Our Team

Jamaica Cass, Director

Dr. Cass, a proud member of the Mohawks of the Bay of Quinte, is a nationally recognized leader in Indigenous health and medical education. She practices as a primary care and obesity medicine physician on-reserve at Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory. She also serves within the Department of Family Medicine as the Director of Indigenous Health and the Program Director for the Indigenous Health Enhanced Skills Program. 

Jamaica holds the distinction of being the first Indigenous woman in Canada to earn both an MD and a PhD. Her career is marked by an unwavering commitment to advancing reconciliation in health care and medical education. She has held several high-impact leadership roles, including Co-Chair of Ontario Health’s inaugural Quality Standards Committee on Cultural Safety and Indigenous Health, Chair of the Academic Advisory Council of the National Indigenous Circle on Medical Education, and member of the Boards of the Indigenous Physicians Association of Canada and the Medical Council of Canada. She also previously served as the Indigenous Health Lead at Toronto Metropolitan University’s School of Medicine.

Her work in mentorship, education, and community leadership has earned widespread recognition. Among her many national accolades is the King Charles III Coronation Medal, awarded in honour of her exceptional contributions to Indigenous health and reconciliation.

Contact: jamaica.cass@queensu.ca

Sarah Funnell, Associate Dean, Indigenous Health

Dr. Funnell leads efforts to incorporate Indigenous health and cultural perspectives into health education, administration, research, and clinical practice. She provides guidance and advice to QHS leaders strategically guiding QHS in its actions to achieve reconciliation, including to the Queen’s-Weeneebayko Program. As Chair of Indigenous Health, she develops, conducts, and supports scholarship and ways of Indigenous knowing within QHS. Dr. Funnell also fosters and supports the education, supervision, and mentorship of learners  and promotes continuing professional development for faculty. Dr. Funnell is also an Assistant Professor in the Department of Family Medicine.

Jacob DesRochers

Dr. Jacob DesRochers is a curriculum theorist and educator whose work bridges sexuality education, public health, and culturally sustaining pedagogy. As a member of the Queen’s-Weeneebayko Health Education Program team, his work explores how relational approaches—particularly those rooted in place, kinship, and community knowledge—can transform educational systems and expand pathways for Indigenous learners.

Samantha Cutrara

Samantha Cutrara, PhD, is an Educational Strategist with over 20 years' experience in curriculum, program development, and youth-focused education praxis. Dr. Cutrara is a third-generation Torontonian, with additional family lineage being traced to the early days of French settlement in Canada. As a published author and keynote speaker, Dr. Cutrara's work is historically-grounded and focused on transformative change for the present and future. For more on her publications, presentations, and professional experience see LinkedIn.

Patricia Fletcher, Project Manager

As project manager, Patricia Fletcher’s focus is on supporting the team to achieve the program’s ambitious goals. Patricia was born in Kingston and attended Queen’s University but has lived most of her life in Europe. She recently moved back to Kingston and has is honoured to be a part of the innovative, inspiring and necessary work of the Program.

Ashley Wabano, Administrative Assistant

My name is Ashley Wabano. I was born and raised in Treaty 9 territory along the James Bay coast. I am Inninu. I work and live in Moosonee, ON. I am an administrative assistant for the Program, and will help, guide, and support to ensure both staff and students have the environment they need to succeed. It has always been my goal to serve and support Indigenous communities, and I am eager to embark on this next chapter of my professional journey.

Sierra Martin, Administrative Assistant

As an Administrative Assistant for Q-WHEP and a Queen's graduate, Sierra is the friendly, behind-the-scenes force helping coordinate efforts, foster collaboration, and cultivate a warm, welcoming environment. Her passion for community health makes it especially rewarding to contribute to this meaningful work alongside such a brilliant and dedicated team.

Carinna Pellett, Community Engagement

Carinna Pellett lives and works in Moosonee, Ontario. She has lived on the James Bay coast since 2007, and has worked as a teacher in Attawapiskat and Moosonee for over 15 years. She builds partnerships within organizations within the James Bay communities and connects with youth, adults and future learners in the project. She is also an adjunct professor in the Queen's Indigenous Teachers' Education program in the Mushkegowuk region, and a piano and fiddle teacher. Carinna has worked with the youth in the communities to build leadership capacity, including the late Shannen Koostachin. She has an unwavering belief in the potential and capabilities of the youth in these communities.

