Nestled just east of the Cascade Mountains along Highway 3, at the juncture of the Similkameen and Tulameen rivers, lies Princeton. The small town of just over 2,800—whose slogan is “Where rivers and friends meet”—is known for its forestry, mining and ranching, as well as outdoor pursuits like bird watching and fishing.
When it comes to caring for people who use substances, Dr. Lisa Heidt strives to support health-care staff to work smarter, not harder. For the past 15 years as an emergency department (ED) physician at the Vernon Jubilee Hospital (VJH), Dr. Heidt knows all too well how hard inpatient staff work in this busy hospital.
Residents of Nakusp and area are advised that Interior Health has secured nursing coverage and the emergency department at Arrow Lakes Hospital has re-opened.
Nakusp and area residents are advised of temporary changes to emergency department hours at Arrow Lakes Hospital due to limited nursing availability.
Emergency services will be unavailable from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Monday, Feb 26. Patients can access care at Kootenay Lake Hospital during this time.
All other inpatient services will continue as normal at Arrow Lakes Hospital.
100 Mile House and area residents are advised of temporary changes to emergency department hours at 100 Mile District General Hospital due to limited nursing availability.
Emergency services will be unavailable from 7 p.m. on Saturday, Feb 24 to 7 a.m. on Sunday, Feb 25. Patients can access care at Cariboo Memorial Hospital during this time.
Oliver and area residents are advised of temporary changes to emergency department hours at South Okanagan General Hospital due to limited physician availability.
Emergency services will be unavailable from 5 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, Feb 24. Patients can access care at Penticton Regional Hospital during this time.
All other inpatient services will continue as normal at South Okanagan General Hospital.
Brynn and Hayden are youth in the Interior who have lived experience with substance use. They teamed up with Interior Heath to promote new services for their youth peers.
The SAY project was launched in 2023 to promote the new substance use services Interior Health created specifically for youth across the region. Hayden and Brynn (not their real names) helped create the campaign to spread the word about these services.
Name: Logan Nealis (he/him/his)
Job Title: Clinical Psychologist
Years of Service: Two
Worksite: Royal Inland Hospital
Community: Kamloops
Ancestral Territory: Secwépemc
Favourite Quote / Advice to live by: “We’re all just walking each other home.” – Ram Dass
The news of Dr. Doug Cochrane’s recent passing has impacted communities and individuals across B.C. and beyond. Those who had the honour to work alongside him over his long and highly respected career are mourning the loss of an esteemed colleague, who will be well-remembered for his gentle approach to leadership and his ability to humanize the most complex of issues. Even those who only knew him briefly will surely remember Doug for his humility, integrity, and kindness.
Doug had stepped down as Interior Health Board Chair for health reasons on Feb. 4, 2024.
Interior Health president and CEO Susan Brown has issued the following statement on the loss of Interior Health Board Chair Dr. Doug Cochrane:
“I am deeply saddened by the passing of Dr. Doug Cochrane, Chair, Interior Health Board of Directors.
