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BCCNM appoints new Chief Officer, welcomes Indigenous Cultural Safety and Humility Consultant


Jul 14, 2022

​BCCNM is pleased to announce the appointment of Louise Aerts, MBA, as Chief Officer, Strategy, Governance, and Reconciliation.

As Registrar and Executive Director of the College of Midwives of BC from 2014 to 2020, Louise led the regulator through a period of transformation that included changes to the Midwives Regulation, a complete revision of the bylaws, as well as an amalgamation with the BC College of Nursing Professionals, which took effect in September 2020.

Following the amalgamation, Louise served as BCCNM's Executive Director, Strategy & Integration, supporting the initial integration of the legacy colleges' regulatory functions as well as facilitating the new college's strategic and operational planning processes. She also led the work to create BCCNM's Cultural Safety and Humility action plan, working closely with First Nations Elders and Advisors, upon whose territories and lands the College works.

In her new role, Louise will support the board, committees, and organization on strategy and governance matters. Her Reconciliation work will ensure that the critical concepts of Reconciliation, equity, diversity, and inclusion will be integrated into all aspects of BCCNM's work.

New Indigenous Cultural Safety and Humility Consultant

We are also excited to announce that Rhianna Millman will be joining BCCNM on August 23, in the newly developed role of Indigenous Cultural Safety and Humility Consultant. Rhianna is a member of the Métis Nation of British Columbia, with her ancestral roots stemming back to the Red River Settlement. Working closely with Louise, Rhianna will advance BCCNM's work to help dismantle Indigenous-specific racism within BC's health-care system. She will also help to build capacity within the critical concepts of Cultural Safety and Humility, Reconciliation, equity, diversity, and inclusion, and ensure that these principles are grounded in all aspects of BCCNM's work.

Rhianna brings a wealth of professional and lived experience to this role. Over the past eight years, she has worked to address anti-Indigenous specific racism, anti-racism, inclusion, and accessibility in health. Rhianna is the family, caregiver, and advocate of Keegan Combes and the co-author of "Remembering Keegan, a BC First Nations Case Study Reflection" in partnership with the First Nations Health Authority. Through her work, she has built meaningful relationships across different levels of government and within Indigenous communities; she has also served on numerous boards and committees in both an oversight and advisory capacity.

Please join us in celebrating both Louise and Rhianna in their new roles!