We Are IH: Physiotherapist has passion for bikes and racing

April 27, 2023

Angela likes to go biking with her poodle, Poppy.

Name: Angela Ozero (she/her/hers)
Job Title: Physiotherapist
Years of Service: 15
Worksite: Vernon Jubilee Hospital
Community: Vernon
Ancestral Territory: Syilx Okanagan
Favourite Quote: “Today is a gift. That's why we call it 'The Present'.” – Eleanor Roosevelt

Physiotherapist Angela Ozero was born and raised in Pembroke, Ont. She lives and works in Vernon, on Syilx Okanagan Nation territory.

In this Story…

Learn more about her journey with IH

Angela nominates Jennifer Gabrys, Physiotherapist to keep We Are IH going:

Explore physiotherapy careers at IH

Learn more about her journey with IH

On a typical day, Angela works as a physiotherapist in the outpatient department at Vernon Jubilee Hospital (VJH). She treats people who have experienced strokes, brain injuries, dizziness and balance issues, neurological conditions and orthopaedic surgeries.

“My favourite thing about my role is seeing my patients reach their functional goals. It’s outstanding to be a part of that! It's also pretty spectacular to spend my days alongside my work family as well. Interior Health is loaded with amazing people!”

-- Angela Ozero (she/her/hers)

Angela has so many memorable moments that span her career. Many of them involve a patient crying tears of joy when they started to walk again.

However, Angela is also driven by a mission to improve incontinence care provided by Interior Health (IH). Her vision is to impact the entire organization, and she’s determined to bring about improvements with the help of her colleagues on the IH Continence Committee. She’s working on ways to help improve continence care and postpartum health services at IH.

Woman with long hair in a braid, wearing hat, glasses and jacket, holding skis and poles with snow and evergreen forest in background — Angela volunteers as a ski coach for kids and also works as a cross-country ski instructor at Soverign Lake.

Angela participated in creating the patient education pamphlets "Pelvic Health in Pregnancy and Postpartum" and "Issues with Bladder Control?". They are multidisciplinary, IH-wide provincial documents. Angela’s tenacity is demonstrated by her commitment to these projects, which were two years in the making.

Angela loves biomechanical puzzles and riddles. “A biomechanical puzzle is a riddle to me… a physio riddle,” she explains.

"I see every patient's condition as a problem to solve, and I live for that."

Family with mom and dad wearing sunglasses; father wearing hood with beard and moustache; mother, boy and girl wearing helmets; skating rink and mountain in background — Angela's husband Walt, son Zolie, and daughter Aspen skating on Kalamalka Lake.

In her daily life, Angela considers herself to be curious and persistent. Her adventurous side makes an appearance when engaged in her favourite outdoor activities, such as mountain biking, cyclocross racing and cross-country skiing.

Woman cycling on rugged path through tree forest — Angela participates in the local Bombshell Women's Enduro at Silver Star.

“I LOVE everything bikes! Mountain biking, BMX racing, cyclocross racing, triathalons and commuting. Even better if I can get out biking with my poodle, Poppy!”

Then there’s the part of Angela that enjoys the peaceful and satisfying work of gardening, and even making soap.

“I take pride in being able to eat out of my backyard eight months of the year… well, more if you count eating chicken eggs. I start planting outside as early as February and have been able to harvest kale in February, too!”

-- Angela Ozero (she/her/hers)

Angela is a Cub Scouts leader, cross-country ski coach and CANSI level 1 cross-country ski instructor. She makes her home in Coldstream with her husband Walt, son Zolie, daughter Aspen, dog Poppy, chickens, and gardens with fruit trees and grape vines.

Woman wearing hat, glasses, jacket, shorts and gloves, kneels in garden with poodle and chickens, surrounded by plants — Angela feels energized when gardening in her backyard.

Angela nominates Jennifer Gabrys, Physiotherapist to keep We Are IH going:

“In addition her role as a physiotherapist at the Penticton Primary Care Network, Jennifer is a member of the IH Continence Committee and Provincial Continence Committee. This requires her to work on these projects to improve continence care and postpartum care off the side of her desk! She reports back each week on her progress and digs deep to brainstorm more ways to improve incontinence care and postpartum health here at Interior Health, as well as British Columbia.” – Angela Ozero