Name: Dr. Joel Stimson (he/him/his)Job Title: Full-scope rural family physicianYears of Service: 6Worksite: Elk Valley HospitalCommunity: FernieAncestral Territory: KtunaxaFavourite Quote / Advice to live by: “I may not be the best doctor, but I’m the best doctor working that shift.” This helps ease the anxiety of working in a rural community, and pushes me to work towards being the best physician I can. Born in Halifax and raised in Calgary, Dr. Joel Stimson has always known he loved all aspects of medicine, which is why he chose rural family medicine. Dr. Stimson describes himself as passionate, caring, a team player and hard working, all vital to being a full-scope rural family physician out of the Elk Valley Hospital in Fernie. “I love variety. Providing birth-to-grave care allows me to be involved with the families and people in need. Being part of patients’ highs and lows, and critical life decisions, is an honour.”

Name: Jacqueline Stewart (she/her/hers)Job Title: Nursing unit assistantYears of Service: 10Worksite: Shuswap Lake General HospitalCommunity: Salmon ArmAncestral Territory: Secwépemc NationFavourite Quote / Advice to live by: I was born ready! Jacqueline Stewart was born in Kamloops at Royal Inland Hospital and moved to North Vancouver when she was eight. A happy-go-lucky person who is always ready for adventure, she set off for California with a girlfriend in their Volkswagen van the day after Jacqueline’s 21st birthday. They lived in beautiful Santa Barbara for three years before Jacqueline returned to North Vancouver, where she raised her two children.  Eleven years ago, Jacqueline decided to go back to school and start a new career. She chose to go into the medical field and earned her nursing unit course certificate. She’s now been working at Shuswap Lake Hospital for 10 years.

Name: Kayleigh Lowey (she/her/hers)Job Title: Nursing unit clerkYears of Service: 10Worksite: Royal Inland HospitalCommunity: KamloopsAncestral Territory: SecwépemcAdvice to live by: One day at a time. Born and raised in Kamloops, Kayleigh describes herself as honest, outgoing, adventurous, loving, compassionate and loyal – traits that contribute greatly to the work she does as a nursing unit clerk at Royal Inland Hospital. Growing up with medical issues and having numerous surgeries led Kayleigh to her career in the medical field. Kayleigh was a lifeguard for some time in her twenties, which demonstrates how she’s always been drawn to helping people. “I find the medical field very interesting and to be able to learn new things every day makes me happy.”

Name: Tasha Kanigan (she/her/hers)Job Title: Regional lead for primary careYears of Service: 10Worksite: Castlegar Health CentreCommunity: CastlegarAncestral Territory: Converging territory of the Sinixt, Syilx, Ktunaxa, Secwepemc peoples in the Kootenay BoundaryAdvice to live by: No matter the challenges that life presents, always look for the positive learning opportunities that come about and make every day a reason to smile. When Tasha Kanigan went into nursing, she didn't imagine the “endless opportunities” that her career would bring. Nearly 11 years into her career, Tasha is now the regional lead for primary care with Interior Health (IH). “I feel so fortunate that I have been able to work with and support clients from across the lifespan, and work with many professionals and teams that are all striving to do the best that they can to provide optimal care to their clients,” she said. “I am continually inspired by the stories that I hear about the work we do.”

Name: Lauren Phillips (she/her/hers)Job Title: Interim clinical operations managerYears of Service: 10Worksite: Hillside CentreCommunity: KamloopsAncestral Territory: SecwépemcAdvice to live by: Just breathe Lauren Phillips describes herself as motivated – this is why the regional tertiary coordinator recently took an interim position as the clinical operations manager at Hillside Centre, which provides psychiatric services. Her current day-to-day work includes supporting staff, psychiatrists, professionals and patients within Hillside.  “Being new to this role it’s a steep learning curve, but I have amazing support from my director, fellow MHSU managers and the staff.”

Name: Franz Huber (he/him/his)Job Title: Registered Nurse (RN)Years of Service: 25Worksite: Rutland Community Dialysis ClinicCommunity: KelownaAncestral Territory: Syilx OkanaganAdvice to live by: Work hard and be disciplined, but also have fun, and spread love and kindness Franz Huber has been a registered nurse with Interior Health (IH) for over 25 years. He moved to Canada from Austria in 1986, settling in Kelowna in 1990. Franz describes himself as a hardworking, caring, practical and "well-rounded" experienced nurse. While he is very much a self-sufficient survivalist and an environmentalist, Franz also considers himself a farmer/cowboy with a good sense of humour. 

Name: Shannon Carver (she/her/hers)Job Title: Director, Medical Imaging OkanaganYears of Service: 25Worksite: Penticton Regional HospitalCommunity: PentictonAncestral Territory: Syilx OkanaganFavourite Quote / Advice to live by: Always try to look at the bright side of life – as staying positive is infectious. Shannon hails from a small town in Saskatchewan called Kamsack. She finds inspiration from being around energetic people and loves to travel. She also participates in a variety of indoor and outdoor sports, especially those that involve water, which is what attracted her to life in the beautiful Okanagan. Shannon and her family enjoy camping, golfing, biking, boating and wake surfing. Shannon also enjoys recreating on ice, playing competitive ladies and mixed curling. Shannon has worked with IH for 25 years and is currently the director of medical imaging for the North and South Okanagan. She was hired as a casual medical radiation technologist and worked her way up to director. Shannon’s key to success is she values a work-life balance, and spends her free time exploring parts of the world near and far with friends and family.

Name: Marilyn J. Ransome (she/her/hers)Job Title: RN - Community Integration Care CoordinatorYears of Service: 10Worksite: Lansdowne Park MallCommunity: KamloopsAncestral Territory: SecwépemcFavourite Quote / Advice to live by: “Be the reason someone smiles.” – Roy T. Bennett Marilyn Ransome is inspired by teamwork. As a community integration care coordinator (CICC)/team leader in Kamloops, the Victoria, B.C. native is responsible for the coordination of day-to-day operations and quality client care, and supports the seamless movement of clients through the health-care system and in accessing appropriate resources.  “The home health team I work with is inspiring.” When the chips are down and our backs are against the wall, this team rallies together to help each other with tenacity, perseverance and humour.”

Name: Kathy Smith (she/her/hers)Job Title: Administrative ServicesYears of Service: 15Worksite: East Shore Community Health CentreCommunity: East Shore/Crawford Bay and Surrounding CommunitiesAncestral Territory: Kootenay/KtunaxaFavourite Quote / Advice to live by: The best gift you can give someone is your time. Kathy Smith was born in Edmonton. She lived in the towns of Calmar, Warburg and Whitecourt, Alta., before moving to Riondel, B.C. in 1999. Kathy considers herself “loyal to a fault at times” and likes to help people. She believes this career chose her. “When asked if I wanted to work as a receptionist in a small clinic in Riondel for Dr. Savory, little did I know that it was so much more than just answering a phone and making appointments. I have been able to help people who have a hard time trying to navigate our ever-changing system. It has been a very huge learning curve for me, which I love.”