As we build the SFU Medical School’s interim leadership team, Dr. Dilson Etcheverry Rassier and Dr. David Price are delighted to announce—particularly as we near National Day for Truth and Reconciliation— the appointment of Dr. Evan Adams to the role of acting associate dean Indigenous health and special advisor to the Provost and VP Academic as of Monday, September 25, 2023. Dr. Adams served on the Admissions and Learner Experience Working Group, providing input to the SFU Medical School’s business case, and is a visiting professor in the Faculty of Health Sciences.

Dr. Adams received his MD from the University of Calgary Cumming School of Medicine and his Masters of Public Health from Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health in Baltimore, Maryland. He undertook the Aboriginal Family Medicine residency training program at St. Paul's Hospital and is a past president of the Indigenous Physicians Association of Canada.

A proud community member of Coast Salish Tla’amin Nation, Dr. Adams is a past Chief Medical Officer of the First Nations Health Authority (FNHA). He currently acts as Deputy Chief Medical Officer, where he champions the improvement of overall public health and wellness of First Nations communities in B.C. and advocates for the transformation of health care systems in service of culturally safe care.

As part of this new role, Dr. Adams will keep the FNHA apprised of the school’s development efforts and progress. “I am delighted that Dr. Adams has joined SFU Medical School in an acting capacity to embed First Nations, Inuit and Metis perspectives on health and wellness, as well as hardwire cultural safety and humility, into the curriculum,” says Dr. Nel Wieman, Chief Medical Officer at the FNHA. “During his time at the FNHA, Dr. Adams has been a major contributor to transforming health care for First Nations in B.C. We now look forward to working alongside him and SFU Medical School to shape a new generation of primary care physicians,” says Richard Jock, the FNHA’s Chief Executive Officer.  

Over the past two decades, Dr. Adams has held influential public health positions nationally and in B.C., including Deputy Chief Medical Officer, First Nations & Inuit Health Branch Headquarters with Indigenous Services Canada and Deputy Provincial Health Officer for Aboriginal Health with the B.C. Ministry of Health. During his time in these roles, he has worked in close partnership with government and provided independent direction on Indigenous health concerns while continuing to pursue his research interests, which lie at the intersections of environment, land, community and holistic wellness.

His knowledge, experience and insights are welcomed as the SFU Medical School works to embed Indigenous knowledge systems within its foundations.

Please join us in congratulating Dr. Adams on his new role with the SFU Medical School.