Board of Health Members

Karen Cook was appointed to the Board of Health by the City of North Bay as a citizen appointee.

Karen was a registered nurse for nearly 40 years, with the majority of her career on the birthing unit at both St. Joseph Hospital and the North Bay Regional Health Centre.

Karen sat on many hospital committees allowing her to advocate on behalf of both patients and nurses. Karen also had the opportunity to assist in implementing three advanced obstetrical programs to the birthing unit. The MORE OB program is ongoing and involves the entire nursing staff and physicians. The program provides ongoing education, skills drills and emergency scenarios, and strengthens teamwork.

Sara Inch was appointed to the Board of Health by the City of North Bay as a municipal appointee.

Sara is a proud resident of the City of North Bay and a first-term member of City Council. She has been self-employed in the allied health field for more than 20 years and is the mother of three children. Sara is a graduate of Nipissing University, holding degrees in Philosophy and Education. She has volunteered with Amelia Rising and is passionate about science, public health, and giving back to the community.

Jamie Lowery was appointed to the Board of Health by the City of North Bay as a municipal appointee.

Jamie holds an undergraduate degree in English and Biology from University of Guelph, a diploma in Landscape Architecture from Toronto Metropolitan University, and a post-graduate certificate in Executive Coaching from Royal Roads University.

Jamie has extensive leadership experience in both the public and private sectors. He served as Chief Executive Officer of a district long-term care home for eight years and later as Commissioner of Community Services for the City of Brampton before relocating to North Bay in 2015.

Committed to community service, Jamie has volunteered with numerous charities and organizations, including serving as Co-Chair of the Nipissing Ontario Health Team. He is also an active coach and board member with the North Bay and District Girls Hockey Association (Ice Boltz) and is involved in advancing innovative seniors' services through Castle Arms.

Jamie is a devoted husband and father of five children. In the past year, he has also embraced a new role as “Poppa” to two grandchildren.

Alex Scott was appointed to the Board of Health by the City of North Bay as a citizen appointee.

Alex was born and raised in Almonte, Ontario, and relocated to North Bay in 2007 to pursue postsecondary studies at Nipissing University. He brings extensive professional experience in the financial services sector, having held roles in sales, analysis, and account management.

Alex holds a Bachelor of Business Administration from Nipissing University and a Master of Business Administration from Carleton University. He currently serves as a Senior Account Manager at the Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC), where he supports businesses with strategic financial solutions.

In addition to his professional role, Alex is a part-time professor at Nipissing University and has previously taught at Canadore College.

Dave Wolfe was appointed to the Board of Health by the City of North Bay as a citizen appointee.

Born and raised in Sault Ste. Marie, Dave lived in Toronto for several years before moving to North Bay in 1991. He brings approximately 20 years of experience as a writer, analyst, and account manager in the communications industry, serving clients across the private, public, not-for-profit, and charitable sectors.

As a dedicated volunteer public servant, Dave has contributed to numerous boards, agencies, and committees in areas including immigration, energy, the arts, healthcare, education, justice, and municipal governance. His educational background includes studies in Small Business Management, Communication Arts/Public Relations, and training in Alternative Dispute Resolution.

In addition to serving on the Board of Health, Dave is a board member with North Bay Hydro Distribution, Canadore College, The Multicultural Centre, and Capitol Centre. His extensive community involvement reflects a longstanding commitment to strengthening organizations and improving the quality of life for residents across the region.

Rick Champagne was appointed to the Board of Health by the eastern sector of the District of Nipissing as a municipal appointee.

Rick brings extensive experience in public service and governance, having previously served on the Board of Health as a municipal appointee from 1998 to 2000 and as a provincial appointee from 2005 to 2015. Throughout his years of service, he has been a strong advocate for public health and the important role it plays in supporting healthy communities.

With more than 22 years of involvement in municipal politics, Rick has developed a deep understanding of community needs and public-sector leadership. His long-standing commitment to public service continues through his work on the Board of Health.

Rick is retired from the family business after 26 years of operation. He and his wife are proud parents of four children and grandparents to four grandchildren.

In his retirement, Rick enjoys spending time outdoors, particularly fishing, snowmobiling, and travelling.

Blair Flowers was appointed to the Board of Health by the northeast sector of the District of Parry Sound as a municipal appointee.

Blair holds a bachelor’s degree with minors in Biology and Chemistry, as well as a Master of Public Health degree from Loma Linda University.

For 47 years, Blair has successfully operated a contracting business in the South River area, building strong connections within the community while maintaining a longstanding interest in public health and health education.

Blair and his wife of 51 years, a retired nurse, have dedicated significant time to international health promotion initiatives. Together with a physician from the northeast Parry Sound district, they have spent several weeks each year for more than 20 years promoting health education in Chile and Ecuador. In Ecuador, much of their work focused on supporting and educating Indigenous Quechua communities.

Blair’s extensive experience in business, public health, and community service brings a valuable perspective to the Board of Health and its efforts to improve the health and well-being of residents across the district.

Jamie McGarvey was appointed to the Board of Health by the western sector of the District of Parry Sound as a municipal appointee.

A lifelong resident of the Parry Sound area, Jamie has dedicated more than four decades to public service and community leadership. He served as a municipal councillor for 29 years before being elected Mayor of the Town of Parry Sound in 2010, a position he continues to hold. Throughout his career, Jamie has contributed to numerous local, area, and district committees, bringing extensive experience in municipal governance and community development.

Jamie also served as President of the Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) from 2018 to 2020, following seven years on its Board of Directors and leadership roles on several task forces. As AMO President, he represented the interests of Ontario’s 444 municipalities in discussions with the provincial government.

Among his notable achievements are advancing affordable housing initiatives, helping secure $4 billion in federal and provincial support to address the economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on municipalities, and advocating successfully against proposed reductions to the Ontario Municipal Partnership Fund grants.

Jamie’s extensive municipal leadership experience and commitment to community well-being provide valuable insight and guidance to the Board of Health.

Marianne Stickland was appointed to the Board of Health by the southeast sector of the District of Parry Sound as a municipal appointee.

More coming soon.

Tim Sheppard serves on the Board of Health as a provincial appointee.

Tim has lived and worked in the North Bay area for 29 years and retired from the Ontario Provincial Police as a Sergeant after a distinguished 34-year career in policing. He continues to be actively involved in the community as the Emergency Management Coordinator for the Municipality of East Ferris and has previously served as a municipal appointee on the East Ferris Police Services Board. Tim has also volunteered with Cassellholme Home for the Aged.

Tim holds a diploma in Law and Security Administration from Sir Sandford Fleming College and has completed numerous police and emergency management courses throughout his career. He possesses extensive practical and academic knowledge in emergency management, crisis response, and public safety within the Province of Ontario.

His broad experience in emergency preparedness, risk management, and community service provides valuable expertise to the Board of Health and supports its commitment to protecting and promoting the health of communities across the district.