Hi, I’m
Jimena Garcia
Sooke,BC
Summary
Collaborative and purpose-driven healthcare leader with 15+ years of experience in patient engagement, clinic operations, and culturally safe care. Adept in designing and leading trauma-informed, equity-driven health programs, with a focus on fostering trust-based relationships and improving access to integrated, compassionate care. Passionate about amplifying patient voices and enhancing systems for those impacted by systemic harm, particularly within Indigenous communities and women’s health. Proven ability to lead diverse teams, co-develop impactful programs, and navigate complex health systems to improve patient experience and health outcomes.
Overview
16
years of professional experience
1
Certification
Work History
BC NEIHR – British Columbia Network Environment for Indigenous Health Research
Liaison Lead
01.2025 - Current
Job overview
- Cultivated respectful and trust-based relationships with Indigenous Patient Partners, supporting meaningful involvement across all stages of patient-oriented research in community and clinical environments.
- Facilitated inclusive engagement strategies aligned with trauma-informed and culturally responsive principles, ensuring voices of patients and community members informed priority setting, quality improvement, and service delivery.
- Co-developed ethical engagement frameworks to guide long-term relationship building, aligning closely with Indigenous Patient Partners advocacy and health research equity goals.
- Designed and delivered knowledge-sharing initiatives (reports, workshops, community forums) that increased understanding and accessibility of health services, patient oriented research and funding opportunities.
- Recruited, supported, and mentored a team of Indigenous Health Research Liaisons through a relational, community-rooted model of leadership, fostering trust, collaboration, and professional growth.
- Led co-design of training tools, manuals, and workshops focused on trauma-informed care, cultural humility, and Indigenous pedagogies—principles directly applicable to patient education and support.
- Strengthened internal processes to improve responsiveness to 60+ community partner requests annually, ensuring a timely, compassionate, and respectful experience for all stakeholders.
- Streamlined reporting and compliance systems to reduce administrative burden on community partners while enhancing transparency and cultural safety—practices easily transferable to patient feedback and service quality systems.
- Integrated Indigenous data governance principles (e.g., OCAP) into documentation and workflow design, supporting ethical information sharing and privacy protections similar to patient-centered data practices.
- Co-developed equity-based funding and service access models that mirror inclusive healthcare navigation and support structures.
- Supported capacity-building initiatives and education pathways for Indigenous students, scholars and leaders in health research, with transferable relevance to patient education and community engagement programs.
- Contributed to system-wide transformation efforts through literature review and evaluation design supporting reciprocal, healing-centered approaches to care and collaboration.
- Areas of Expertise: Culturally Safe Patient Engagement
- Trauma-Informed Program Design
- Equity-Driven Health Partnerships
- Inclusive Communication
- Relationship-Based Leadership
- Decolonizing Approaches to Care
Vancouver Island University – Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy Graduate Certificate (PaTGC)
Sessional Professor – Trauma-Informed and Inclusive Care
09.2023 - 04.2025
Job overview
- Developed and delivered course materials for 60+ mental health students focused on trauma-informed care, cultural safety, and inclusive communication—core competencies in patient-centered environments.
- Created a safe mentorship container for students from diverse backgrounds, supporting discussions on care ethics and healing.
- Worked with a cross-functional team of health practitioners and researchers to coordinate logistics, resolve challenges, and ensure smooth delivery—strengthening my experience in operational coordination and team-based problem-solving.
- Created a WordPress platform for knowledge translation and accessible course materials.
- Contributed to curriculum development on Equity, Diversity and Inclusion in healthcare embedding Third Space theories to support equity and systemic inclusion—aligning with commitment to health equity and culturally responsive care.
- Key Areas of Focus: Patient Experience
- Equity, Diversity & Inclusion (EDI)
- Indigenous Cultural Safety
- Interpersonal Communication
- Program Coordination
- Trauma-Informed Practice
BC Network Environment for Indigenous Health Research (BC NEIHR)
Health Research Facilitator – Strategic Partnerships & Program Outreach
02.2022 - 12.2024
Job overview
- Built and sustained strategic relationships with 20+ Indigenous Collectives, Communities, and Organizations (ICCOs), and 30+ Indigenous Patient Partners (IPPs), fostering collaboration and engagement across diverse communities.
- Facilitated cross-sector partnership development with key health organizations (e.g., BC SPOR, Island Health, FNHA) to identify and address systemic barriers, improving collaboration between Indigenous and Western health systems.
- Supported the capacity-building of ICCOs and IPPs, enhancing their ability to engage in health research, knowledge mobilization, Indigenous Cultural Safety (ICS) and Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) practices.
- Co-designed and implemented initiatives that advanced ICS and EDI in health research, ensuring more inclusive and accessible events, services, and outcomes.
- Developed culturally relevant resources and tools that aligned with Indigenous Patients priorities, ensuring accessibility for diverse communities.
- Led the coordination and facilitation of conferences, workshops, and webinars to support health research navigation for Indigenous communities, increasing participation and fostering cross-cultural dialogue.
- Wrote successful grant applications and secured funding, increasing the grant success rate by 70% through the design of inclusive, culturally responsive tools.
- Provided mentorship and guidance to ICCOs and IPPs on project development, ensuring alignment with community ethics, Indigenous data governance, and research sovereignty.
- Delivered monthly reports to senior management, contributing to BC NEIHR’s annual evaluation for Canada Institutes of Health Research and highlighting key insights for program improvement.
- Enhanced research capacity of 50+ IPPs and ICCOs through tailored support in post-award reporting and the implementation of culturally safe processes.
