WHO WE ARE
WHO WE ARE
WHO WE ARE
The BC Emergency Health Services Foundation is a provincial fundraising organization created in 2013 to support BC Emergency Health Services.
We recognize with gratitude that our foundation provides support to BC Emergency Health Services employees who provide patient care on many traditional First Nations territories, covering all regions of British Columbia.
We are honoured to be on this land and acknowledge with respect the diverse histories and cultures of First Nations. Our foundation is committed to reconciliation, decolonization, supporting the provision of culturally safe services and building stronger relationships with Indigenous communities.
Every day, BC Emergency Health Services works to provide high-quality emergency pre-hospital care for patients across British Columbia. One of the largest ambulance services in North America, BCEHS dispatch teams and paramedics deal with over 600,000 calls annually and provide excellent emergency health care, patient transfer services and community health support for 5.2 million British Columbians over an area of almost one million square kilometres.
The BC Emergency Health Services Foundation helps to make this important work possible. The foundation raises funds and awareness in support of employee wellness and recognition initiatives, educational opportunities for paramedics and other employees, and innovative patient-care research and equipment.
To learn more about the work done by BC Emergency Health Services, visit bcehs.ca.
Our Vision:
Enhancing excellence in paramedicine for all the people of BC.
Our Purpose:
To champion our paramedics, dispatchers and support teams, who care for patients every minute of every day, in every corner of the province.
Our Values:
Integrity
– we lead with integrity, ensuring transparent and accountable stewardship in all our actions and initiatives.
Innovation
– we support programs, education and equipment that enhances the ability to provide and advance excellent patient care.
Equity & Diversity
– we focus on equitable outcomes and embrace the diversity of British Columbia’s culture, people and geography.
BCEHS Foundation Board Members
Teri Nicholas
Teri Nicholas retired after 10 years of serving as the president and CEO of BC Children’s Hospital Foundation, one of British Columbia’s largest charities. The foundation supports the work of BC Children’s Hospital, Sunny Hill Health Centre for Children, and the Child & Family Research Institute. Joining the foundation in January 2011, Teri successfully completed a $200-million capital campaign in support of the construction of a new BC Children’s Hospital. Under her leadership and with the support of thousands of individuals and organizations, the foundation raised more than $665 million for BC’s kids.
Prior to that, Teri was the CEO of Family Services of Greater Vancouver. She has over 35 years of senior leadership experience in the not-for-profit social-service sector, working closely with advocacy groups, community agencies, major donors, and with provincial and municipal governments. Throughout her career, Teri has contributed to many not-for-profit organizations provincially and nationally and has developed and implemented a range of services for marginalized populations in British Columbia.
Teri has a Bachelors degree from the University of Wisconsin and a Masters degree in Social Work from the University of British Columbia.
teri.nicholas@bcehsf.ca
Barb Fitzsimmons
Barbara Fitzsimmons retired in 2020 as Chief Operating Officer for B.C. Emergency Health Services (BCEHS). Prior to that, she spent more than 30 years at B.C. Children’s Hospital, first as a registered nurse in pediatric oncology, then in administrative roles with increasing responsibilities culminating in her appointment as the hospitals Senior Vice President in 2012. In 2015, she transitioned to BCEHS, and she took on the role of Chief Operating Officer in 2017.
Barb has also served on a variety of boards and as an adjunct faculty member at the University of British Columbia’s School of Nursing.
Since retirement she has taken on volunteer roles with Meals on Wheels, Evergreen Campus of Care, dog rescue organizations, and Elderdog Canada. She has both a Bachelor and Masters of Science in Nursing degrees from the University of British Columbia.
barb.fitzsimmons@bcehsf.ca
Dr. Stephen Wheeler
Steve Wheeler is an emergency room physician living in Victoria who has held multiple leadership positions with Island Health. Steve was instrumental in developing the Vancouver Island trauma system and helped develop the Autolaunch helicopter response program on Vancouver Island, which was expanded province-wide in 2006.
