Organization & Leadership
Regional Offices
Toll-free 1-888-340-6742
867 Thompson Drive South, Thompson MB R8N 1Z4
Phone: 204-677-5350 |
84 Church Street, Flin Flon MB R8A 1L8
Phone: 204-687-1300
163 Edwards Ave, The Pas MB R9A 1K2
Phone: 204-627-6800
Executive Leadership Council
Cameron Ritzer
Interim Chief Executive Officer
Contact: Nicole Daneliuk, Executive Assistant
Telephone: 204-687-3010
Email: [email protected]
My professional career began in 2001 following graduation from the Manitoba Emergency Services College. I have been employed in various Paramedic positions since then, including frontline Intermediate Care Paramedic, Primary Care Paramedic Educator with Red River College, and as a Regional Manager of Clinical Services for the Northern Health Region. I have spent the last 12 years of my career here in Northern Manitoba, where I have put down roots, and now call it home. I have served 2 terms as a director for the Paramedic Association of Manitoba, and a term as the Chair. I have been involved in many initiatives including the application for self-regulation of Paramedics under the regulated health professions act. In 2018 when Paramedics were transitioned under the RHPA, I was appointed by Order in Council to the Transitional Council for the College of Paramedics of Manitoba.
My professional passions have always been inter-professional care models and maximizing provider scope of practice; both of which endorse the Mission, Vision, and Values of the Northern Health Region. I strive to be innovative, and to truly model that practice to those that I work with. I am excited and proud to work alongside my colleagues in the Northern Health Region to be a sustainable and innovative healthcare organization that truly believes in Healthy People, Healthy North.
Micheal Ellis
Interim Associate Chief Executive Officer
Contact: Nicole Daneliuk, Executive Assistant
Telephone: 204-687-3010
Email: [email protected]
Raised in Thompson on Treaty 5 territory and a proud member of Sayisi Dene First Nation, I later relocated to Winnipeg to pursue my education, building a career grounded in integration and health system leadership. My approach is rooted in ethical governance and responsible system stewardship, supporting health system planning, and performance improvement. My work is guided by the recognition that First Nations and Indigenous Peoples hold enduring relationships and responsibilities to the land, water, and the protection of treaty and inherent rights.
As the Interim Associate CEO, I am committed to collaborative leadership that strengthens partnerships, promotes transparency and accountability, and supports shared priorities across the diverse populations served. The work centers on advancing safe, equitable, and culturally responsive care grounded in teamwork, continuous learning and dedicated service to the North.
Dr. Harsahil Singh, MBBS, CCFP, CCPE
VP Medical Services & Chief Medical Officer
Contact: Raylene Huntley, Executive Assistant
Telephone: 204-679-0849
Email: [email protected]
I was born in India, where I completed Medical School and moved to Manitoba in 2010. I completed additional training at the University of Manitoba to become a Family Physician and have since worked in Thompson, which I am proud to call my new home since 2014. My work in the North has been very diverse, including working as a Family Physician in Thompson Clinic and multiple remote First Nations communities, including Shamattawa, Oxford House, Lac Brochet, Split Lake and Tadoule Lake, as well as outlying communities of Lynn Lake, Leaf Rapids and Gillam. During these years, I grew a deep understanding of health service delivery in Northern Manitoba and the magnitude of inequities due to geographic isolation. Alongside my clinical work, I also invested in my leadership development through education and work experience. I started as the Medical Director of Primary Care clinics for Thompson and the surrounding area in 2016. During system transformation, I also served as the co-chair of the provincial clinical team for Primary Health with Shared Health Manitoba from 2018-2019, with the vision to democratize healthcare resources across the province. My other leadership experience includes Physician Champion of Physician Health and Wellness project of Doctors Manitoba, EMR (Electronic Medical Record) Peer Supporter Northern representative and being a mentor and a supervisor for other professionals. During these experiences, I also completed requirements to receive the prestigious Canadian Certified Physician Executive (CCPE) credential from the Canadian Society of Physician Leaders in 2021.
My personal goal is to reduce inequity and improve services to our Northern population by developing coalitions and challenging the status quo.
Chad Munro
VP Health Services Acute Care & Chief Nursing Officer
Contact: Stephanie Fourre, Executive Assistant
Telephone: 204-623-9202
Email: [email protected]
We have resilient care teams in the north that are as passionate as our population we serve. I look forward to our many successes to improve the service delivery for our patients. I have been a part of the north my entire life and will continue to honour the lands and waters where treaties four, five, six and ten were signed. This is where we raise our families, work, learn and play together.
