Community Development Team

Island Health’s Community Development Program aims to reduce health inequities and promote healthier, more resilient communities through a community-led, collaborative approach. Central to this effort are Community Health Promoters (CHPs), who work closely with local organizations, local government and community partners to improve public health outcomes. By prioritizing community conversations, capacity-building, and collective action, the program supports health promotion, injury prevention, and health protection, focusing on both immediate and emerging public health challenges. This strategy emphasizes long-term, sustainable solutions to enhance the well-being of communities across the Island Health region.

Community Development Guiding Principles

• Health equity
• Cultural humility
• Community engagement

Who we are

We are a multidisciplinary team lead by Medical Health Officers (MHOs), with Community Health Promoters, Healthy Built Environment Consultants, and a wide range of specialized health staff, including:

• Community Health Promoters
• Healthy Build Environment Consultants
• Injury Prevention Specialists
• Public Health Dietitians
• Healthy Public Policy Consultants
• School Health Promoters
• Public Health Nurses
• Tobacco & Vapour Reduction team
• Climate Health Specialists
• Disaster, Risk and Resilience team

Community Development Priority Areas

Community Health Promoters (CHPs) are critical in connecting local communities to the expertise and resources of Population and Public Health, within Island Health. This connection to Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) enhances the effectiveness of community-driven health initiatives across five priority areas:

• Climate Change and Resilience: CHPs will collaborate with SMEs to address the health impacts of climate change by fostering preparedness and resilience around extreme weather, air quality, and climate-related health effects.
• Youth Mental Health and Wellness: In partnership with mental health SMEs, CHPs will support initiatives aimed at improving youth mental health outcomes and reducing stigma surrounding mental health challenges.
• Social Determinants of Health: CHPs will liaise with SMEs to address key factors such as housing, transportation, food security, and education, ensuring vulnerable populations receive resources and services they need to thrive.
• Indigenous Health and Wellness: CHPs will engage with Indigenous health experts to support Indigenous-led initiatives, promote self-determination, and involve Indigenous communities in health decision-making and policy development.
• Emerging Health Threats: In collaboration with public health SMEs, CHPs will assist in preparing communities for emerging health threats, including communicable diseases and extreme weather, ensuring coordinated responses.
• System Navigation: CHPs will facilitate connections between local communities and PPH SMEs, ensuring that community health initiatives and policies are informed by expert guidance and aligned with current best practices.

Examples of support

• Food Security Planning
• Supporting climate initiatives that build healthier communities
• Climate resilience conversations
• Navigating Island Health funding and resources
• Sharing evidence informed health resources
• Sharing community health priorities with Island Health
• Supporting priority populations through workshops and education
• Accessing health data, interpretation and analysis

Regional Community Health Promoters can help you navigate Population & Public Health services. Regional contacts are noted below.

Mount Waddington
Leslie Dyck -  Leslie.Dyck@islandhealth.ca

Strathcona & Comox Valley
Megan Tomlinson - Megan.Tomlinson@islandhealth.ca

Alberni Clayoquot 
Faye Missar - Faye.Missar@islandhealth.ca

Nanaimo Region
Brandon Riopka - Brandon.Riopka@islandhealth.ca

Cowichan Valley
Fernanda Gutierrez Matos - Fernanda.GutierrezMatos@islandhealth.ca

Capital Region
Jane Finerty - Jane.Finerty@islandhealth.ca