Roger Pilon, Executive Lead

Dr. Roger Pilon is the QHS Executive Lead for the Queen’s–Weeneebayko Health Education Program. He brings over 36 years of nursing experience and more than 25 years as a Primary Health Care Nurse Practitioner and educator to this role. Roger began his nursing career in Attawapiskat in 1989 and went on to work in several Western James Bay communities. As Vice-Dean (Health Sciences) and Director of the School of Nursing at Queen’s University, Roger has also been a champion for interdisciplinary education, cultural safety, and the recognition of Nurse Practitioners’ vital role in the healthcare system. For Roger, joining this much-needed project feels like coming full circle, and he is grateful for the opportunity to spend the next part of his career giving back to the communities where his journey in nursing began.

Rosemary Wilson, Curriculum Lead

Dr Wilson is a Professor in the School of Nursing and is a Nurse Practitioner. She is the Curriculum Lead for Nursing with the Queen’s Weeneebayko Health Education Program. She works with all partners to build decolonized nursing education and brings her passion for Northern Ontario, the outdoors and community connections to her work.

Laurie Gedcke-Kerr, Nursing Program Development

Sherri Schmidt-Stutzman, Nursing Program Development

Randy Booth, Physical Therapy Program Development

Dr. Booth works in the WAHA region to improve physiotherapy services and now, through the Queen’s-Weeneebayko Initiative, is also working to build educational capacity for Indigenous youth that will improve much needed health services for these communities.

Vince DePaul, Physical Therapy Program Development

Vince DePaul is an Associate Professor and Associate Director (Physical Therapy) in the School of Rehabilitation Therapy at Queen's University. He is part of the MscPT implementation team working to develop an innovative PT curriculum for the Program. He is honoured to be part of this project and excited to collaborate with the residents, health professionals, and educators of the Weeneebayko region to train physiotherapists and other healthcare professionals from and for these communities.

Setareh Ghahari, Occupational Therapy Program Development

Dr. Setareh Ghahari is an Associate Professor at the School of Rehabilitation Therapy at Queen’s University and a passionate occupational therapist. As an immigrant to Canada, she has personally experienced the challenges of navigating the healthcare system, which has deeply shaped her commitment to improving access for underserved communities. What inspires Dr. Ghahari most is the resilience and strength of individuals who face systemic barriers with courage and determination. Their stories fuel her drive to create more inclusive and equitable health systems. She is excited to contribute to the WAHA project, where she hopes to support transformative initiatives that enhance access to health services across the beautiful northern regions of Ontario.

Anushka Mzinganjira, Occupational Therapy Program Development

Anushka Mzinganjira is an Occupational Therapist with over 20 years of experience. Community-based rehabilitation and health system engagement with an equity focus has been her work over the last 10 years. Anushka serves as the Occupational Therapy lead in the Program, supporting the development of culturally safe, contextually relevant occupational therapy education and practice. In this role, she hopes to work closely with communities, students, and health leaders to strengthen Indigenous-led health care capacity development, foster inclusive learning environments, and support mentorship of the next generation of youth and future occupational therapists.

Nikki Philbrook, BHSc Lead

Alan Batt, Paramedicine Lead

Dr Alan Batt role is to bring paramedic education to Queen’s for the first time, supporting new entrants to the workforce and existing paramedics in WAHA and across Ontario. He has worked closely with First Nation’s paramedic services over the last 10 years and is excited to continue this work with WAHA.

Beth Wabano, Communications

Beth Wabano is a Senior Communications Specialist at Weeneebayko Area Health Authority who supports the Program achieve its communications goals. She was born and raised in Moose Factory and is MoCreebec & Waskaganish Eeyou (Cree). She brings a strong background in graphic design and strategic communications, along with a deep commitment to supporting Indigenous and Cree organizations—a personal goal that continues to guide her career.

Our Team

Our Team

Queen's Health Sciences

Jamaica Cass, Director

Sarah Funnell, Associate Dean, Indigenous Health

Jacob DesRochers

Samantha Cutrara

Patricia Fletcher, Project Manager

Ashley Wabano, Administrative Assistant

Sierra Martin, Administrative Assistant

Carinna Pellett, Community Engagement

School of Nursing

Roger Pilon, Executive Lead

Rosemary Wilson, Curriculum Lead

Laurie Gedcke-Kerr, Nursing Program Development

Sherri Schmidt-Stutzman, Nursing Program Development

School of Rehabilitation

Randy Booth, Physical Therapy Program Development

Vince DePaul, Physical Therapy Program Development

Setareh Ghahari, Occupational Therapy Program Development

Anushka Mzinganjira, Occupational Therapy Program Development

Bachelor of Health Sciences

Nikki Philbrook, BHSc Lead

Alan Batt, Paramedicine Lead

Weeneebayko Area Health Authority (WAHA)

Beth Wabano, Communications