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New era ushered in for Royal Inland Hospital
Construction of the new Teck Emergency Department at Royal Inland Hospital in Kamloops is underway, with renovations scheduled to be complete in 2026. Teck, one of Canada’s leading mining companies, contributed $2.5 million toward the project.
Features of the new Emergency Department
The new emergency department will feature the installation of innovative antimicrobial copper surfaces and equipment to help protect patients and health-care workers.
WE ARE IH
We want you to enjoy the work you do, the place where you work, and get to know the people around you. The range of careers at IH includes: financial advisors who oversee health care resources, technology professionals who support digital health services; nurses, food and nutrition staff, plant services and support workers in health-care facilities, and allied health and physicians on the front line of patient care. Care Lives Here.
Dr. Elizabeth Parfitt, Physician, Royal Inland Hospital
When you meet Dr. Parfitt you can’t help but smile. Her genuine passion for medicine and helping others radiates through her conversations. Finding her specialty of infectious diseases fascinating and intellectually stimulating, the past year amidst the pandemic she has brought a wealth of knowledge to Interior Health.
Learn more about Elizabeth
Allen Lee, Medical Laboratory Technologist, KGH
You may spot Allen’s warm smile and his health-care hero heart pin while he is working hard with his team at Kelowna General Hospital. He genuinely loves the team members he works with and knows that they will support each other, no matter what.
Learn more about Allen
Eric Tommasini, Physiotherapist at Royal Inland Hospital
Eric received his Masters of Physical Therapy at the University of British Columbia, Vancouver. Eventually, he returned to Kamloops to work at the Royal Inland Hospital – a purposeful move as Eric remarks, “It (Kamloops) embodies my core values and interests”.
Learn more about Eric
Sharon Reisdorf, Speech Language Pathologist at KGH
Take Sharon Reisdorf, S-LP at Interior Health for example; She always knew she wanted to be a therapist of some kind, and contemplated becoming a music therapist at one point; hence, her BA in music and psychology! But that’s not all. She also holds a specialization in linguistics and a Masters degree in Speech-Language Therapy, of course!
Learn more about SharonImage
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Community & Culture
Name: Kristin Lockhart (she/her/hers)Job Title: Manager, Clinical Operations, Kootenay Boundary Regional Hospital, Daly Pavilion, Harbour House…
4 Minute Read
Health & Wellness
It has been two years since Interior Health registered nurses (RNs) and registered psychiatric nurses (RPNs) began prescribing opioid agonist…
2 Minute Read
Community & Culture
Diane Jules joined the Interior Health Board of Directors in January 2015. Over four terms and eight years, she has brought her insight,…
3 Minute Read
Community & Culture
The toxic drug crisis disproportionately affects Aboriginal Peoples. But accessing much needed health care continues to pose challenges for…
3 Minute Read
Community & Culture
Name: Fiona Bradford (she/her/hers) Job Title: Social work professional practice leaderYears of Service: 6Worksite: East Kootenay Regional…
3 Minute Read
Community & Culture
We know that representation matters in health care. Women play an integral role in teams within Interior Health sites, departments, projects, and…
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Community & Culture
Four teens have won Interior Health’s Take a Breath: Teen Voices on Tobacco and Vaping poster contest. Each winner will receive a $150 gift card…
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Community & Culture
In February at Interior Health, we honour Black History Month and the vast contributions our Black employees have made and continue to make…
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Community & Culture
Name: Kristin Auclair (she/her/hers)Job Title: Admitting clerkYears of Service: 10Worksite: Penticton Regional HospitalCommunity: …
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Community & Culture
Name: Yvette Shukin (she/her/hers)Job Title: Surgical booking clerkYears of Service: 25Worksite: Kootenay Lake HospitalCommunity: NelsonAncestral…
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Health & Wellness
For caregivers supporting loved ones affected by substance use, the journey can feel like a lonely one. Whether a mom, dad, grandparent, spouse,…
2 Minute Read
Community & Culture
Once again Interior Health has been named as on of BC’s Top Employers. And for the first time we’ve also received the honour of being one of the…
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Community & Culture
(PHOTO CREDIT – Kalen Jones) Clearwater leaders got together last summer to celebrate the resilience of their physicians. Front row (L-R): Past…
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Health & Wellness
The District of 100 Mile House, situated on the traditional territory of the Secwepemc people, firmly supports the mindset that road safety is…
5 Minute Read
Community & Culture
Interior Health has been running a program that gives people who have lived with or have living experience with substance use the opportunity to…
3 Minute Read
Community & Culture
At Interior Health (IH), we’re committed to improving health services and outcomes for all Aboriginal people. Partnerships, such as the one…
4 Minute Read
Community & Culture
How do health and wellness leaders gain perspective on the health challenges faced by rural and remote communities? They make time to visit with…
2 Minute Read
Research & Innovation
More and more, people are addressing their health-care needs virtually. But what if you have trouble with the virtual care options themselves? …
4 Minute Read
Community & Culture
It is now recognized nationally, marked by the colour orange. But Orange Shirt Day has deep-seated meaning for Kukpi7 (Chief) Willie Sellars of…
2 Minute Read
Community & Culture
The other day, Jered Dennis heard something alarming – in one South Okanagan secondary school, it was estimated that at least half of the students…
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Health & Wellness
There’s little I love more than cruising down a sweet single track on my mountain bike. Add my dog and some pals into the mix and you have a…
3 Minute Read
Community & Culture
