Colleen McCain

Job Title
Clinical Planner

Department/Location
Vancouver Coastal Mental Health & Addictions

How long have you worked at VCH?
9 years.

Tell us what you do at VCH in one or two sentences:
Currently, I am in the role of Clinical Planner supporting projects to enhance VCH’s partnerships with First Nations Health Authority and the First Nations in the Vancouver Coastal Region with the aim to improve the mental health and wellness outcomes for First Nations individuals in our region. My regular position with VCH is as the Program Coordinator for the Tertiary Mental Health and Addiction Rehabilitation and Residential Programs at Willow Pavilion and Trout Lake units.

What’s your favourite thing about your work?
What keeps me excited about the work I do is being able to bring clients and staff together to create something that fosters health, wellness and a sense of community or belonging. As an Occupational Therapist, my work is grounded in finding creative ways for people to feel engaged in their lives, and enjoy a great sense of health as a result.

How does your work contribute to the VCH True North goals?
Currently, my work with the First Nations Health Authority and the First Nations in our region focuses on “promoting better health for our communities”. The VCH region includes includes fifteen First Nations and a large urban Aboriginal population. The legacy of colonization continues to contribute to the significant disparities in health outcomes for First Nations and Aboriginal people. Strengthening our partnerships between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal health care providers are critical to addressing these disparities through ensuring coordinated and culturally safe health and wellness services.

One thing we might be surprised to learn about you:
I biked across Canada – 9005 km! We live in a beautiful country and I highly recommend seeing it by bicycle.

Three things you always have in your fridge:
In the fridge… I am happiest when I have fresh veggies from our garden, hummus and a selection of tasty cheese.

Who or what inspires you?
My sister inspires me. She overcomes barriers everyday due to health issues, yet she finds ways to bring a strong voice to the importance of developing Accessible Communities through her blog and website – Citizens for Accessible Neighbourhoods BC (CANBC).

Most healthy habit:
Anytime and anyway I find to get outside into the forests or onto the water goes a long way in keeping me healthy – hiking, kayaking, trail running.

Favourite vacation spot:
Just came back from a trip hiking in the Dolomite Mountains in northern Italy and I can’t wait to get back.