPAC since 2016, I currently sit on the Champions Committee. This work has been fun and rewarding – we seek to celebrate our colleagues (students, residents, early career and established physicians) through award nominations and other honours. I believe we benefit collectively by spotlighting the amazing work of Indigenous physician leaders and ultimately, this elevates us to greater spheres of influence where we can effectively advocate for better care for Indigenous people. I am motivated to put on an incredible PRIDoC for our global Indigenous physician family next summer in Vancouver. I am on the fundraising committee for PRIDoC and am planning a cultural event and circle on Indigenizing primary care.

Melanie Osmack
Executive Director, IPAC

Melanie Osmack is a 3rd generation settler of Northern European descent with Cree ancestry on her mother’s side. She lives with her family as a guest on the unceded and continuously occupied territories of the Musqueam, Squamish and Tsleil-Waututh Nations, also known as Vancouver, B.C. With a deep commitment to improving health outcomes for Indigenous communities across Canada, Melanie brings extensive experience and expertise to her role in the areas of policy development, advocacy, and community engagement. She believes in fostering meaningful relationships and partnerships which in turn allows IPAC to increase capacity and better serve its members. Melanie represents IPAC at the national level, while ensuring that our work is in line with our values and strategic priorities. On a personal level, she has a strong connection to her family and nature, spending her free time connecting with her loved ones and exploring the outdoors.

Dr. Martina Leialoha Kamaka
Founder, Past President, Past Poard Member, ʻAhahui o nā Kauka

Dr. Marcus Kāwika Iwane
ʻAhahui o nā Kauka

Dr. Marcus Kāwika Iwane was born and raised in Hawaii on the island of Oahu. He earned his medical degree from the University of Hawaii, John A. Burns School of Medicine (JABSOM) in 2010. He continued his training at the University of Hawaii Internal Medicine Residency Program and is board certified in internal medicine. He belongs to the American College of Physicians, Hawaii Chapter and serves as president of ‘Ahahui ‘o nā Kauka, the Association of Native Hawaiian Physicians. In 2014, Dr. Iwane joined Hawaii Permanente Medical Group, where he practices internal medicine. He is the chief of the Kaiser Permanente West Oahu Medical Office at Kapolei, known as Kīpukaoha, where he leads a collective effort with community organizations to create innovative programs and partnerships that promote Native Hawaiian health and healing. He serves as clinical faculty for JABSOM, the Kaiser Permanente Bernard Tyson School of Medicine and the Kaiser Permanente Hawaii Internal Medicine Residency Program. In 2018, Dr. Iwane was named to Pacific Business News’ 40 Under 40 list of exceptional leaders. Most recently, he was recognized on the peer-nominated list Best Doctors in America® and received the 2021 Kaiser Permanente David Lawrence Community Service Award. In 2023, Dr. Iwane completed the Climate and Health Equity Fellowship through the Medical Society Consortium on Climate and Health.

Kasey Tawhara
Chair of Te Ohu Rata o Aotearoa (Te ORA)

E ngā mana e ngā reo, e rau rangatira mā, tēnei te mihi ki a koutou katoa. Ko Kasey Tawhara ahau, and I am currently Kaihautū or Chair of Te Ohu Rata o Aotearoa (Te ORA) - the Māori Medical Practitioners Association of Aotearoa. My whānau whakapapa to Ngāti Raukawa, Ngāti Ruanui, Te Arawa and Ngāti Porou. I am Māmā to two, and currently live in Rotorua where I work as an Obstetrician & Gynaecologist. I am lucky to have "grown up" within the PRIDoC whānau as a medical student, and I owe much of my drive and passion for Indigenous health to the trailblazer PRIDoC elders who role modelled what it meant to strive for better outcomes for all our Indigenous Peoples. I believe that our people and communities have the answers to their own health, and I am there to empower their choices. I am proud to join the PRIDoC council this year, which aims to deliver a safe and inspirational space for Indigenous clinicians to come together and share knowledge.

Dr Simone Raye
President, AIDA

Dr Simone Raye is a proud Bardi Jabbir Jabbir woman from the Kimberley. As a medical student, Simone was closely involved with the initial meetings that led to the formation of AIDA.

She continues to work as a GP in Darwin and do healthcare advocacy work, plus provide mentoring and support to Indigenous medical doctors nationally.

Dr Jonathan Newchurch
Vice-President, AIDA

Ngai nari Jonathan Warritya Newchurch, Ngai yaitya miyu Kaurna Narungga anangku, Ngai Mikawomangga warni. ‘My name is Jonathan Second Born Male Newchurch, I am an Indigenous man of Kaurna and Narungga. I was born on the Mika plains, now known as the suburb of Woodville.’

I am a proud yaitya miyu (Indigenous man) of both Kaurna and Narungga heritage. My roots run into the heart of Kaurna Yarta (land), where I was raised in Tarntanyangga, known to many as Adelaide. My connection to this land and its traditions not only shapes my personal identity but greatly influences my professional journey in the medical field.

I hold a medical degree from Adelaide University. I went on to complete General Practice training, where my experiences took me across varied landscapes – from rural and remote clinics to the pivotal role in Aboriginal Medical Services. These diverse exposures enriched my perspective and solidified my commitment to providing holistic and culturally sensitive care. Eager to expand my horizons further, I delved into training in GP Anaesthetics. The intricacies of this domain provided a fresh challenge and allowed me to refine my expertise. My thirst for knowledge then led me to the realm of Pain Medicine. Working in public and private pain clinics, I’ve witnessed the intricate relationship between physical pain and emotional well-being, fostering a deeper understanding and empathy towards those I serve. Currently, I channel my experience and knowledge as a Principal Investigator in Clinical Trials. Here, I engage in research, striving to bridge the gaps in medical understanding and seeking novel solutions to health challenges.

PRIDoC COUNCIL