Dr. Bergljot (Britt) Bright

Dr. Britt Bright is a visionary leader whose extraordinary dedication to psychiatry and public health has transformed mental health care in Maple Ridge and beyond.

Dr. Bright began her practice in 1979, becoming the community’s first—and for many years, only— psychiatrist. Arriving in Maple Ridge after completing her training in Ireland and Canada, following her move from her native Norway, Dr. Bright was met with a stark reality: psychiatric services in the region were virtually nonexistent. She responded not with hesitation, but with relentless determination to fill this critical gap in care.

Driven by a fierce commitment to her patients and her community, Dr. Bright led the charge to bring psychiatric inpatient care to Ridge Meadows Hospital. After multiple attempts and years of advocacy, her efforts culminated in the opening of a 16-bed inpatient psychiatric unit in 1993—a milestone that reshaped mental health care in the region.

Never one to stop at a single accomplishment, Dr. Bright continued to advocate for better access for young people struggling with mental health challenges. She played a key role in the establishment of the Youth Wellness Centre, which has since become part of B.C.’s Foundry program, providing integrated support to youth in need.

Throughout her distinguished career, Dr. Bright has embodied the very spirit of the Lloyd Capling Award—serving with integrity, compassion, and an unwavering dedication to improving the lives of others. Her legacy is etched into the very fabric of psychiatric care in Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows, and her impact will be felt for generations to come.

Dr. Biju Mathew

Dr. Biju Mathew is a psychiatrist, researcher, and author of the book Super 30 – Changing the World 30 Students at a Time. He has worked at Ridge Meadows Hospital for 28 years, spending many of those years as the Local Department Head for Psychiatry.

His determination to help marginalized individuals struggling with mental illness and addiction is reflected in his contributions as a Board Member of the Ridge Meadows Hospital Foundation from 2005-2017, and President of the BC Psychiatry Association. During his tenure with the RMH Foundation he was a staunch advocate for supporting mental health initiatives at the hospital and in the community, helping to build the message that mental health is an important part of health care, and not all health care has equipment needs. Biju was instrumental in the Foundation’s funding support for the creation of the Kanaka Wing (Antalek Psychiatry) in 2009 and Foundry in 2018.

As founder and president of the Ridge Meadows South Asian Cultural Society, Biju has dedicated his philanthropic efforts to highlighting the outstanding contributions made by South Asian immigrants to Canada and to raising awareness about mental health and its impact on communities. The South Asian Cultural Society Annual Gala has raised over $140K for the RMH Foundation since 2008. Biju also made a personal donation to start the Health Excellence Award, which award recognizes a health care employee, nominated by their peers, who exemplifies excellence.

Biju is known by all to be a kind and compassionate man, his colleagues have the utmost respect for him personally and professionally.

Dr. Willem Richards

Dr. Richards is the Local department Head of the Hospitalist group, he advocates for his colleagues, and ensures everyone’s voices, not just physicians but also nurses and other frontlines, are heard. He is focused on quality care, and lobbies for improvement. As a result of his commitment Ridge Meadows Hospital was able to secure an extra line for the hospitalist group. He also shows great dedication to his patients who adore him. He is a wonderful Local Department Head who is constantly supportive and regularly goes above and beyond the call of duty.

Dr. Edward (Ed) Auersperg

Dr. Auersperg is a long-time dedicated internist in our community, he exemplifies the culture of our thriving community hospital. Ed has been an integral part of our Medical Staff for over 30 years, he is a fearless leader who has led the Department of Medicine for nearly two decades. Ed has initiated several programs within RMH such as PICC Line insertions, Ambulatory IV Clinic, and pioneered the use of fecal transplant for intractable Clostridium difficile in British Columbia.

Ed has also been a major contributor to the RMH Foundation and is active in the community supporting initiatives working with neurodivergent youth.