Steve was also part of the team that developed the Provincial Air Transport Advisors in 1997. In 2022 Steve retired from his role at BCEHS as medical director for Critical Care and Air Transport. Steve’s passion was and continues to be improving patient care through improving paramedic skills and job satisfaction.
In 2008 Steve took the lead in raising money for the Victoria General Hospital emergency department where he was instrumental in raising two million dollars for the project. Steve has also volunteered with the Boy Scouts of Canada.
Steve is an avid cyclist who also enjoys hiking and climbing in BC’s great outdoors.
steve.wheeler@bcehsf.ca
Leanne Heppell
Dr. Leanne Heppell joined PHSA in July 2021 from her position with Providence Health Care as chief operating officer acute care & chief of professional practice & nursing in April 2015. Prior to this role, Leanne was the vice president, patient safety and innovation; and chief of professional practice and nursing.
Leanne brings to her role over 20 years of senior leadership experience, including with Vancouver Coastal Health, Fraser Health and the BC Ambulance Service. She is a registered nurse with a Bachelor of Science in nursing from the University of Victoria. Leanne also graduated from UBC as a clinical nurse specialist in the Masters in Nursing program, and completed a Masters in Leadership from Royal Roads University in 2003. She is also an academic supervisor of leadership studies at Royal Roads University. Leanne is a values based leader with a focus on putting patients and families first. Leanne completed a Doctor of Business Administration in 2016.
leanne.heppell@bcehsf.ca
Heather Findlay
Heather Findlay is an accomplished transformational executive leader, certified coach, and strategic consultant with over two decades of senior leadership experience guiding organizations and teams through complex change, growth, and transition.
Having built her career in one of the world’s most complex sectors –healthcare– Heather’s expertise spans operations, strategy, leadership development, and organizational transformation. She has served in senior executive roles including Chief Operating Officer of BC Cancer and Chief Strategy Officer at the Provincial Health Services Authority, where she led large-scale initiatives focused on innovation, integration, and people-centered change.
Heather’s consulting and coaching approach is grounded in collaboration, communication, and connection – three essential drivers of effective leadership and organizational success. She partners with executives and teams to cultivate inclusive cultures, enhance performance, and build the capacity to lead with confidence, clarity, and compassion.
Known for her warmth, authenticity, and unwavering optimism, Heather’s guiding principle: Lead and live with purpose and passion.
Heather holds a Master of Arts in Leadership from Royal Roads University and credentials in Biomedical Engineering from the British Columbia Institute of Technology. She is a graduate of the Royal Roads University Certified Executive Coaching Program, an International Coaching Federation (ICF) Accredited Certified Coach (ACC), and an Emotional Intelligence EQ-i 2.0 and EQ360 Certified Practitioner.
heather.findlay@bcehsf.ca
BCEHS Foundation Board Members
Teri Nicholas
Teri Nicholas retired after 10 years of serving as the president and CEO of BC Children’s Hospital Foundation, one of British Columbia’s largest charities. The foundation supports the work of BC Children’s Hospital, Sunny Hill Health Centre for Children, and the Child & Family Research Institute. Joining the foundation in January 2011, Teri successfully completed a $200-million capital campaign in support of the construction of a new BC Children’s Hospital. Under her leadership and with the support of thousands of individuals and organizations, the foundation raised more than $665 million for BC’s kids.
Prior to that, Teri was the CEO of Family Services of Greater Vancouver. She has over 35 years of senior leadership experience in the not-for-profit social-service sector, working closely with advocacy groups, community agencies, major donors, and with provincial and municipal governments. Throughout her career, Teri has contributed to many not-for-profit organizations provincially and nationally and has developed and implemented a range of services for marginalized populations in British Columbia.
