We Are IH: Vernon educator enjoys providing health-care support

August 11, 2022

Wanda (in the blue shirt) and her family

Name: Wanda Handschuh (she/her/hers)
Job Title: Health Services for Community Living (HSCL) Nursing, Clinical Educator RN
Years of Service: 30
Worksite: Day-Break Adult Day Centre
Community: Vernon
Ancestral Territory: Syilx Okanagan / Okanagan Interior Salish
Advice to live by: “If you are going through hell, just keep going,” and “Normal is only a setting on a dryer.”

Wanda Handschuh has spent her entire life in British Columbia. Born in Dawson Creek, Wanda has also lived in Hudson Hope and Mica Creek, then Kamloops to complete school, study nursing and get married. After living in Revelstoke for a year with her husband, Darren (together for 34 years now), they moved to Vernon in 1991 and have never left.

Wanda enjoys supporting people with their health. Making people comfortable and sharing a laugh is important to her in her work. Currently a Clinical Educator in Health Services for Community Living (HSCL), Wanda enjoys meeting new people, and working with clients and their caregivers.

“Nursing has been a perfect fit for my personality and my passion. I look forward to continuing to learn about myself and others on this life journey.”

In this Story…

Learn more about her journey with IH

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Learn more about her journey with IH

A woman pretending to look scared in front of a large, stuffed bear.

Wanda having a bear-y scary experience in Revelstoke

One of Wanda’s proudest moments of the many in her 30 years at Interior Health was being able to help a distraught man find the insulin he needed for his wife, who had been admitted to hospital.

While one may not know it, Wanda is an introvert. “I can act like the life of the party, but I really restore when I am alone.”

A man, wearing a ballcap, and a woman with grey hair standing in a forest.

Wanda and her husband, Darren

Wanda has a strong Christian faith. She likes to have fun and make other people laugh. Wanda has three adult children, two sons and one daughter. She enjoys camping and spending time with family and friends. Wanda also likes bicycling, hiking, kayaking and spending time with her geriatric pug, Murphy. Wanda also looks forward to travelling to Europe in the near future, having grandchildren and enjoying life with her family.

A woman with grey hair in a black outfit wearing a pearl necklace.

Wanda Handschuh

A beige pug dog.

Wanda’s geriatric pug, Murphy

Wanda nominates Tanya Zeron, Acquired Brain Injury Case Coordinator, to keep We Are IH going:

“Tanya works a very difficult case load for just one person. She comes to work with a smile and a positive attitude. Tanya is a joy to work with and Interior Health is blessed to have her in this role.” – Wanda Handschuh

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