The Indigenous Engagement Team at Interior Health (IH) has been recognized as Runner-Up for the BC Quality Awards in the Leadership in Co-Designing Health Quality with Communities category. This recognition celebrates the team's innovative partnership with First Nations and Métis communities to create Nation-based health-care advocate roles, a groundbreaking approach to fostering equity and cultural safety in health care.

You’ve tested your home for radon or are thinking of testing. Perhaps you purchased or borrowed a continuous radon monitor to short-term test or watch levels daily. Or, maybe you bought your kit online and performed a long-term test for a minimum of 91 days during the winter months, the ideal method of radon testing.

Winter weather is here. In B.C., you may start a trip in sunshine and then face stretches of slush, ice, heavy snowfall, or compact snow, all of which can make driving conditions unpredictable and hazardous. 

Here are some steps you can take to make your road travel safer in the winter months. 

Name: Nicole Big Sorrel Horse (she/her/hers)
Job Title: Practice Lead, Indigenous Mental Wellness Team
Years of Service: 10
Worksite: Kelowna, Indigenous Mental Wellness Team, MHSU Transformation
Community: Unceded syilx nation, West Kelowna.

Merritt and area residents are advised of temporary changes to emergency department hours at Nicola Valley Hospital.

Emergency services will be unavailable from 7 a.m. on Monday, Dec. 23 to 8 a.m., Tuesday, Dec. 24, 2024. Patients can access care at Royal Inland Hospital in Kamloops during this time.

All other inpatient services will continue as normal at Nicola Valley Hospital.

Merritt and area residents are advised of temporary changes to emergency department hours at Nicola Valley Hospital.

Emergency services will be unavailable from 7 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 20 to 8 a.m., Saturday, Dec. 21, 2024. Patients can access care at Royal Inland Hospital in Kamloops during this time.

All other inpatient services will continue as normal at Nicola Valley Hospital.

With the holidays upon us, many of us look forward to spending time with family and friends. Holidays are special, and can mean more visits and gatherings, as well as activities and outings.

But for someone with dementia or cognitive impairment, large groups, noises and flashing lights, and unfamiliar places and people, can cause increased anxiety and feelings of overwhelm.

Name:  Loreen Jacobson (she/her/hers)
Job Title: Registered Nurse
Years of Service:  45
Worksite: Home Health, Royal Inland Hospital 
Community:  Merritt
Ancestral Territory: Nlaka'pamux Nation
Favourite Quote / Advice to live by: Always follow your intuition!

With New Year’s around the corner, many of us turn our thoughts to resolutions. January 1 can be a springboard for a fresh start, new habits and big goals.

From building upon important work, to strengthening relationships with Indigenous partners, to making strides to provide the healthiest start possible for our tiniest patients, there is a lot to celebrate from 2024.