Name: Brandy Martin (she/her/hers)Job Title: Central Functions Rehabilitation AssistantYears of Service: 25Worksite: Vernon Jubilee…
4 Minute Read
Research & Innovation
Navigating a conversation about an individual’s serious illness can be a difficult and uncomfortable part of the job for many health-care…
7 Minute Read
Community & Culture
The Employee Experience team (L-R): Tracy Mooney, Kimberly Humphreys, Debbie Beaulieu, Kim Dedora, Aasia Paterson, Anna Meyers, Elisa Brown…
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Community & Culture
Shawna Biron, far right, with colleagues (L-R) Debbie Whitehead, Shannon Statham and Terri Domin at a recent Ktunaxa Nation Letter of…
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Health & Wellness
A healing circle Everyone deserves to be heard, and to feel safe and understood, but it’s clear from the In Plain Sight Report this doesn’t…
5 Minute Read
Community & Culture
Peter Renn, project manager with Interior Health Capital Planning & Projects, in front of the new Phil & Jennie Gaglardi Tower at…
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Community & Culture
Helping new managers is a dream job for Colleen McEwan (pictured above), who has become the first manager mentor in Interior Health. Before her…
2 Minute Read
Community & Culture
A mother goose who hatched three goslings outside the Royal Inland Hospital labour and delivery room window needed a lot of human help to make it…
3 Minute Read
Health & Wellness
Sandra Ohlemann (second from right), who lives in Creekside Landing, participates in a ground-breaking ceremony with (from left) Kevin Svoboda of…
3 Minute Read
Community & Culture
When health-care teams involve people in conversations about their care, patients become partners in care, and care experiences improve. Patient…
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Community & Culture
We use social media to inform you about health-care news, services and stories, and connect you to expert sources of information. We also love to…
4 Minute Read
Research & Innovation
Nurse Simomo Ndebele says both patients & health-care professionals will benefit from the new Phil & Jennie Gaglardi Tower at…
COMMUNITIES
Come and explore the Interior of British Columbia!
East Kootenay
Visitors and residents are drawn to the scenic East Kootenay area for the world-class recreational activities, strong cultural presence and the abundance of sunshine. Rated as the sunniest city in Canada, Cranbrook boasts more sunshine hours per year than anywhere else in the country. The outdoor enthusiast can find almost any activity in East Kootenay including hang gliding, river rafting, heli-skiing, hiking, camping, skiing, fishing and snowmobiling - just to name a few. The East Kootenay region is situated along the Rocky Mountains providing lush green forests, clear glacier-fed lakes, and spectacular alpine meadows. The Kicking Horse and Columbia Rivers run through this area providing spectacular sights and experiences. As the Wilderness Capital of BC, this area promises wild animals and the great outdoors will be right at your doorstep. The East Kootenay Health Service Area has a vibrant and eclectic culture. From rodeos to music festivals to live theatre, there is always a community event extending a warm welcome.
Learn about East Kootenays
Kootenay Boundary
Situated between the Selkirk and Purcell mountain ranges, the Kootenay Boundary area is home to just under 80,000 people. Residents enjoy glacier-fed lakes, majestic vistas, natural hot springs, a temperate climate and vibrant communities. Recreation is important to life in the Kootenay Boundary. In winter, the ski areas provide downhill, cross-country and heli-skiing. In summer, the area is famous for mountain biking, canoeing, kayaking, hiking, waterskiing, fishing, boating and golf. Residents of this area have a strong connection to the community. They value the benefits of smaller rural centres such as safe communities and minimal crime. Residents are glad to enjoy all the amenities, but none of the congestion of the “big-city” lifestyle. This area is also known for its varied cultural assets. The Kootenay Centre for the Arts is a hub of cultural events, and there are also special events like the Kaslo Jazz Festival and Trail’s Silver City Days that attract hundreds of visitors each year.
Learn about Kootenay Boundary
Okanagan
Visitors and neighbouring residents alike are drawn to the Okanagan for its beautiful scenery and lifestyle. Awarded with the number two most beautiful beaches in all of Canada (only trailing behind Tofino, BC), this region promises a beautiful area to visit and live year round. The Okanagan enjoys a moderate winter climate in town with champagne powder in the mountains. World-class ski resorts such as Big White, Silver Star and Apex are within a short driving distance of the main cities. Other activities such as Nordic skiing and snowshoeing are also popular. In the summer, beautiful beaches and hot dry summers lure vacationers from around the globe. Boating, hiking, camping, fishing, mountain biking, and cycling are all in abundance – just to name a few. The Central Okanagan is the most populated of Interior Health’s service areas. It has a population of over 313,000 and covers an area over 20,000 square kilometers. There are three major urban centers: Kelowna, Vernon and Penticton. A little more urban than other health service areas, the Okanagan still has rural areas and a strong sense of community.
Learn about the Okanagan
Thompson Cariboo Shuswap
The largest of the Health Service Areas, Thompson Cariboo Shuswap covers the largest geographical area and services a population of 220,000. A region of spectacular beauty, agricultural abundance, and historic richness, the Thompson Cariboo Shuswap offers all the amenities of an urban centre without the hurried pace. There are year round sports and recreational activities, including ice fishing, curling, cross-country, downhill and heli-skiing, and snowmobiling in the winter. In the summer, outdoor pursuits include mountain biking, hiking, golfing, and all forms of water sports. The Thompson Cariboo Shuswap region is a well-developed arts and cultural environment, with special events like the Merritt Mountain Music Festival, the Salmon Arm Jazz Festival, the Cariboo Fall Fair and Kamloops Music in the Park. In addition, there are the Kamloops Symphony, the Western Canada Theatre Group and the Cariboo Art Gallery and Music Society.
Learn about Thompson Cariboo ShuswapSTAY CONNECTED
