We Are IH: Career risk pays off for Penticton safety advisor

September 22, 2022

Chris Foley mountain biking at Giant's Head Mountain Park, B.C.

Name: Chris Foley (he/him/his)
Job Title: Workplace Health & Safety Advisor
Years of Service: 20
Worksite: Commerce Court
Community: Penticton
Ancestral Territory: Syilx
Favourite Quote: “Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well-preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside in a cloud of smoke, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming ‘Wow! What a ride!’” — Hunter S. Thompson

Workplace Health & Safety advisor Chris Foley is originally from Howell, Michigan. After marrying his Canadian wife, Jacquie, he moved to B.C. in 1993. They’ve lived in Summerland for the past 28 years, where they raised four amazing children.

Chris has a fun-loving nature, and he’s always looking forward to the next adventure. When it comes to his job, Chris is hard-working and serious about helping others.

“I started 20 years ago as a home support worker and care aide. Then, I worked as a rehab assistant because of the desire to help patients. Since I got the opportunity to join the Workplace Health & Safety (WHS) team, I’ve kept sight of the patient care piece, but focus more so on staff safety and well-being nowadays.”

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Learn more about his journey with IH

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Learn more about his journey with IH

While Chris recognized how much he enjoyed his work as a care aide and rehabilitation assistant, he was inspired to go the extra mile and contribute more in his role at Interior Health (IH), even if it meant overcoming some fears and challenges.

Man and woman wearing winter hats and sunglasses, hiking in snow with trees behind them. — Chris and his wife, Jacquie, snowshoeing on Mt. Riordan near Apex Mountain Resort in the Okanagan.

“By getting involved with the Penticton Regional Hospital (PRH) Code White response team, I was asked to consider being a site facilitator for violence prevention education. Being deathly afraid of public speaking at the time, I wasn't sure I could do it, but gave it a try anyhow and became a personal safety instructor for PRH.

"Taking that step opened the door to a role with WHS as a violence prevention/safe patient-handling course instructor, and now as a site advisor. It was worth taking that risk all those years ago!”

Chris looks forward to continuing to help IH grow and expand its health and safety programs to become an industry leader in this area. “I love sharing my knowledge and skills with people, and have always been a natural coach.”

Outside of work, Chris loves to mountain bike and kayak in the summer, ski and snowshoe in the winter, and swim all year long. There’s a little-known fun fact about Chris we’d like to verify, but unfortunately, there is no photographic evidence (or so he says).

Family wearing lifeboat jackets in dinghy on river. — Chris and his family took a six-day rafting trip at Green River, Utah, in 2013.

“I was a member of my high school’s break-dancing club, and can still do the spin on the floor.”

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