Dr. Ockert (Ockie) Lampen 

Dr. Lampen was the recipient of the Lloyd Capling award in 2017 for service to the Ridge Meadows community. He has a broad interest in the field of Obstetrics and Gynaecology and has a great passion for high-risk obstetrics and minimally invasive laparoscopic surgery. He served as Medical Director of Ridge Meadows Hospital from 2019-2023, providing strong leadership during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Mr. Robert (Bob) Shantz – 1942-2015

Bob was born June 14, 1942 in Wainright, Alberta to George and Mary Shantz. Bob attended Campion College Jesuit School and later the University of Saskatchewan where he earned his law degree. Bob practiced Law for over 44 years. Bob was a member of the BC Bar & Trial Lawyer Association of BC. He practiced law in Maple Ridge for 44 years where he made a lasting impact in the community while serving as a Founding Member of the Ridge Meadows Hospital Foundation, Past President of the Meadow Ridge Hospice Society, Past Vice President of the Maple Ridge Community Foundation and Past President of the Meadow Ridge Rotary Club. Bob was a tireless community volunteer giving countless hours of his time and knowledge for which he was recognized in his community. Citizen of the Year in 2014 and a five-time recipient of a Paul Harris Fellow Award from his Meadow Ridge Rotary Club.

Dr. Francis (Frank) Ervin   

Frank began working at RMH in 1990. He was the Head of the Division of Respirology, and the Physician Quality Leader for Ridge Meadows Hospital. Frank has been very involved in the Medical Staff Association over the years and was instrumental in setting up the RMH Physicians Engagement Society during his time as MSA President.

He was presented with the Lloyd Capling Award in recognition of his “We Can CT Clearly” campaign to fund the multi-slice upgrade to Ridge Meadows Hospital’s first CT scanner.

Dr. Kwadwo (Kojo) Ohene Asante

Dr. Asante, MSM, B.Sc., MB.ChB., FRCPC, DABP, is recognized as an expert in the area of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) and was one of the first pediatricians to study and publish on Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) in Canada. Dr. Asante has been awarded the Meritorious Service Medal of Canada in recognition of more than thirty years of dedicated service for individuals, families, and communities impacted by FASD.

Dr. Asante’s credentials include:

• B.Sc. – University of British Columbia (1958)
• MB.ChB – University of Glasgow (1964)
• Involved in extensive Pediatric practice in Northern British Columbia and the Yukon as Consultant Pediatrician to four hospitals (1970-1990)
• Medical Director of Kitimat Child Development Centre (1973-1990)
• Clinical Assistant Professor, Pediatrics UBC (1983-1995)
• Clinical Asst. Professor Emeritus, Pediatrics. University of British Columbia 1995 – current)
• Pediatrician, The Asante Centre (2000-present)
• Consultant Pediatrician, Maple Ridge, BC (1990-present)
• Medical Director, Child Development Centre, Maple Ridge, BC (1991-1996)
• Consultant at the Fetal Alcohol Clinic, Sunny Hill Health Centre for Children, Vancouver (1992-1995)
• Chair of the BC FAS Resource Society (1996-1997)
• Appointed to the B.C. Children’s Commission (1997-2002)
• Received the honour of “Friend of the University and of Northern BC” from the University of Northern British Columbia (May 1994)
• Elected a “Senior Member” of the Canadian Medical Association in 2000 for contributions to medicine in Canada
• Honorary Degree of Doctor of Laws, University of Northern BC (May 28, 2004)
• Meritorious Service Medal of Canada
• Black Business Professionals 2007 Harry Jerome Award for Health Sciences
• BC Pediatric Society’s Dr. Judith Hall Award recipient for 2011
• Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal recipient for 2012

Ridge Meadows Search & Rescue Website

Ridge Meadows Hospice Society Website

Mr. William (Bill) Harkness 

6 October 1924 ~ 20 September 2008

Bill served overseas with Canadian Grenadier Guards, 2nd Canadian Armoured Brigade through France, Holland, and Germany. At end of the war in Europe he volunteered for service in the Pacific and then returned to studies at the University of Saskatchewan, graduating as a pharmacist (class of 1949). William continued to serve with Reserve Forces (10th Medium Regiment, Royal Canadian Artillery) and received a commission as 2nd lieutenant in 1947.

He was strongly committed to community service, Bill was Chairman of the first Maple Ridge Hospital Board of directors, President of Haney Rotary, and active in Kinsmen and numerous community service organizations, including St. John’s Ambulance. He was inducted as an Officer of the Order of St. John by the lieutenant Governor of BC in 2003.

Mrs. Catherine Mellalieu

Died 2023

Cathy Mellalieu RN, founded ARCUS in 1981, Since 1981, Arcus has been providing high quality, specialized residential services to infants, children, adults and seniors who are developmentally challenged, have severe physical disabilities, high medical needs or are managing challenging behaviours. She was the director of residential services at ARCUS Community Resources, provider of specialized care for vulnerable adults.

Dr. Dennis Chapman

Dr. Chapman joined the RMH Medical Staff in 1976, he retired from family practice in 2020, but at the time of writing in 2024 still works at RMH.

