Regional Advisory Council 13 - Health

Jacen Abrey has committed his life to public service, with over three decades of experience in emergency management, fire services and community recovery. A registered paramedic and long-time firefighter, Jacen has served at the municipal, provincial and federal government levels. 

He was honoured with the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal for work supporting urban Indigenous populations through recovery and healing initiatives. Jacen was instrumental in developing and opening Bringing the Spirit Home, a culturally rooted recovery facility on the Blood Reserve. His deep understanding of Indigenous health, recovery and emergency response resulted in him being appointed to assist in developing the Alberta Recovery Plan.

In 2017, after retiring from the Canada Border Services Agency, Scott MacCumber was elected to the Coutts village council. He began as a councillor and has served as mayor since 2024. Scott is also the chair of the Milk River health professionals attraction and retention committee and the president of the Coutts Recreation and Arts Society. 

He has always been active in the community, previously serving as a first responder with Coutts fire and rescue, as well as coaching youth sports for many years. Scott strongly believes that access to health care services close to home is a priority for all Albertans.

Don Anderberg’s early career was in fixed operations management in automotive dealerships. He is a journeyman partsman and has professional purchasing experience. From 1994 to 2024, Don owned and operated an oilfield and industrial supply store. He was first elected to Pincher Creek town council in 2001 and has served six terms on council and is now in his 15th year as mayor. 

Don is a life member of Ducks Unlimited Canada, volunteering for 35 years. He has participated in the establishment and governance of many municipal boards and organizations, such as the Pincher Creek emergency services commission, the Oldman River regional services commission and the Highway 3 twinning development committee.

Jeff Bell works as a health care manager and has over 20 years’ experience in operations, project commissioning and team leadership. He began his career as a licensed practical nurse. Moving into a management role, he earned respect for his approachable and effective leadership. His expertise spans labour relations, negotiations, organizational and financial management. 

Jeff has led the opening of new supportive living homes and contributed to a provincial directive on collaborative practice. He holds a nursing diploma, business training and certificates in communication, mediation and ethics. Jeff serves on the College of Licensed Practical Nurses Association Hearing Tribunal, the Alberta Continuing Care Association and Taber recreation board. He also enjoys coaching basketball and volunteering locally.

After a 23-year career as a federal public servant, Joel Bermack retired in 2023. He has lived in Lethbridge with his wife and family since 1990, which is also when he began volunteering as president of the local Boys and Girls Club. Joel’s journey with Alberta’s health care system started after a serious accident. Since then, he has been volunteering his time and giving back to the health care system. 

Joel is co-chair of Alberta Health Services’ Provincial Patient and Family Advisory Councils and the Alberta Surgical Initiative. In addition, he volunteers in the Chinook Hospital emergency department two nights a week.

Barbara Boyer obtained her registered nurse diploma from the University Hospital in Edmonton and her baccalaureate and master’s degrees in nursing from the University of Calgary. Prior to retirement in 2020, she had more than 30 years of leadership experience in health service organizations, including 12 years as an independent health care consultant. 

Barbara has been an active community volunteer since high school, serving with many non-profit and government organizations like the Alberta College of Optometrists Council and the Government of Alberta Attendance Board. Recently, she has been volunteering in the pet visitation program at a local care centre. Barbara has lived in various communities throughout Alberta and moved to Pincher Creek when she retired.

Dexter Durfey started his career with Cardston County in 1991, and in 1995 he joined the Westwind School Division. He served as the secretary treasurer there until 2017, when he moved to the Palliser School Division in the same role. Dexter remained at Palliser until his retirement in June 2024. 

For two terms, he served as the elected president of the Association of School Business Officials of Alberta. Over the past 35 years, Dexter has volunteered with many non-profit and community organizations. He is currently the treasurer for the Friends of the Remington Carriage Museum in Cardston. 

Crystal Elliott is the chief executive officer of the Chinook Regional Hospital Foundation. She has more than three decades of leadership experience in the health care and non-profit sectors. Crystal previously led the Family Centre Society of Southern Alberta and served as a director with the Saskatchewan Health Authority. She is currently leading the Bringing Hearts Home – Cardiac Centre of Excellence campaign. 

With Chinook as the lead foundation, the goal is to raise $30 million to improve cardiac care access in southern Alberta. Crystal is a registered psychiatric nurse by training, which gives her both personal and professional insight into the impacts of health care innovations. Her work is grounded in strategic leadership, stakeholder engagement, and a passion for health care and philanthropy. 

Shaelynn is a health-system leader based in Lethbridge. As director of educational programs with Health Innovation Group, she leads provincial and national primary care improvement initiatives. Her work focuses on the strategic development and delivery of patients’ medical/health home transformation programs.

Shaelynn holds a bachelor of arts and a bachelor of education degree from the University of Lethbridge. She began her career teaching in rural communities, including Pincher Creek. Shaelynn resides in Lethbridge with her husband and two young children and is passionate about improving the health care experience of families in southern Alberta. 

Blaine Hyggen has been serving as the mayor of Lethbridge since October 2021. Prior to his mayoral role, he was a dedicated city councillor from 2013 to 2021. Blaine is a seasoned businessperson, having owned and operated various small businesses in the community for over 28 years. 

As mayor, Blaine focuses on community safety, homeless and encampment strategies and local health access. He is also the co-chair of the Cardiac Sciences Advisory Cabinet, bringing the southern Alberta region together in the pursuit of full cardiac science service in the community.

Jibin Jacob is a dedicated physiotherapist with over eight years of experience in acute care and community settings. He currently serves as a clinical lead with Alberta Health Services in Lethbridge. Jibin holds a masters in healthy aging and rehabilitation and specializes in community-based rehabilitation. 

Having migrated to Canada from India in 2016, he has called Lethbridge home since 2022. Jibin volunteers on Spinal Cord Injury Alberta’s board of directors. His passion for continuous learning and community-focused health care drives his commitment to enhancing outcomes for Albertans.

Jared Kenly is a town councillor in Cardston who cares deeply about his community. He always strives to make it better – not just for today, but for future generations. As a medical laboratory technologist, Jared has learned the value of precision, accountability and teamwork – qualities he brings to every role he takes on, especially in public service. 

Beyond his professional work, Jared volunteers on two boards and has been involved in projects that improve public spaces, promote active living and support quality care for seniors. He is a husband and a proud father to two amazing children. Together they enjoy playing sports, exploring the outdoors, or simply being together helps him stay grounded and motivated.