Regional Advisory Council 6 - Health

Brenda Rebman is a certified human resources professional who has been working in Alberta for more than 20 years. During this time, she held leadership roles with mental health and the health authorities. Earlier in her career, she was actively involved in health reform in Saskatchewan and British Columbia. 

Brenda’s volunteer board assignments include Central Alberta Women’s Shelter, Red Deer Hospice and Alberta Council of Women’s Shelters. Brenda holds a master’s degree in business and organizational development. She is also a certified coach and leadership development consultant currently living in Pigeon Lake after living in Red Deer. 

Ifrah Anjum grew up in Wetaskiwin. For the last two years, she has been involved in her family-owned accounting and tax preparation business. Ifrah volunteers within her local community at the Wetaskiwin Hospital and Long-term Care Centre. 

She has served on different advisories and has been a patient partner in the Alberta Support for Patient Oriented Research SUPPORT Unit, and currently co-chairs the Alberta Youth Health Advisory. Ifrah holds a bachelor of science in honours physiology from the University of Alberta. 

Nancy Dodds proudly serves as mayor of Drayton Valley, bringing over seven years of experience as an elected official. She is passionate about community development, education and improving quality of life. Nancy has been a strong advocate for enhancing access to health care and supporting initiatives such as the health care aide program and the rural bachelor of nursing program. 

She is deeply connected to her community and committed to addressing critical shortages in health care. Nancy is grateful for the opportunity to serve on a regional advisory council to further champion the health and well-being of Albertans.

Kathy Duerr has worked in rural health care for over 40 years as a technologist. She lives on an acreage near Whitecourt and has been working at the Whitecourt Healthcare Centre in diagnostic imaging and cardiac services for 25 years. 

Kathy has volunteered with blood donor clinics, mobile mammogram services and has served as a committee member for the Alberta College of Combined Lab and Xray Technologists. She enjoys getting to know the many people she meets through her work and her varied interests.

Bill Elliot’s 32-year career as a teacher/principal and 32 years on city council (seven as mayor) have provided him with much community interaction, insight and understanding. A lifelong volunteer, Bill chaired the Wetaskiwin Health Foundation Board and served on the David Thompson Regional Health Advisory Council. 

He also served on and chaired many boards, including Wetaskiwin Victim Services, BGC Wetaskiwin, Horizons Centre, Wetaskiwin and Yellowhead Regional Library Boards and the Community Safety/Well-being Committee. Bill lives by the mantra “Seek first to understand.” He continues to give back to his community through volunteer activities and enjoys spending time with his family.

Jeff Goebel moved to Swan Hills in 1985 and has been on town council since 2010. Since 1988, he has actively volunteered in the community coaching minor hockey and minor ball. Jeff has served as president for both organizations and was the Parent Advisory Council chair for several years. 

Jackson Heraid is a registered nurse and paramedic from a large Indigenous family, spending much of his youth in the Cold Lake and Kehewin areas. With over 20 years’ experience in emergency services and Indigenous health, he leads mental health and community education programs with Maskwacis Ambulance and teaches in the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology’s School of Health and Life Sciences. 

Jackson co-developed one of Western Canada’s largest Indigenous-led 24-hour mobile crisis teams, served on a research ethics board and regularly speaks and teaches across Alberta. He has also volunteered with numerous health and public education initiatives throughout his career.

Rhonda Lees has been a registered nurse for 40 years with experience in acute care, long-term care and public health. Through a public health partnership program with Alberta Child and Family Services, Rhonda provided support to underserved women as a professional mentor. 

She has also worked as an educator in the locally delivered licensed practical nurse program. Currently, Rhonda is enrolled in a master’s degree program in spiritual mentorship. In addition, she has volunteered as an athletic coach in high school sports and has a decade of experience serving on her local constituency association, most recently in executive positions.

Kelly has been the mayor of Alberta Beach since November 2023. He believes community engagement is the backbone of a thriving village and understands the power of collective efforts and the strength that comes from a connected community. Alongside his role as mayor, he is also the principal at Darwell School in the Northern Gateway Public Schools division. Kelly is an experienced and connected administrator. 

His dedication to student success, strong ties to local communities, and extensive experience collaborating with individuals, organizations and diverse communities are among his key strengths. Kelly holds a bachelor of education from the University of Alberta and a master of education in leadership in education from City University.

Randy Rye is the lead pastor at Life Church Drayton Valley and has lived in the town for 22 years. From 2004 to 2012, he served as hospital chaplain. Now, Randy is the Royal Canadian Mounted Police chaplain and volunteers weekly at Opportunity Home, a men's recovery centre. 

For two years, he was the vice-president of the Drayton Valley Chamber of Commerce and is currently a board member for Drayton Valley-Devon riding. 

Dana Severson is a long-term resident of Whitecourt. With a background in public policy, economic development and stakeholder engagement, Dana works to foster economic conditions that support accessible, high-quality health care in rural communities. 

She is an experienced business advocate with a focus on regional investment attraction, workforce skill retention and system efficiency – key drivers of sustainable, resilient communities. As a mother of three, Dana has a particular interest in enhancing women’s health services and supporting innovative solutions to improve health care access in rural areas. 

John Strong has been the executive director of the Wetaskiwin Health Foundation since 2015. He helps co-ordinate fundraising efforts for five central Alberta hospitals (Wetaskiwin, Olds, Rimbey, Innisfail and Sundre) and one urgent care centre (Sylvan Lake). 

Through his passion for health care, John has been instrumental in completing over $25 million in projects and equipment purchases for these communities. He is an avid volunteer in the community and coaches high school and club volleyball. John grew up in Edson and graduated from the University of Alberta.