Name: Barry Hengel (he/him/his)Job Title: Manager, Clinical OperationsYears of Service:  6Worksite: Westview PlaceCommunity: PentictonAncestral Territory: SyilxFavourite Quote / Advice to live by: “Educating the mind without educating the heart is no education at all.” - Aristotle Barry was born and raised in the heart of the Rocky Mountains in Cranbrook, B.C., home to five Stanley Cup champions – as he proudly points out. Today, Barry lives in Summerland and is also proud to be leading the clinical operations team at Westview Place long-term care. “I’m inspired by all the great people I get to work with, and the positivity they bring,” he says.

Name: Leslie Bryant (she/her/hers)Job Title: Improvement consultantYears of Service: 16Worksite:  KGH and homeCommunity:  Kelowna/Lake CountryAncestral Territory: Syilx NationFavourite Quote / Advice to live by: “I am a part of all that I have met.” – Alfred Lord Tennyson Meet Leslie Bryant, a dynamic and versatile individual passionate about sports, research and community engagement. Born in Edmonton and raised in rural B.C., including a farm on Secwépemc Nation territory, she now resides on a small organic farm in Lake Country, overlooking the beautiful Okanagan Lake on Syilx Nation territory. Leslie’s diverse experiences range from moonlighting as a writer for Backroad Mapbooks to running an Airbnb, proving herself to be a true jack-of-all-trades. She also has served as a ski patroller and held a role as a minor official in the NBA, highlighting her love for physical activity. Whether it’s golf, skiing, pickleball or hiking, Leslie is always active. Additionally, she actively supports her three kids’ various sports such as hockey, baseball, volleyball, basketball, and track and field. It’s no surprise that Leslie describes herself as “a sporty busy mom of three beautiful smart kids.”

Name: Cindy Cota (she/her/hers)Job Title: Accounts receivable supervisorYears of Service:  5 yearsWorksite:  LansdowneCommunity: KamloopsAncestral Territory: T'kemlupsFavourite Quote / Advice to live by: “Don't sweat the small stuff! Everything happens for a reason!” Cindy Cota is dynamic, people-centric, kind, loving and, according to her friends, a true mama bear.

Name: Elizabeth Benade (she/her/hers)Job Title: Family physician and hospitalistYears of Service: 6Worksite: Glenvalley Medical Clinic and Kelowna General Hospital (KGH)Community: KelownaAncestral Territory: Syilx/OkanaganFavourite Quote / Advice to live by: “Success is not the key to happiness. Happiness is the key to success. If you love what you are doing, you will be successful.” — Albert Schweitzer Born and raised in Bloemfontein, South Africa, Dr. Elizabeth Benade completed her medical studies in South Africa. She moved to Brandon, Man. in 2009, where she completed the LMCC I & II and CCFP examinations to gain full registration in Canada. Despite returning to South Africa in 2013, Dr. Benade continued to work in Canada doing locum work in Brandon until 2017 when she relocated to Kelowna, B.C., which she now calls home. Dr. Benade is now a family physician and hospitalist based at Kelowna General Hospital (KGH). She describes herself as determined, caring and passionate about helping others.

Name: Kaity Elliot (she/her/hers)Job Title: Patient ambassador (Forest View Place - long-term care)Years of Service:  10Worksite:  Dr. Helmcken Memorial HospitalCommunity:  ClearwaterAncestral Territory: Secwépemc / Shuswap - Interior SalishFavourite Quote / Advice to live by: “What you put out into the universe you get back. Be intentional and aware what you put out there because it will come back :)” Kaity Elliot has always been a happy and talkative social butterfly, who enjoys getting to know people, which is what makes her role as patient ambassador in Clearwater such a phenomenal fit.

Carl Meadows is a name synonymous with Pride season at Interior Health (IH), having contributed greatly to the 2SLGBTQIA+ community both at IH and within the wider Okanagan community. As Carl’s retirement draws near, and to mark his last Pride Month with IH, we wanted to send him off in style. Read on for our interview to celebrate his career and efforts to promote diversity, equity and inclusion. Name: Carl Meadows (he/him/his)Job Title: Executive director, clinical operations, South OkanaganYears of Service:  7Worksite:  Penticton Regional Hospital (PRH)Community:  PentictonAncestral Territory: Syilx/Okanagan Interior Salish

Name: Kathleen (Katie) Keegan (she/her/hers)Job Title: Perinatal Social Worker, Primary Care Network Years of Service: 6 Worksite: Rutland Health Centre  Community: Kelowna Ancestral Territory:  Syilx NationFavourite Quote / Advice to live by: "Be soft. Do not let the world make you hard. Do not let pain make you hate. Do not let the bitterness steal your sweetness." – Kurt Vonnegut Perinatal social worker Katie Keegan has been passionate about helping others and acknowledging and supporting the inherent power of women throughout her life and career. Born and raised in Kelowna, Katie always had a natural, helping nature, and an interest in pregnancy and babies – qualities which informed the trajectory of her career. Katie says, “As a girl I was taught that I could do or be anything and I think that really stuck with me.”

Early in his life, Craig knew he wanted to help people in any capacity he could. Born in North Vancouver and raised in Kelowna, Craig enjoyed a varied career in the Canadian Armed Forces and as a police officer in the RCMP, and pursued his passion for animals by working with horses before joining Interior Health (IH) in 2017. After moving away from Kelowna for some time, Craig and his family returned in 2012. “I am honoured to have the opportunity to raise a family on these beautiful lands, and acknowledge that this privilege comes as a result of significant trauma to the Indigenous nations of this country. I’m committed to reconciliation and learning to live in harmony with the people, animals and plants of this beautiful land.”

Name: Teresa Packer (she/her/hers)Job Title: Support services supervisorYears of Service: 15Worksite: Kootenay Boundary Regional Hospital (KBH)Community:  TrailAncestral Territory: Ktunaxa (tun-ah-ha)/ Kootenay KtunaxaFavourite Quote / Advice to live by: Stay positive, make someone laugh and give a compliment every day. This will make for a healthier and happier you. When Teresa Packer walked into Kootenay Boundary Regional Hospital 15 years ago to apply for a food service worker role, she was a first-time mother looking to rejoin the workforce. Bringing her 18-month-old son along at the time, they spoke with the support services supervisor for more information. Little did Teresa know that this would be her role a few years down the line. Teresa is now the housekeeping and food service supervisor based in Trail, and if she isn’t helping out someone at work, she’s likely taking care of family or a filly nearby!