Teri has a Bachelors degree from the University of Wisconsin and a Masters degree in Social Work from the University of British Columbia.
teri.nicholas@bcehsf.ca
Barb Fitzsimmons
Barbara Fitzsimmons retired in 2020 as Chief Operating Officer for B.C. Emergency Health Services (BCEHS). Prior to that, she spent more than 30 years at B.C. Children’s Hospital, first as a registered nurse in pediatric oncology, then in administrative roles with increasing responsibilities culminating in her appointment as the hospitals Senior Vice President in 2012.
In 2015, she transitioned to BCEHS, and she took on the role of Chief Operating Officer in 2017.
Barb has also served on a variety of boards and as an adjunct faculty member at the University of British Columbia’s School of Nursing.
Since retirement she has taken on volunteer roles with Meals on Wheels, Evergreen Campus of Care, dog rescue organizations, and Elderdog Canada. She has both a Bachelor and Masters of Science in Nursing degrees from the University of British Columbia.
barb.fitzsimmons@bcehsf.ca
Dr. Stephen Wheeler
Steve Wheeler is an emergency room physician living in Victoria who has held multiple leadership positions with Island Health. Steve was instrumental in developing the Vancouver Island trauma system and helped develop the Autolaunch helicopter response program on Vancouver Island, which was expanded province-wide in 2006.
Steve was also part of the team that developed the Provincial Air Transport Advisors in 1997. In 2022 Steve retired from his role at BCEHS as medical director for Critical Care and Air Transport. Steve’s passion was and continues to be improving patient care through improving paramedic skills and job satisfaction.
In 2008 Steve took the lead in raising money for the Victoria General Hospital emergency department where he was instrumental in raising two million dollars for the project. Steve has also volunteered with the Boy Scouts of Canada.
Steve is an avid cyclist who also enjoys hiking and climbing in BC’s great outdoors.
steve.wheeler@bcehsf.ca
Leanne Heppell
Dr. Leanne Heppell joined PHSA in July 2021 from her position with Providence Health Care as chief operating officer acute care & chief of professional practice & nursing in April 2015. Prior to this role, Leanne was the vice president, patient safety and innovation; and chief of professional practice and nursing.
Leanne brings to her role over 20 years of senior leadership experience, including with Vancouver Coastal Health, Fraser Health and the BC Ambulance Service. She is a registered nurse with a Bachelor of Science in nursing from the University of Victoria. Leanne also graduated from UBC as a clinical nurse specialist in the Masters in Nursing program, and completed a Masters in Leadership from Royal Roads University in 2003. She is also an academic supervisor of leadership studies at Royal Roads University. Leanne is a values based leader with a focus on putting patients and families first. Leanne completed a Doctor of Business Administration in 2016.
leanne.heppell@bcehsf.ca
Heather Findlay
Heather Findlay is an accomplished transformational executive leader, certified coach, and strategic consultant with over two decades of senior leadership experience guiding organizations and teams through complex change, growth, and transition.
Having built her career in one of the world’s most complex sectors—healthcare – Heather’s expertise spans operations, strategy, leadership development, and organizational transformation. She has served in senior executive roles including Chief Operating Officer of BC Cancer and Chief Strategy Officer at the Provincial Health Services Authority, where she led large-scale initiatives focused on innovation, integration, and people-centered change.
Heather’s consulting and coaching approach is grounded in collaboration, communication, and connection – three essential drivers of effective leadership and organizational success. She partners with executives and teams to cultivate inclusive cultures, enhance performance, and build the capacity to lead with confidence, clarity, and compassion.
Known for her warmth, authenticity, and unwavering optimism, Heather’s guiding principle: Lead and live with purpose and passion.
Heather holds a Master of Arts in Leadership from Royal Roads University and credentials in Biomedical Engineering from the British Columbia Institute of Technology. She is a graduate of the Royal Roads University Certified Executive Coaching Program, an International Coaching Federation (ICF) Accredited Certified Coach (ACC), and an Emotional Intelligence EQ-i 2.0 and EQ360 Certified Practitioner.
heather.findlay@bcehsf.ca