The Rural Coordination Centre of BC (RCCbc) is excited to welcome John Mah to our leadership team as the new Director of Real-Time Virtual Support (RTVS).

John joins RCCbc on a two-year secondment from the First Nations Health Authority (FNHA), bringing his expertise in healthcare leadership, systems change, and service transformation to two critical areas of rural healthcare—RTVS and patient transport.

At RCCbc, we know that real-time support for healthcare providers and reliable patient transport solutions are essential for improving access to care in rural, remote, and First Nations communities. John’s leadership will help strengthen these areas, ensuring rural providers and patients continue to receive the support they need. 

A Leader in Healthcare Innovation 

John has spent over 12 years in senior leadership roles at FNHA, most recently serving as Vice President of Health Benefits and Services, where he led efforts in service transformation, health benefits, and patient support programs. Prior to that, he worked with Health Canada, overseeing pharmacy and medical benefits programs for First Nations communities across Alberta. His extensive experience in change management, engagement, and health equity makes him an invaluable addition to RCCbc’s team. 

John holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from Simon Fraser University’s Beedie School of Business and a Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy from the University of Alberta. 

Celebrating Five Years of RTVS 

John joins RCCbc at an exciting time, as RTVS marks its five-year anniversary of providing real-time, culturally safe peer support to rural healthcare providers across BC. 

“RCCbc’s strength lies in its deep connections—between providers, communities, and system leaders. By enhancing virtual support through RTVS and working to address patient transport challenges, we can ensure that rural and First Nations communities receive the care they need, when and where they need it,” says John. 

Medical leadership for RTVS remains with Dr. John Pawlovich and Dr. Scot Mountain, who ensure the program continues to meet the evolving needs of rural practitioners. 

Supporting Rural Patient Transport 

While John’s primary focus is on RTVS, he will also support RCCbc’s ongoing work in rural patient transport, recognizing that even with virtual care, many rural and First Nations patients still face significant barriers to in-person healthcare. 

Looking Ahead 

With John Mah leading RTVS operations, and Dr. John Pawlovich and Dr. Scot Mountain guiding clinical pathways, RCCbc is well-positioned to sustain and expand virtual peer and specialist support for rural, remote, and First Nations communities. 

John steps into a newly restructured leadership role, previously held by Kim Williams, who has been instrumental in developing and expanding RTVS, among many other rural health initiatives at RCCbc. As part of this transition: 

• John Mah will lead RTVS strategy and operations.  

• Other key areas of Kim’s portfolio—including the Rural Surgical and Obstetrical Network (RSON) and the Rural Obstetrics and Maternity Sustainability Program (ROAM-SP)—will now be led by additional RCCbc team members. 

“While I step away from my full-time role at RCCbc, I remain deeply committed to advancing compassionate leadership in rural healthcare,” says Kim. “It has been an honour to work alongside dedicated rural providers and communities, and I look forward to staying engaged through the Atleo Centre for Compassionate Leadership, and supporting some RCCbc work as a senior advisor.”  

We extend our deepest gratitude to Kim for her lasting impact on rural healthcare in BC. 

Join the Conversation 

Have a story about RTVS or rural patient transport? We’d love to hear how these services are working in your community. Share your experiences with us at communications@rccbc.ca and help us shape the future of rural healthcare.