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: Neurosurgeon Years of Service: 2 Worksite: Royal Inland Hospital  Community: Kamloops Ancestral Territory: Secwépemc Favourite 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 Strategy Years of Service: 31 Worksite: Community Health Services Centre  Community: Kelowna Ancestral Territory: Syilx Nation Favourite 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: 10 Worksite: Rocky Mountain Lodge MHSU (Mental Health and Substance Use) Community: Cranbrook Ancestral Territory: Ktunaxa Favourite 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 Assistant Years of Service:  11 Worksite:  Kelowna General Hospital Community:  Kelowna Ancestral Territory: Syilx Favourite 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.

Name: Tracy McKelvey (she/her/hers) Job Title: MHSU Administrative Support Clerk Years of Service: 15 Worksite: Outpatient Psychiatry, Penticton Mental Health Community: Penticton Ancestral Territory: Syilx Nation   Favourite Quote / Advice to live by: Focus on the positives in life! Tracy McKelvey works for Interior Health as a Mental Health and Substance Use (MHSU) administrative support clerk in outpatient psychiatry at Penticton Regional Hospital. Born in the lower mainland of B.C., Tracy was raised in Summerland from the age of three. She describes herself as introverted, intuitive and an animal lover.

Name: Natasha Nel Job Title: Accounts Receivable - Accounting Assistant Years of Service: 21 Worksite: Lansdowne Centre Community: Kamloops Ancestral Territory: T'Kemlups   Favourite Quote / Advice to live by: Try to be kind, helpful, and share knowledge.  Learning doesn't stop after school. For Natasha Nel, over 20 years with Interior Health in Accounts Receivable has added up to a rewarding career. “I like puzzles and troubleshooting, learning new tools to help me and others with our work, and learning new software as I use quite a few different ones for my work,” said Natasha, who was born in Saskatoon and spent the majority of her childhood in Burnaby.

Name: Deborah (Deb) Loney (she/her/hers) Job Title: Registered Nurse Years of Service: 41  Worksite:  Hillside Centre Community: Kamloops Ancestral Territory: Secwépemc  Favourite Quote / Advice to live by: “Be kind – you never know what battles others are fighting.” – Deb Loney As a child, Deborah (Deb) Loney lived all over the world. The daughter of a Royal Canadian Air Force serviceman, she was born in London, Ontario, and lived in France, Belgium and Virginia. She calls Ottawa her hometown. When she was 18 years old, Deb joined her girlfriend on a bus trip to Kingston to check out the nursing program. “I got into the program. She didn’t,” recalls Deb. “I was accepted into the accelerated program during a nursing shortage, and graduated at 20 years old. That was 50 years ago.”

Name: Jennie Bui (she/her/hers) Job Title: Communication and Engagement consultant  Years of Service: 2  Worksite:  Royal Inland Hospital Community: Kamloops Ancestral Territory: Secwépemc  Favourite Quote / Advice to live by: “You can’t ever reach perfection, but you can believe in an asymptote toward which you are ceaselessly striving.” - Dr. Paul Kalanithi Originally born and raised in Haiphong City, Vietnam, Jennie Bui joined IH more than two years ago as a communications professional. Starting out as a co-op student, Jennie has continued to develop and grow her skills with the Communication and Engagement team as they tackle new and exciting changes in the industry. Learn more about Jennie, her love for food and how innovation is playing a role in communications.