Mr. Len Lockwood

Mrs. Ann MacDonald

March 24, 1927 – January 27, 2021

Ann was born in Hanna Alberta on March 24th, 1927. She was the second child of Stephen and Katherine Brunner. There were 6 children in the Brunner family: Cecile, Ann, William, Donald, Clare and Adeline. During the Depression the Brunner family left Alberta and moved west to British Columbia where they made Chilliwack their home, eventually moving to Haney where Ann’s parents opened the Brunner Bakery. In her teenage years Ann worked for Boeing with her sister Cecile, helping with the WWII effort. Ann married her first husband Ralph MacDonald in 1944. They had 5 children: Barbara, Grace, William, Allan and Jean. After her husband died unexpectedly, she married her 2nd husband Walter Thomas in 1955. Together they had 3 children: Charles, Katherine and Theresa. She was widowed a second time in 1962. While raising her family, Ann worked at Maple Ridge Hospital until she retired. At the age of 70, Ann made a brave decision. She and her son Allan moved to Powell River where they started a new life. There, Ann continued to volunteer with charities, in particular with the BC Schizophrenia Society.

Dr. Sid Arber

Dr. Arber was one of the Founding doctors of Ridge Meadows Hospital

Dr. Ted Thordarson

1931 – 2020

An iconic photograph of Dr Ted Thordarson and eight other doctors hangs in the lobby of Ridge Meadows Hospital in recognition of the campaign they led to extract government funding for the first community hospital in Haney. Fittingly, this pioneer family doctor passed away peacefully in the hospital he helped to found.

Ted was born and grew up in Selkirk, Manitoba. At the age of 17, Ted, the only licensed driver, drove his family to Vancouver to reestablish as salmon fishers on the Fraser River. He bought his first gillnetter at 18 and paid his way handily through university and medical school.

Ted graduated from UBC’s third medical class in 1956 and interned at Royal Columbian Hospital. He moved to Haney and established a large and loyal practice. Ted held every medical staff position at the hospital. His Cuban cigar left smoldering on the hand rail outside a patient’s room always signaled his whereabouts! This practice has since passed from favor.

In 1970 Ted and three partners established Dewdney Medical, which expanded to seven partners. It was a unique clinic in its time—a shared and cooperative full-service practice that allowed for generous time off for medical education and holiday. It was considered “a bit socialist” at the time, which was humorous as our founder was a vigorous entrepreneur and used his free time to start Christmas tree farms, blueberry farms, and an endless stream of real estate projects. Dewdney Medical was an early adopter of the concept of work/life balance, years before stress was discovered. It was the main reason many of us came to work there.

Keeping in the spirit of early adopting and foresight, Ted and his siblings, Dr Roy Thordarson, Lara, Frieda, and Helga, bought our summer property near Kelowna in the late 1950s. Toad Hall continues to be the mandatory annual migration point for huge summer gatherings of any with a drop of the Thordarson Icelandic blood and their continually expanding families.

Ted was a larger than life figure, the last of Ridge Meadows Hospital’s founding physicians. He is survived by Maxine, his wife of 64 years; children, Ted Jr., Helga, and David; and a large family of Icelanders, genuine and honorary. — written by Doug Botting, MD

Dr. Robert Rhodes

August 7, 1920 – July 15, 2014  

Dr. Robert Rhodes served in the Canadian Army with the 12th Light Field Ambulance 4th Armoured Division. Bob completed pre-med at UBC and graduated from University of Toronto medical school in 1953. He opened his own practice in Haney in 1955 as one of only eight doctors when Maple Ridge’s first hospital opened in 1958. He also contributed to the community as president of the Lions Club, and was first president of the Maple Ridge Foundation (1976 – 1982)

Mrs. Edna Trethewey

May 13,1918 – October 26, 2008

Edna Trethewey was the first-ever recipient of the Ridge Meadows Hospital Foundation’s Dr. Lloyd Capling award in 1989 for outstanding contributions in the health care field. The Ridge Meadows Hospice Society was founded by her in 1980. Trethewey, a public health nurse who moved to Maple Ridge in 1961, poured her heart into the hospice, working first as a coordinator, training volunteers, bringing awareness of the society to the community and supporting families. Then as a volunteer.

Her name was also placed on a Tree of Life plaque in McKenney Creek Hospice, the opening of which was one of the society’s greatest accomplishments in the community.