Dr. Mark Szynkaruk—known simply as Dr. Mark to his patients—is a family doctor based in the small town of Grand Forks. A graduate of the University of Toronto’s medical school, he came to the Kootenay Boundary region over a decade ago as part of the first cohort of UBC’s newly-launched rural family medicine residency. He was drawn to the variety of work that medicine in a small, rural town offers and knew early on he wanted to work in addiction medicine.

Interior Health (IH) is reminding residents to protect themselves and their families by purchasing food only from approved food businesses.

In 2025, IH received 60 complaints about unapproved food vendors—a number that continues to rise.

More people are turning to home-based food businesses to earn extra income or test out a new business idea with minimal personal investment.

“Life is just getting more expensive,” notes IH Environmental Health Officer (EHO) Marion Masson. “Some people are selling food as a secondary source of income.”

Name: Tineke Dineen (she/her/hers) 
Job Title: Policy Specialist 
Length of Service: 2 years 

Throughout her health-care career, Interior Health (IH) Laboratory Services Program Director Joanne Isber has worked in both Canada and the U.S.

Joanne started her career as a medical lab technologist (MLT) in Ontario, then moved to Georgia where she spent 15 years working as a clinical lab scientist. In 2008, she returned to Canada and joined IH Laboratory Services as a manager and professional practice lead.

Updated Jan. 14, 2026: More people connected to addictions care through streamlined phone service

Summary

Sage Thomas of Tk'emlúps te Secwe̓pemc is making history in Kamloops as the only registered Indigenous midwife in British Columbia currently serving her home community.

As a newly graduated maternity care provider, Sage says she feels a real sense of accomplishment and is excited for what the future holds.

“I have found my passion,” she shares.

The Nelson Community Health Services Centre remains temporarily closed due to water damage that occurred in the afternoon of Dec. 30. Interior Health does not have a confirmed date for re-opening of the health services centre at this time.

Services provided at the centre are being reestablished at alternate locations, including unused space at the neighbouring Nelson Fairview Gardens, which was not impacted.

Name: Elizabeth Adolph
Job Title: Care Aide
Length of Service: 35+ Years             
Worksite: Mountain View Lodge
Community: Lillooet
Ancestral Territory: Stat'imc