Interior Health has more than 4,800 volunteers across the region. These volunteers fill a variety of roles that benefit our staff, patients, clients and residents alike.

Microbiology and PCR staff posing with Dr. Bonnie Henry shirts outside of the lab in front of KGH   Name: Chandra Hauer (she/her/hers)Job Title: Medical Technologist and PCR Testing Department Lead Years of Service: 10Worksite: Kelowna General Hospital Community: KelownaAncestral Territory: SyilxAdvice to live by: I just try to have a positive outlook, be happy and hopefully promote happiness around me. Chandra Hauer loves working in health care and has spent most of her career working in microbiology. “Every day is different, every specimen is different and there is never a dull moment!” she says.

Name: Patti Ironstand (she/her/hers)Job Title: Registered Psychiatric NurseYears of Service: 11Worksite: Gillis HouseCommunity: MerrittAncestral Territory: Nlaka’pamux and Syilx NationsAdvice to live by: Give to people what you would like to receive. Patti Ironstand is an Aboriginal woman, originally from North Battleford, Sask., who has worked in health care since 1985, including 11 years with Interior Health. Patti has always worked with seniors, going so far as to call it her passion.  “I love working with seniors – they are the Knowledge Keepers.”

Name: Ryan Benson (she/her/hers)Job Title: Improvement ConsultantYears of Service: 14Worksite: Community Health & Services CentreCommunity: KelownaAncestral Territory: SyilxAdvice to live by: “Life is short – use the good china.” - Unknown As an Improvement Consultant with Interior Health, Ryan Benson likes to bring positivity and a sense of a can-do attitude to everything she encounters in her day.

Name: Janet Quesnel (she/her/hers)Job Title: Registered Nurse Years of Service: 35Worksite: Ashcroft Hospital & Health CentreCommunity: AshcroftAncestral Territory: Nlaka’pamuxAdvice to live by: Treat others as you expect to be treated, and respect others as you expect them to respect you. Hailing from Edinburgh, Scotland, Janet Quesnel immigrated in 1966 to Wabush, Labrador. She made her B.C. debut with a move to Logan Lake in 1972 and has been in Ashcroft since 1987. A registered nurse (RN), Janet has been with Interior Health for 35 years.

Kootenay Boundary Regional Hospital team The pharmacy team at Interior Health is constantly striving to be at the leading edge of health care through innovation, progression and dedication.  Whether a staff pharmacist, clinical pharmacist, pharmacy assistant or pharmacy technician, they are all part of a larger team that has been built on the foundation of support and collaboration. 

Name: Randine Mariona (she/her/hers)Job Title: Mental Health & Substance Use ClinicianYears of Service: 11 yearsWorksite: North Shore Health Science CentreCommunity: KamloopsAncestral Territory: Tk’emlúps te Secwe̓pemcAdvice to live by: “What lies behind you and what lies in front of you, pales in comparison to what lies inside of you.” - Ralph Waldo Emerson For Randine, Mental Health & Substance Use Clinician, every day is an opportunity to hear people's stories, and validate their courage and strength. She loves nothing more than to celebrate small steps they take to recover, heal and integrate their lived experiences into a model that highlights their resilience. This is what inspires her in her work as a social worker. 

Medical Health Officer Dr. Carol Fenton We know that representation matters in health care. Women hold a number of key leadership roles at IH including CEO, members of the IH board of directors, and chiefs of staff. In addition, 1,091 of the physicians with privileges at IH health-care facilities are women. But, even with women taking an increasing role in leadership, gender bias can still be an issue. “Before I understood how gender bias can affect referrals to medical specialists, I was definitely guilty of unconsciously perpetuating this practice,” says Dr. Shauna Tsuchiya, a physician at Royal Inland Hospital. Dr. Tsuchiya learned that identifying as female does not automatically equate to practising female gender equality in the workplace.   “I now challenge myself and others to recognize and learn about gender biases that exist in clinical medicine and medical leadership,” she says.  Dr. Shauna Tsuchiya, a physician at Royal Inland Hospital Medical Health Officer Dr. Carol Fenton appreciates being a member of a diverse team that recognizes gender equity as an important determinant of health. Dr. Fenton advocates for family-friendly policies—such as protected bicycling infrastructure, on-site childcare, as well as equal sharing of parental leave and domestic duties in every family. “These types of family-friendly policies and individual choices reduce the burdens and barriers for women to succeed,” she says. In his leadership role with physician engagement, Dr. Harsh Hundal sees a diverse workforce as fundamental to creating a strong and successful team. As the medical profession becomes more diverse, he sees a shift away from approaching solutions with a ‘we know what’s best’ mentality, towards employing a listen, learn, and co-design mindset. “I am grateful to the articulate, thoughtful and authentic female leaders who have moved into leadership positions, thereby bringing inclusive voices to the conversation,” says Dr. Hundal. “The key is creating a community of leaders that supports each other, and accepts and learns from each other that there are different and equally valid ways of leading.”  Interior Health is proud to participate in International Women’s Day on March 8 and help #BreakTheBias. Celebrate women's achievement. Raise awareness against bias. Take action for equality. Learn more on the IWD website

Name: Carmen Gauthier (she/her/hers)Job Title: Patient Registration and Switchboard OperatorYears of Service: 4 yearsWorksite: Elk Valley HospitalCommunity: FernieAncestral Territory: KtunaxaAdvice to live by: If you're happy and you know it, share the love. Going to the hospital can be stressful. That’s why Carmen goes the extra mile to make sure patients coming and leaving always see a friendly and happy face.  Working as a Unit Clerk in Patient Registration, Carmen’s job requires her to be in contact with people every day as she assists with setting up their needed appointments, and provides necessary information. As a naturally bubbly and outgoing person, she takes pride in making people smile and feel comfortable.   Carmen and co-worker     A sparkly unicorn headband to brighten your day “Coming into a hospital is not a great time, but by being friendly and happy you can change that person’s entire day and help them be more calm and less anxious,” she says. Carmen has always wanted to help people and make a difference in their day. Knowing she couldn’t physically become a nurse, she decided on a career in Unit Clerk/Patient Registration. The past four years of Carmen’s career at Interior Health have allowed her to be in contact with the patients daily, and help them with their care, without the need for intensive physical contact.   Just an average day at work Born and raised in Sparwood, B.C., Carmen has always called Elk Valley her home. One of her favourite things about the area is how close-knit the community is, with people always ready to give a helping hand.  “Looking out your window every morning and seeing the mountain is also a very big bonus to living here. In the winters, being in the Elk Valley feels like you are in a Winter Wonderland which is so amazing and relaxing.” Learn more about making a difference in the lives of patients