Name: Julianna DuplessisJob Title: SonographerYears of Service: 8Worksite: Royal Inland HospitalCommunity: KamloopsAncestral Territory: SecwépemcFavourite Quote / Advice to live by: “God does not give us more than we can handle.” Julianna Duplessis loves her job as a diagnostic medical sonographer at Royal Inland Hospital (RIH).  She says every day is different and every diagnosis is different, keeping you on your toes.  “Every day is a new experience because as computers get better, so do the ultrasounds, so we see more and we constantly learn in this job. It’s not one you could be stagnant in,” noted Julianna, who’s been a sonographer for nearly three decades.

Name: Gillian Gabelhei (she/her/hers)Job Title: Occupational TherapistYears of Service:  11Worksite:  Brookhaven Care CentreCommunity:  KelownaAncestral Territory: SyilxFavourite Quote / Advice to live by: Nothing is so strong as gentleness, nothing so gentle as real strength. – Saint Francis de Sales Apart from a couple of years at university in Edmonton, occupational therapist (OT), Gillian Gabelhei has lived in Kelowna ever since moving to Canada from her birthplace in Durban, South Africa. She describes herself as easygoing, patient, practical and open-minded.

Name: Ian Luckhurst (he/him/his)Job Title: Manager, Clinical EducationYears of Service: 10Worksite: Professional Practice OfficeCommunity: RosslandAncestral Territory: Syilx and Ktunaxa NationsFavourite Quote / Advice to live by: "Go placidly amid the noise and haste and remember what peace there may be in silence." - Desiderata, 1927 Born and raised in Edmonton, Ian started his nursing career in 2006. His interest in science and pathology led him to specializing in critical and emergency care nursing. An outdoor enthusiast, Ian worked for nine years part-time as a certified critical care flight nurse, helping transport patients in the Northwest Territories and Nunavut.

Name: Emily Larochelle (she/her/hers)Job Title:  Registered Nurse, Clinical Care EducatorYears of Service: 13Worksite: Kootenay Boundary Regional HospitalCommunity: Trail, West KootenaysAncestral Territory: Ktunaxa and Syilx NationsFavourite Quote / Advice to live by: "There is a light somewhere. It may not be much light but it beats the darkness." – Charles Bukowski  

Content warning: residential schools, death. The information and material presented here may cause unpleasant feelings or thoughts for some people. Many individuals find it helpful to discuss these feelings in a supportive and trusting environment. Please reach out to the supports most appropriate to your individual needs: KUU-US (Aboriginal) Crisis line at 1-800-588-8717 BC Crisis Line at 310-6789 In 2021, the government of Canada officially made Sept. 30 a federal statutory holiday called the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation; the Province of British Columbia also officially declared Sept. 30 a statutory holiday in March 2023. This is a day for all people living on Turtle Island, now known as Canada, to recognize the tragic legacy of residential schools and honour the children who never returned home, the survivors of these institutions, the families left behind, and their communities.  Public commemoration of the tragic and painful history, and ongoing impacts of residential schools, is a vital component of the reconciliation process. Interior Health (IH) is committed to addressing past and present harms resulting from the residential school legacy and negative effects to the health and well-being of Aboriginal Peoples. This comes in the form of addressing Indigenous-specific racism within the B.C. health-care system by focusing on advancing Aboriginal health and cultural safety within health service delivery.  In advance of this year’s National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, we wanted to highlight some of the change-makers at IH who are working to strengthen our relationships with Aboriginal partners, and recognize and appreciate the heritage and diverse cultures of Aboriginal communities and people we serve, and how we’re striving to embed their wisdom, knowledge, and culture into how we deliver services to provide culturally safe care.

Name: Dr. Reena Baweja (she/her/hers)Job Title: NeurosurgeonYears of Service: 2Worksite: Royal Inland Hospital Community: KamloopsAncestral Territory: SecwépemcFavourite Quote / Advice to live by: Kindness is king! Dr. Reena Baweja was very well travelled before moving to Kamloops to accept a neurosurgeon role at Royal Inland Hospital (RIH) in July 2021. Born and raised in Ottawa, she received her undergraduate degree from McGill University in Montreal, Quebec and completed medical school in Australia at the University of Sydney. She finished her neurosurgery training at McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario, and then completed a two-year fellowship at the University of Ottawa, specializing in peripheral nerve and spinal disorders. “My desire to explore the other side of the world led me to Australia … but my desire to practice in Canada led me back home,” Dr. Baweja said. “I moved to Kamloops for the general neurosurgical position at Royal Inland Hospital because it offered high volume trauma and the opportunity to gain valuable experience.”

Name: Shannon Campbell (she/her/hers)Job Title: Manager, Workplace Safety StrategyYears of Service: 31Worksite: Community Health Services Centre Community: KelownaAncestral Territory: Syilx NationFavourite Quote / Advice to live by: "If somebody offers you an amazing opportunity but you are not sure you can do it, say yes – then learn how to do it later!" – Richard Branson After starting her career as a registered nurse (RN) and working at Kelowna General Hospital, Shannon Campbell never guessed that she would transition into a safety career 18 years later.  Now, as manager of workplace safety strategy, Shannon credits the opportunities that were provided to her by Interior Health for making a career change that has been extremely rewarding.

Name: Elaine Prud’homme (she/her/hers)Job Title: Youth Substance Use Connections DASW (Discipline Allied with Social Work)Years of Service: 10Worksite: Rocky Mountain Lodge MHSU (Mental Health and Substance Use)Community: CranbrookAncestral Territory: KtunaxaFavourite Quote / Advice to live by: Let go, let God. Keep it simple. One day at a time. For Elaine Prud’homme, being a positive role model for her children, and creating positive outcomes for people in her community makes life worth living.

Name: Stephanie Guss (she/her/hers)Job Title: Rehabilitation AssistantYears of Service:  11Worksite:  Kelowna General HospitalCommunity:  KelownaAncestral Territory: SyilxFavourite Quote / Advice to live by: I try to live with the mindset to always be nice to others because you don't know what kind of battles they are dealing with. Meet Stephanie Guss, our optimistic and energetic rehabilitation assistant who is passionate about people and animals, staying active, and helping patients progress! Born in the very place that she works, Stephanie is based at Kelowna General Hospital (KGH) and was raised in West Kelowna before making the move back across the bridge to Kelowna several years ago.