Nurse Practitioner Careers

Dr. Louann Janicki is a family nurse practitioner (FNP) and joined the Professional Practice Office in 2015 as the inaugural NP lead and IH Regional NP Department chair. She's also NP director and Health Authority Medical Advisory Committee (HAMAC) vice chair (interim). 

She has worked as an NP in a variety of clinical areas for 22 years, including primary care, chronic non-malignant pain, women’s health and arrhythmia/cardiology. Louann started at IH in 2006, and was one of the first five NPs ever hired at IH. She was also one of the first NPs to obtain a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree in B.C. in 2010. 

Louann is passionate about NP integration and collaborative interdisciplinary team-based care. She's also an advocate for quality, culturally safe and patient/family-centered care, and innovative ways to transform and improve the delivery of health care.

She is credentialed and has been a member of the American Nurses Credentialing Committee (ANCC) as an FNP since 1998. She's also a member of the American Academy Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP) and Nurse Practitioner Association of Canada (NPAC).

Over the past years, Louann has been pivotal in advocating and integrating the NP role into primary care at IH, and improving patient access to care. She tirelessly leads to build alliances with physician colleagues, allied health and community partners.

Facing the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, opioid crisis, and human resource deficits in health care, Louann has directed that every NP be credentialed and privileged as members of the medical staff, required all primary care NPs be opioid agonist therapy certified, and ensured NPs practise to their full scope to address the needs of our population.

Louann demonstrates a work ethic to which to aspire, instilling nurse practitioner leadership, advocacy, professionalism, cultural humility and dedication to evidence-based, high-quality practice.

As an NP pioneer, she is proud to reflect on the growth of NPs in the province. With the advanced scope and leadership, NPs are now woven into the fabric and all sectors of health care as vital health-care providers.

Catherine joined the NP Program in April 2022 as the NP lead for IH North. She graduated from the University of Toronto, Family NP program and practised in northern rural communities for five years until she joined the Outreach Urban Health Centre in Kelowna in 2021.

A nurse for more than 24 years, Catherine has worked in a variety of areas including primary care, pediatrics, surgery and public health. Catherine completed her Master of Science in Nursing at UBC prior to becoming an NP with a focus on Indigenous health promotion.

Catherine comes from the Yukon and has worked throughout B.C., the Island and the Interior, and was with Northern Health for seven years in Haida Gwaii. Catherine, her husband and three active teenagers are a family who love to spend time outdoors, hike, camp and play sports. Over the years, they have visited most areas of British Columbia.

Kathleen McCaig is an NP in the cardiac program at Kelowna General Hospital, and NP lead for Acute and Specialty Care.

She completed her Bachelor of Science in Nursing at the University of Western Ontario in London, Ontario in 2001. Shortly after graduation her career as a registered nurse took her to Adelaide, Australia where she worked in cardiac intensive care.

In 2004 she returned to her hometown of Toronto. While working as an RN in the catheterization lab, she graduated with distinction from the University of Toronto with a Master in Nursing and obtained her NP licence.

As an NP in Toronto, she worked in cardiac surgery, heart function and structural heart disease, and was the practice lead for the NP department at Sunnybrook. She was an adjunct lecturer at the University of Toronto, supporting undergraduate and graduate nursing students. 

In 2018 her family decided to move to Kelowna. Her current NP role supports the TAVI Program, RACE, and Cardiac Surgery Program at Kelowna General Hospital. When Kathleen is not at work, you can find her on the ski hill, playing with her family, or hiking with her dog.

Tara graduated as a registered nurse in 1992, and completed her Critical Care Certificate in 1997.

She worked in various ICU’s and acute care areas as well as community health before returning to school and completing her Master of Nursing at the University of Victoria with Nurse Practitioner designation in 2010.

Tara started her NP career at Selkirk Family Medicine in Trail, B.C., and moved back to Cranbrook in 2012 as the first NP in Cranbrook with the Ktunaxa Nation. For the last 10 years she has specialized mental health and substance use, hepatitis C, HIV, opioid agonist therapy and transgender care, with a focus on marginalized populations.

She transitioned to urgent and primary care in 2021, and joined the NP lead team June 2023.

When not at work, Tara enjoys being active with mountain biking and hiking.

Bianca joined the NP team as program leader in 2022. She previously worked as a strategic business consultant with the IH Contracted Services team, where she set up and managed the new contracted NP portfolio, established NP group contracts for urgent primary care centres, and formalized various relationships supporting the primary care networks and initiatives across the Interior region.

Bianca has in-depth experience in data analysis and implementing new systems and processes from previous roles.

She holds a master’s degree and a professional designation in business administration and economics. Bianca enjoys working with health-care providers and our various partners to improve systems that support high-quality care. She's excited to be an active part of the continuous growth and integration of the NP profession and portfolio across Interior Health.

In her free time, she enjoys the great Canadian outdoors with her husband and dog.

Leah joined the NP team as interim program leader in September 2022. Previously, she worked as a strategic business advisor with IH Contracted Services supporting the primary care portfolio.

During this time she was involved with the contracted NP portfolio and supported the transition of NP contracts from Contracted Services to Medical Affairs.

Leah has a background in contract management and procurement. She obtained her diploma in supply chain management in 2020, and has an occupation health and safety diploma. She's working towards her Bachelor in Business Administration from Okanagan College.

In her spare time, she enjoys hiking, camping, weightlifting and spending time with her family.

Nicole: I have been working as an NP since 2007. I moved to the Okanagan in 2012 to join the cardiology program at Kelowna General Hospital, specifically to launch the atrial fibrillation clinic. I have enjoyed the opportunity afforded by IH to develop new roles such as the clinic, and later, the supportive care clinic pilot for the renal program. Most recently, I have grown my scope of knowledge in cardiology within the electrophysiology program. Team-based care has been central to my positive experiences and successful career as an NP within Interior Health.

Jodie: I have been a member of the IH Acute Care NP Program for a short period of time and cannot give enough positive feedback to the experience. Working in acute care in IH is great! All team members are collaborative, respectful and supportive. Because of this, the concept of team-based care is very easily integrated into my daily practice. Additionally, IH prioritizes education and orientation in that they provide ample opportunities to further your skillset and experience.

My name is Valerie Murphy Moore and I am currently in my third year of practice as a nurse practitioner with Interior Health. I was born and raised here in Kamloops and fortunate to be able to be a health-care provider for the community. I'm transitioning into a new role as the cardiology nurse practitioner at Royal Inland Hospital.

Until now, I have worked at the North Shore Primary Care clinic in a family practice. I truly have enjoyed seeing my patients at Primary Care through their lifespans. I enjoyed the bonds I formed with them and their families, as well as the diverse learning field and application of skills and procedures.

I'm also ready to consider searching for some new opportunities in my role, such as guest lecturing at an academic establishment or possibly considering participating in a research activity. I am so impressed with the opportunities and options to grow as a provider through IH and I am grateful for the entire team. I look forward to meeting and connecting with other NPs in IH.