A former Red Deer city councillor was appointed chair of the Health Advisory Council for Central Alberta, one of 12 councils developed to advise the provincial Alberta Health Services Board.
Diana Rowe was named chair of Health Advisory Council 9 and Bruce Buruma, of Red Deer, was appointed vice-chair this week.
Rowe, a city councillor from 2001 to 2004, moved with her husband in 2006 to his family farm near Drumheller.
She said now she has a good sense of both urban and rural living and is excited to chair the council.
“I think it’s an important role that the Health Advisory Councils will play,” said Rowe, who is the community services director for Starland County.
“We’ll be the liaison between Alberta Health Services and community.”
And there will be plenty of opportunity for the public to take part, she said.
Buruma is the director of community relations with Red Deer Public Schools.
The council will meet four to six times a year and the first public meeting for Health Advisory Council 9 will be on June 16.
It is expected to be held in Red Deer.
Other members of the Central Alberta council include:
• Stephane Perreault of Red Deer
• Lou Soppit and Lance Houston of Rocky Mountain House
• Clifford Watt of Sylvan Lake
• Dawn Morrow of Innisfail
• Stacey Carmichael of Blackfalds
• Johana Stark of Ponoka
• Leona Thorogood of Stettler
• Gerald Ingeveld of Sundre
• Dawna Elliot of Coronation
• Randy Littlechild of Hobbema
• Jeannette Vatter of Drayton Valley
szielinski@www.reddeeradvocate.com