Graduating from University College of The North and University of Manitoba in 2008 from the Joint Baccalaureate Nursing program has given me the opportunity to learn and practice as a Registered Nurse in acute settings all over the north. I am working towards completing my Masters of Nursing through Athabasca University. I believe in preparing our teams for success in a collaborative approach by establishing and meeting the foundational competency needs that are translated to the care our patients receive. Alignment with the clinical preventive services plan and health system transformation will bring care closer to home in the north.
My wife Shauna and I have been blessed with raising our two children in The Pas and area and believe in giving back to the communities through volunteering on various associations, coaching hockey and other sports.
As the VP of Acute Care and Chief Nursing Officer I will continue to advocate for our patients in the north to achieve accessible, respectful, inclusive and safe healthcare for everyone.
Mehmood Awan
VP Planning and Performance Optimization
Contact: Executive Assistant
Telephone: n/a
Email: [email protected]
I was trained as a physician and bring a background that spans healthcare delivery standards, strategic communications, and system transformation, with a particular focus on service design and organizational culture. Before relocating to Manitoba in 2015, I worked in the Middle East and North Africa in pharmaceuticals, medical insurance, and healthcare accreditation, experiences that shaped my understanding of stakeholder needs, patient and provider journeys, and diverse healthcare delivery models.
My work is grounded in a systems perspective that connects standards, performance, and execution to real-world service delivery.
As VP of Planning and Performance Optimization, I am committed to enabling the execution of our strategy in a way that supports an equitable, transparent, and continuously improving health system, one that uses data wisely, listens closely to communities, and supports staff in delivering the best possible care close to home.
Crystal Gregoire
VP Human Resources & Chief Human Resources Officer
Contact: Desirae Stait, Executive Assistant
Telephone: 204-623-9561
Email: [email protected]
I relocated to The Pas 25 years ago and began my career in Human Resources with the Northern Health Region (NHR) in 2006. In 2017, I completed my Bachelor’s Degree in Human Resources & Labour Relations from Athabasca University. Northern Manitoba has become my home, and it is here that my husband and I have chosen to stay and raise our two daughters. We love the outdoors, the adventures, and the many opportunities and experiences the North provides.
The employees of the NHR are a versatile and dynamic group of individuals who dedicate themselves to providing a high level of care to our patients, clients and communities. As the Vice President of Human Resources and Chief Human Resources Officer I am committed to fostering a workplace culture that supports, recognizes and appreciates our team of dedicated employees, and highlights the NHR as an Employer of Choice. I look forward to participating in and supporting change that will increases services and improves health care in the North.
Shawn Hnidy
VP Corporate Services & Chief Financial Officer
Contact: Executive Assistant
Telephone: n/a
Email: [email protected]
I have lived in The Pas for over 25 years, and in this time my wife and I have raised two children and have owned and operated a small business. I was a business instructor at University College of the North before I joined the Northern Regional Health Authority (“NRHA”) in the Corporate Services area in 2013. As the Chief Financial Officer and VP of Corporate Services, I have the support of a knowledgeable staff that is dedicated to provide the proper business support to the healthcare providers of the NRHA as we all work together to ensure that the residents of the Northern Region have access to healthcare services in the North. As a member of the Executive Leadership Council, I am committed to work for the residents of the Northern Health Region to attain our vision of Healthy People, Healthy North.
Leslie Power
Chief Indigenous Health Officer
Contact: Ashley McLean Executive Assistant
Telephone: 204-681-3021
Email: [email protected]
The North is home, not just for me but for the many resilient, vibrant people and communities that shape it. I was born and raised in Flin Flon and have deep-rooted connections to the North, which I continue to nurture while raising my two children. I am a proud member of Sapotaweyak Cree Nation on Treaty 4 Territory. My lifelong commitment to working with and for Indigenous communities is shaped by both personal and professional experiences.
Throughout my career, I have focused on advocacy, partnership development, and addressing the unique needs of Indigenous peoples. Since joining the NHR in 2022, I have led initiatives that elevate Indigenous voices and enhance the patient experience in healthcare. I am dedicated to strengthening relationships, integrating Indigenous perspectives, and driving meaningful change to improve health outcomes for Indigenous communities across the Region.