Name: Coreen Duncan (she/her/hers)Job Title: Patient AmbassadorYears of Service: 34Worksite: Columbia HouseCommunity:  InvermereAncestral Territory: Ktunaxa and SecwépemcFavourite Quote / Advice to live by: It is important to be kind. Born and raised in Saskatoon, Coreen spent her high school years gaining experience volunteering at care homes and Meals on Wheels. Her volunteer experience and working as a housekeeper led her to Invermere with her current role as a patient ambassador in long-term care (LTC) at Columbia House.  “I remember thinking that I loved being with the elderly residents and clients. I felt that I could help make their days brighter. Thirty-four years later I still feel the same!”

Welcome to the Meet Your Recruiter series, where we bring you closer to the dedicated professionals behind Interior Health's recruitment team. In this series, you'll have the opportunity to get to know the recruiters who play a vital role in attracting and selecting talented individuals to join our dynamic health-care team. Discover their passions, expertise and invaluable insights as they share their experiences and shed light on the exciting opportunities that await you within Interior Health. As one of the largest health-care authorities in B.C., we are committed to providing exceptional care to the communities we serve. These are the people who help us fulfill this commitment.

Imagine being in a situation where you can't speak for yourself—who would you trust to speak for you? Or what if you needed to speak on behalf of a loved one, but don't know their wishes? This is the situation Kevin Dunk found himself in 10 years ago when his mom was admitted to the hospital in Cranbrook. “The care aides at the long-term care home asked me where her green folder was,” he recalls. “I didn’t know what they were talking about, nor did the hospital staff know what a green folder was. The aides said to me, ‘You know, a Do Not Resuscitate form.’ She didn’t have a care plan. I realized not only how confusing the terminology is, but how important it is for caregivers, health-care providers and physicians to all be on the same page.” Kevin’s experience led him to join Interior Health’s Patient Voices Network. Today, Kevin is one of the proud contributors from Patient Voices who helped create IH’s new My Advance Care Plan, a unique, easy-to-follow workbook that helps you record your wishes for your future health care. “My experience with my mom opened my eyes. It may be uncomfortable, but the more we talk about our wishes, the less daunting it becomes and the closer we can get to where our truth may lie,” says Kevin. “My Advance Care Plan helps break down those barriers so you can have a normal conversation about end-of-life care so it’s not so fearsome.”

In the eight years since B.C. declared a public health emergency because of deaths due to unregulated drug poisonings, we’ve seen more than 14,000 people die in this province. Do an online search about the toxic drug crisis, and the statistics jump out from the screen—numbers that are incomprehensible. But it seems the larger the numbers, the less compassionate we feel for the humans who have died. It’s called “psychic numbing,” a phenomenon in which the value of a single life diminishes the larger the tragedy. And this tragedy continues to grow. But unlike deaths from natural disasters and disease in which those who have died aren’t considered at fault, the toxic drug crisis is shaded by stigma, shame, anti-Indigenous racism, labels and blame. Myths and misconceptions abound about who’s dying, where they are dying, and why. On this eighth anniversary of the toxic drug crisis, we want to introduce you to three people who have lived experiences with unregulated drugs. All are peer volunteers for Interior Health, working in our offices, overdose prevention sites and as outreach workers to help others. We asked them to share their perspectives, what they want you to know, and what you can do to change the conversation.*

Name: Michelle HolmJob Title: Medical Laboratory TechnologistYears of Service: 14Worksite: Kootenay Boundary Regional HospitalCommunity:  TrailAncestral Territory: Syilx and KtunaxaFavourite Quote: Be the change you wish to see in the world. — Gandhi Michelle Holm is a medical laboratory technologist based at the Kootenay Boundary Regional Hospital (KBRH) in Trail, B.C. While she’s lived most of her life in Trail, she spent some years of her childhood growing up in Kamloops. Michelle is passionate about team-building, quality improvement, education and knowledge sharing.

Foundations in the Interior Region raise funds that support medical equipment, care needs, and innovative local initiatives in their communities. Each organization includes respected community leaders, volunteers and staff who are passionate about meeting the needs of patients and families in Interior Health. Thanks to the generosity of their supporters, we all have a stronger health system.  In this second story of our series on the incredible health-care and hospital foundations throughout our region, we interviewed Heidi Coleman, CEO, Royal Inland Hospital (RIH) Foundation.

Name: Gheboa Zeleniski (she/her/hers)Job Title: Support ServicesYears of Service:  5 yearsWorksite:  Cariboo Memorial HospitalCommunity:  Williams LakeAncestral Territory: Secwépemc First NationsFavourite Quote / Advice to live by: "Everything happens for a reason." Born in Squamish, Gheboa (pronounced “Ja-bo-a”) Zeleniski comes from a large family of five brothers and two step-siblings. Her parents named her after an actress but changed the pronunciation slightly so her name sounded more French. Gheboa’s Indigenous ancestors are from Saskatchewan, and include her great-grandmother, Dorothy Macquabeak Francis. Dorothy founded the first Indigenous friendship centre in Regina and was awarded the Order of Canada in 1978. When she was a young girl, Gheboa and her parents travelled to a powwow in Broadview, Saskatchewan where her great-grandmother spent her early life. There, she was given the name “Peppermint Woman” by a North Dakota Medicine Man named Clifford Young Bear, a name that signifies strength and healing.

We’re exploring one of our most important natural resources: water. In part 1 of this two-part series, Do you know where your drinking water comes from?, we shared resources about our water operators and suppliers, and how to find out if you water is under an advisory. In this story, discover how you can take care of your water supply and prepare for the spring and summer ahead.

Name: Christopher Russell (he/him/his)Job Title: Leadership & Organization Development ConsultantYears of Service: 2.5Worksite: Community Health & Services CentreCommunity: KelownaAncestral Territory: Syilx/OkanaganFavourite Quote / Advice to live by: “Growth and comfort do not coexist.” – Ginni Rometty, “All things are difficult before they are easy.” – Thomas Fuller A calm, empathetic and imaginative change management professional, Chris Russell is passionate about working in public service, and supporting the growth and development of others. From inspiring folks to see new career possibilities through facilitating workshops and development sessions, to being involved in the launch of the Change Leadership and Change Management programs and Interior Health (IH) Change Framework, Chris is a valuable resource as IH navigates change, big and small.