Name: Joanna Norman, RM (she/her/hers)Job Title: Owner of Mighty Oak Midwifery Care & Clinical Director, EPACTLength of Service: 18Worksite: Royal Inland HospitalCommunity: KamloopsAncestral Territory: Secwépemc Favourite Quote / Advice to Live By: “You cannot get through a single day without having an impact on the world around you. What you do makes a difference, and you have to decide what kind of difference you want to make.” —Jane Goodall For nearly three decades, Joanna Norman has walked alongside families during some of the most profound moments of their lives. She’s with them from the time they are pregnant to the time they give birth and in the first few weeks of parenthood and follow-up care. On International Women’s Day, we celebrate Joanna not only for her dedication to families in Kamloops, but for her contribution to a stronger, more collaborative vision for maternity care in the region.

March is Nutrition Month—the perfect time to build skills that support your heart health in simple, practical ways. If you’re living with a cardiac condition (or supporting someone who is), the kitchen can be one of your most powerful tools. Our new short video series is designed to make heart-healthy cooking approachable, realistic and even fun. Related Stories@IH: Cook your way to kidney health with plant-based medicine This series is about more than recipes. It’s about building confidence and how to create meals that nourish your heart without sacrificing taste. Ready to get started? Watch the videos, try the tips, and cook along with the bowl recipe in your own kitchen. Small changes can lead to lasting impact and it all starts with what’s on your plate. Cooking Your Way to a Healthy Heart: Plant-Based Proteins Explore the benefits of incorporating more plant-based meals into your routine. Cooking Your Way to a Healthy Heart: How to Prepare Dried Beans Discover how to prepare beans and lentils, affordable, fibre-rich staples that promote cardiovascular health.  Cooking Your Way to a Healthy Heart: Black Bean Burrito Bowl In our step-by-step bowl video, follow along at home to build a delicious black bean, veggie, salsa and rice bowl that’s balanced, flavourful and satisfying.

Interior Health (IH) delivers care through hospitals, clinics, long-term care homes, and other facilities. Behind the scenes many teams work together to keep these facilities safe, comfortable and sustainable. They integrate key considerations such as HVAC systems, thermal energy priorities, and climate responsibilities into capital projects that support quality environments for patients and staff. This includes managing how buildings use and generate energy to lower greenhouse gas emissions, and ensuring healthy indoor air quality. Major infrastructure and energy projects rely on close collaboration across departments: Plant Services in partnership with Clinical Operations identify the needs and operational priorities, while the Project Management team plans, scopes and coordinates each project. Once construction is complete, projects transition back to Plant Services, where regional plant managers oversee safe operations, maintenance and long-term performance. Throughout the process, the Energy Management team provides expertise in efficiency, emissions reduction and sustainability. Together, these teams ensure IH facilities remain reliable, climate‑aligned and focused on protecting patient and staff well-being. Meet some of the team members who bring this process to life and learn about their roles.

In the interior of B.C., where winter can sometimes be unforgiving, the need for warmth goes far beyond temperature. It’s about dignity, safety and belonging. For individuals who are unhoused or at risk, the cold season brings heightened vulnerability; not just to the elements, but to a range of health and emotional risks that are often invisible to the public eye. The link between housing and health is undeniable. According to Public Health Ontario’s report on homelessness and health outcomes, people who rely on emergency shelters, winter response sites or outdoor spaces face higher risks of chronic illness, mental health challenges, substance-related harms and barriers to accessing care. These risks aren’t about personal choices: they’re about circumstances, access and safety. Without stable housing, even basic health care becomes difficult to access.

Name: Jayme Pereira (she/her/hers)Job Title: Coordinator, Peer InclusionLength of Service: 4Worksite:  Kelowna Community Health and Services Centre (CHSC)Community: KelownaAncestral Territory: syilixFavourite Quote / Advice to Live By: “Everyone you meet is fighting a battle you know nothing about. Be kind. Always.”  —Robin Williams Jayme lives in Kelowna on the traditional, ancestral and unceded territory of the syilix Nation. For her, family and community guide how she navigates life. That sense of connection to people, shared experiences, and a responsibility to embody inclusion is something Jayme carries into work every day. To Jayme, reconciliation is not a single action or statement. It’s a practice. It’s a way of life. “Reconciliation starts with a commitment to learning the truths of the past, reflecting on my own assumptions, and building relationships rooted in respect and humility. I believe it is a lifelong practice, and I commit to showing up with consistency, curiosity and care.” That commitment to listening, especially to voices that have too often been excluded, is central to Jayme’s work in the Peer Inclusion program—and the fuel for each choice she’s made along her career path.

After a warm and rainy start to winter across much of the province, British Columbians are encouraged to prepare for colder weather and winter road conditions in the days and weeks ahead. As temperatures drop, it’s important to be aware of the health risks of cold. Here's what you can do to ensure you and your loved ones remain safe and healthy.

Heart disease is the number one killer of women worldwide and the leading cause of premature death in Canada. One in three women will be affected by heart disease. Dr. Emmanuelle Massie is a cardiologist at Interior Health (IH) in Kelowna. “Cardiovascular (heart) disease is a leading cause of mortality in women,” she says. “However, most clinical trials have enrolled a much greater proportion of men compared to women, and hence there is very little data on women in this field.”

Thanks to a free virtual reality tool, Interior Health (IH) is connecting with post-secondary students in new and creative ways to spark interest in health-care careers. In partnership with Wavemakers, a national, Government of Canada supported initiative, IH connects with students from a wide range of educational backgrounds and creates opportunities for them to explore career pathways in a fully virtual environment. IH, a Wavemakers partner since 2022, is one of the only health authorities in Canada participating in the program’s national career and networking events. Apply to Wavemakers

Heartbreaking tragedies in our communities, province or even those far away from us can bring up a range of emotions: sadness, fear, anger and a sense of helplessness. These reactions are normal. In times of collective pain, tending to our own well-being is not only important, but necessary. We encourage anyone to reach out for support, whether for yourself, a colleague, or someone in your life who may be hurting. Interior Health (IH) and our community partners provide mental health services for youth and adults. Our services are confidential and safe, and free of judgment and stigma.