James Anderson’s career in health care first started with the Local Health Integration Network, which was at the time, Ontario’s health system planner. James explains that this experience provided him with a foundation of a system-wide, team-based approach to healthcare. After 10 years, he then went on to join Dilico Anishinabek Family Care, as the Primary Care Manager. This position involved leading the primary care clinics, the Indigenous midwifery program, and working with the Rapid Access Addictions Medicine clinic. Currently, James is now the Assistant Director of Health and Wellness where he oversees various health programs and helps cultivate leaders within the organization. James explains how since joining Dilico Anishinabek Family Care, he has “grown to better understand the challenges that the Indigenous population encounters, and how to work toward improving health care to these communities”.
James has been a highly active member of the College through his extensive leadership. He explains he was “drawn to CCHL to further develop his leadership skills, and help emerging leaders to develop theirs”. In 2018 he helped with the re-establishment of the Northwestern Ontario Chapter and over the next two years, led a committee that helped determine the standings of the new chapter, how it would represent Northwestern Ontario and how the chapter could provide value to its members. In May of 2020, the revitalized Northwestern Ontario Chapter held its first Annual General Meeting and appointed its first executive.
James has had an overall rewarding career in healthcare but admits his greatest accomplishment yet in the industry was his work during the COVID-19 pandemic. “It was not something I thought I would encounter in my career”. James proudly explains that his organization was able to keep the communities they served safe and stepped up when help was most needed. As the pandemic rapidly escalated, James’s team at Dilico Anishinabek Family Care acted and responded quickly by keeping their communities safe and providing seven days a week, 24 hours a day support. This challenge “provided me with a different perspective around change management, communication, and the gaps in our healthcare system”.
Recognizing the importance of healthcare as a foundation for all communities, James pursued a career in this field aspiring to be part of the change needed to improve the system. “It can be a very frustrating system to work in. However, for that reason, I realize why we have to continue to fight for it and why it is important to continue to cultivate leadership within health care”.
When asked about his greatest piece of advice for aspiring health leaders, James claims the key is to “continue to be humble, curious and empathetic”. He admits that one of the greatest ways to grow your leadership skills is to learn from others. “Not one of us can do it on our own, and learning from others will only make us stronger. Be open to learning, as we can continue to grow from others and the experiences we live”. One quote James lives by is about how leaders only succeed when they work with each other, from an African Proverb, “If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.”
