Name: Teresa LeBlanc  (she/her/hers)Job Title: Nursing Unit ClerkYears of Service: 13Worksite: Ponderosa LodgeCommunity: KamloopsAncestral Territory: SecwépemcFavourite Quote / Advice to live by: “C'est la vie [That's life].” Teresa LeBlanc works as a nursing unit clerk at Ponderosa Lodge in Kamloops, B.C. She was born in Squamish and raised in Logan Lake and Merritt. She moved to Kamloops in 1995 and has lived there ever since. Describing herself as an easygoing, generally happy person, Teresa is also the type of person who likes to keep everyone pleasantly organized.

Protecting your baby or child from the sun is essential whether you're heading to the park or beach, running errands, or enjoying a summer day outdoors. Babies and children are especially vulnerable to the dangers of heat and sun exposure. Even on cloudy days, their sensitive skin can burn easily. Sunburn at any age, including in childhood, increases the risk of skin cancer later in life. UV rays from the sun cause damage to DNA, ages skin, damages eyes, and ultimately increases the risk of skin cancer. Dr. Miriam Oliver is a pediatrician and the head of the Department of Pediatrics at Penticton Regional Hospital. She's a mother of two young children and shared with us her tips for how you can protect your child or baby in the sun.

Launched in September 2023, the Relational Security Officer (RSO) program brought security in-house at seven of Interior Health’s largest hospitals. By embedding security staff directly into care teams, the program emphasizes trust and relationship-building, creating a more integrated approach to safety. Since the program’s successful launch, the initiative has expanded to South Okanagan General Hospital in Oliver and Shuswap Lake General Hospital in Salmon Arm.

Name: Laura Crossley (she/her/hers)Job Title: CounsellorYears of Service: 2Worksite: Kelowna Community Health & Services CentreCommunity: KelownaAncestral Territory: syilxFavourite Quote / Advice to live by: I have so many: Vince Lombardi, Sun Tzu and Norman Schwarzkopf. But I will quote a line from Seinfeld, season 6, episode 16: "It’s not a lie if you believe it." Laura grew up in the Lower Mainland in Coquitlam and attended Douglas College. After graduation, she moved across the country to Halifax and made her way back to B.C. after spending time in Red Deer, Alberta. She “dabbled” in sales and worked in the transportation business along the way. In 2019, she moved to Kelowna where she started work at the Foundry, a wellness centre for young people aged 12–24.

Naloxone is a widely available medication that can temporarily reverse the effects of an opioid overdose. It has been a vital tool in combatting the toxic drug crisis since B.C. launched the Take Home Naloxone program in 2012. Anyone using unregulated drugs is at risk of a toxic drug poisoning. If there is a chance you may witness or experience a toxic drug poisoning, you can get a free naloxone kit to carry with you. Many pharmacies provide them, as do health centres and community agencies. You do not need a prescription, and you do not need to provide your name. Naloxone is safe to use on people of all ages. “Naloxone is the number one intervention we have that can avert a death and remains a vitally important part of the toxic drug response efforts,” says Jessica Bridgeman, manager, Harm Reduction. “It’s simple, easy to use, and so important to help keep our community members, clients, friends and family safe.”

There's always potential for extended hot temperatures in the summer. Here's what you can do to ensure you and your family remain safe and healthy this summer.  

Name: Alma Angelina Vega Perez (she/her/hers)Job Title: Activity Coordinator, Adult Day Services Years of Service: 1.5Worksite: Kootenay Boundary Area OfficeCommunity: Kootenay BoundaryAncestral Territory: Ktunaxa, syilxFavourite Quote / Advice to Live By: “No fear of success.” Dare to chase your dreams, even when the path is uncertain. Life rewards those who take bold steps with a strong heart and a determined mind. Born and raised in Mexico, Alma has an innate love and passion for Mexican culture, traditions and gastronomy. She loves the art of selecting fresh ingredients, cooking meals from scratch and sharing them with friends and family. She also enjoys music and dancing. In fact, she has two bachelor’s degrees: one in arts education and one in Mexican folkloric dance. She also holds two master’s degrees. Alma found her calling in education and worked as a teacher. But after teaching for more than 10 years at various educational levels—primarily in universities—she decided to make a change and immigrate to Canada in July 2022.

Residents in 50 communities across B.C. will soon be able to walk, cycle and move more safely, thanks to support for new infrastructure and traffic-calming measures. The Vision Zero in Road Safety Grant Program awards funding to projects to improve road safety, make active transportation accessible and prevent injuries. This year, a record 17 Vision Zero grants were awarded in the Interior Health region to local and Indigenous governments, non-government organizations and parent advisory committees. Find out if your community was awarded a grant Shianne Bains is Interior Health’s (IH) Injury Prevention and Safety Promotion lead. She’s a member of IH’s Healthy Communities Team and the BCCDC Injury Prevention Team, and is on the Vision Zero selection committee.  “This year, funded projects included new and upgraded pedestrian crossings, infrastructure upgrades such as intersection narrowing and speed bumps to reduce vehicle speed, and construction of new multi-use paths for active road users,” says Shianne. “These projects are not only making our roads safer, but also strengthening our partnerships with communities. When we invest in safer ways for people to move, we’re investing in health and reduced injuries and deaths on our roads.” In this story, we highlight two of the award recipients and what they plan to do with their funding.

This post was originally published May 27, 2024 Jean Kearney leans in close to speak to Mick, smiling widely as she grasps his hand and holds his arm like a lifelong friend. They chat about his wife, Jill, whom he met in Sheffield, England. In his soft Yorkshire accent, Mick tells Jean he’d marry Jill all over again. “I married her 61 years ago and I’ve been chasing her ever since,” chuckles Mick. “It sounds like to me Sheffield is where your best memories are, Mick,” says Jean, an adult day program coordinator at the Good Samaritan Village by the Station care facility in Penticton.