Pamela Williamson, PhD

Dr. Pamela Williamson is a member of Moose Deer Point First Nation and the Sturgeon (N’Me) clan. She was raised and currently lives on Mnidoo Mnising (Manitoulin Island), Ontario, where she resides with her husband of 43 years. She has three adult children, a daughter-in-law, and two grandchildren.

Dr. Williamson holds a doctorate in Administration, Higher Education from the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education at the University of Toronto. She also holds a Master’s degree focused on Higher Education, which was acquired from Central Michigan University.

For over fifteen years, Pamela was the Executive Director of a progressive Indigenous primary health care organization, Noojmowin Teg Health Centre, comprised of a multi-disciplinary team of specialized professionals including medical, mental health and addictions, health promotion, and traditional services. During that time, she participated with local and provincial partners in external advocacy with government funders, in developing new programs and services, recruitment and retention, attaining an accreditation designation for the health centre, participating in community focused health research, and developing a health integration model at the local level. Prior to 2005, she worked within post-secondary education at the Ontario community college level (Cambrian and Sault colleges) in various roles – director, professor, education counsellor support, placement supervisor, and researcher.

She is a published author and researcher.

Dr. Williamson recently retired and is currently working part-time as an entrepreneur and sole owner of Biish Management and Consulting, accepting contracts primarily from Indigenous health and First Nations organizations.

She continues to be an advocate and to promote awareness of the needs and priorities of First Nations, Indigenous and rural communities through participation on national, provincial, and regional boards and councils. Pamela currently sits on the National Seniors Council (reporting to the Minister of Labour and Seniors and the Minister of Health), Skhaabe Makwa Council (Centre for Addictions and Mental Health [CAMH]), and the Postsecondary Education Quality Assessment Board (PEQAB). She also sits on the IQVIA Advisory Board, a for-profit health data research organization. Dr. Williamson also served for a number of years on the Health Sciences North Research Institute Board of Directors, including as member and chair of the HSNRI Research Advisory Committee.

Dr. Williamson looks forward to participating on the Health Sciences North Board of Directors, and supporting and contributing to the direction and health priorities of HSN.