Name: Nicole Walby (she/her/hers) Job Title: Manager, Clinical OperationsYears of Service: 1Worksite: Royal Inland HospitalCommunity: KamloopsAncestral Territory: SecwepemcAdvice to live by: “Go into the world and do well. But more importantly, go into the world and do good.” - Minor Myers Jr. Nicole has deep roots in nursing. Her favourite part of being a nurse is when she’s present when a patient who has had challenging medical needs gets to go home – watching a client and their family leave knowing that she’s participated in meeting their treatment priorities. “I am inspired by the people that I work with. My cup is filled by seeing patients and families improve their health status through perseverance and education; watching new staff grow and develop; and seasoned staff advocate for best practice.” One of the projects Nicole most enjoyed being part of was working with the porter team to create support for the units. She appreciated how the group found it empowering to see the huge impact they made by taking on some non-nursing duties, and spending time with patients and clients that are lonely or confused. “I am frequently amazed at the level of compassion, dedication and enthusiasm shown by the people I am fortunate to work with.”

Name: Jessica Niemela (she/her/hers)Job Title: AudiologistYears of Service: 3Worksite: Vernon Health UnitCommunity: VernonAncestral Territory: SyilxAdvice to live by: “It’s not just about hearing, it’s about being heard.” – Gael Hannan Going through her own journey with hearing loss and wearing hearing aids provided inspiration for Jessica’s career choice.  “The journey is not always easy and requires a holistic approach that goes beyond wearing hearing devices,” shares Jessica.  The onset of permanent hearing loss can happen after birth, making it important for children to have their hearing screened prior to entering school in order to give them the best chance for academic success and social/emotional development. Jessica finds it most rewarding to work with children and families through their own journeys with hearing loss and to see them become their own self-advocates for accessibility.

Name: Dr. Kathryn Brown (she/her/hers)Job Title: Cardiologist, Regional Director of Cardiac Diagnostics, Medical Director of CardiologyYears of Service: 7Worksite: Kelowna General HospitalCommunity: KelownaAncestral Territory: Syilx OkanaganAdvice to live by: Life is 10 per cent what happens to you, and 90 per cent how you react to it. An adrenaline lover and avid traveller by heart, Kathryn is also a passionate and dedicated physician leader at Interior Health. She started her physician career as a cardiologist, and has now expanded her role to also serve as an administrator and leader as Regional Director of Cardiac Diagnostics and Medical Director of Cardiology. “Being a physician is inherently a privilege,” shares Kathryn. “You care for people at their most vulnerable, frightened, hopeful and every phase in between. To immediately be trusted, confided in, and have people place their bodies, their futures and their fears in your hands is an amazing and humbling honour that I try to live up to every day.” In this work, she helps improve and shape the future of heart health and care in our communities – yet another amazing opportunity she says she is grateful for.

Clint Blok, playing his guitar while camping Name: Clint Blok (he/him/his)Job Title: Community Integration Care CoordinatorYears of Service: 11Worksite: Penticton Urgent and Primary Care CentreCommunity: PentictonAncestral Territory: Syilx OkanaganAdvice to live by: Be the best version of yourself! When Clint began nursing school, he planned on working in the operating room (OR), but it turns out he’s never worked or done a placement there. Eleven years in to his career with Interior Health, Clint is a Registered Nurse (RN) Team Lead (or Community Integration Care Coordinator) at the Penticton Urgent and Primary Care Centre (UPCC). 

Kimmi and Harjit are medical office assistants at Cedar Sage Health & Wellness Centre  Health care is teams, within teams, all working together towards supporting the patient experience.  Our administrative services staff are integral members of clinical service delivery in primary care, home health, public health, and mental health and substance use.

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.