Naut sa mawt Center for Psychedelic Research
Intercultural Collaboration Lead
11.2022 - 12.2023
Job overview
- Developed and implemented the Multi-Eyed Seeing Intercultural Collaboration Framework (MeSICF), enhancing engagement with diverse communities and improving program outcomes by 25%.
- Collaborated with health research staff to refine Psychedelic Medicine and Harm Reduction programs, improving safety and inclusion perception by 15%.
- Secured and managed a $150,000 MITACS Accelerate grant, supporting research initiatives and internships, ensuring compliance with cultural safety and ethical standards.
- Supervised 4 MITACS interns, 10+ volunteers, and 4 mentors, achieving 95% satisfaction with program delivery.
- Coordinated logistics for workshops and meetings, maintaining 90% adherence to timelines and protocols.
- Managed project expenses, achieving 100% compliance with funding requirements and reporting standards.
- Responded to over 50 inquiries monthly, resolving issues efficiently within 48 hours.
- Mitacs Research Award - Part-time
Mujer Consciente SA
Wellness Manager
02.2009 - 03.2021
Job overview
- Led a community-based wellness clinic supporting women who experienced gyneco obstetric violence, providing trauma-informed, integrative care focused on reproductive and mental health.
- Designed and implemented patient-centered wellness programs, reaching over 10,000 women with individualized care plans, education, and culturally grounded support.
- Supervised and trained a team of 60 women’s health consultants, ensuring consistent quality of care, trauma-informed practice, and respectful patient interactions.
- Facilitated access to services and supported clients in navigating medical appointments, including accompaniment and advocacy for those impacted by systemic harm in healthcare settings.
- Developed plain-language wellness education resources addressing reproductive health, consent, and healing after obstetric violence, with a focus on safety, inclusion, and equity.
- Coordinated scheduling, intake, and service flow to improve the patient experience and continuity of care across interdisciplinary wellness services.
- Gathered patient feedback and evaluation data to improve programming, support healing journeys, and inform equity-focused service delivery models.
- Managed day-to-day clinic operations, including client communications, digital tools (CRM, CMS), and data tracking, ensuring responsive, client-driven care.
- Built and sustained partnerships with local organizations and health professionals to strengthen referral pathways and wraparound support for clients.
- Relevant to: Patient Engagement
- Trauma-Informed Care
- Program Coordination
- Health Equity
Education
Universidad Europea del Atlántico
Traditional Chinese Medicine Doctor
12.2027
University Overview
Anticipated graduation date December 2027. On-line, Spain.
Royal Roads University
Master of Arts from Global Leadership
11.2023
University Overview
- Coursework focused on First Nations and global Indigenous studies.
- Capstone Project: Relational Systems Thinking for Planetary Health.
Sweat-lodge pourer/ healer
01.2010
University Overview
Trained with Toltec and Mayan traditional healers experts in the methodology and practice of ancestral herbal steam baths for holistic health.
Onanya traditional healer
12.2009
University Overview
Trained by Shipibo Onanyabo lineage experts in the methodology and practice of ancestral entheogenic medicine for mental health.
Universidad Iberoamericana Santa Fe
Bachelor from Literary Studies
08.2003
University Overview
- Coursework focused on hermeneutic analysis and cultural studies.
- Internship: Indigenous storytelling as a way of healing.
Skills
- Culturally aware and trauma-focused support
- Patient Experience & Engagement Strategy
- Clinic & Interdisciplinary Wellness Operations
- Partnership & Community Relationship Building
- Team Leadership & Staff Development
- Quality Improvement & Feedback Systems
- Inclusive Program Design & Implementation
- Communication & Conflict Resolution
Certification
- Queering Psychedelics: Intersectionality, Healing, Spirituality and Liberation (Chacruna) July - October, 2024. Online, U.S.A.
- The fundamentals of OCAP (Indigenous data Ownership, Control, Access and Possession). July - March, 2024. Online, Canada.
- TCPS 2: CORE-2022 (Tri-council Course on Research Ethics). February, 2023. Online, Canada.
- San’yas Indigenous Cultural Safety for Mental Health certificate. Jan-March 2023. Online, Canada.
- Academic Writing in English at ILSC. Feb - May 2021. Online, Canada.
- Digital Marketing for Deep Engagement Diploma at Instituto 11. January - October 2018. Mexico City.
- Basic First Aid & CPR at Mexican Red Cross March 2018, Puebla, Mexico.
- Digital Media Management at Tec de Monterrey. January- November 2015. Puebla, Mex.
- Medicinal Mexican Herbalism Diploma, at Instituto Shakti para la Paz. Jan 2015- Nov 2015. Mexico City, Mexico.
- Daoist Medicine Philosophy Diploma at Instituto Daoísta para la Salud. Mar 2011- July 2015. Cuernavaca, Mexico.
Languages
English
Full Professional
Spanish
Native or Bilingual
Timeline
Liaison Lead
BC NEIHR – British Columbia Network Environment for Indigenous Health Research
01.2025 - Current
Sessional Professor – Trauma-Informed and Inclusive Care
Vancouver Island University – Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy Graduate Certificate (PaTGC)
09.2023 - 04.2025
Intercultural Collaboration Lead
Naut sa mawt Center for Psychedelic Research
11.2022 - 12.2023
Health Research Facilitator – Strategic Partnerships & Program Outreach
BC Network Environment for Indigenous Health Research (BC NEIHR)
02.2022 - 12.2024
Wellness Manager
Mujer Consciente SA
02.2009 - 03.2021
Royal Roads University
Master of Arts from Global Leadership
Sweat-lodge pourer/ healer
Onanya traditional healer
Universidad Iberoamericana Santa Fe
Bachelor from Literary Studies
Universidad Europea del Atlántico
Traditional Chinese Medicine Doctor
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