We are IH is a recognition campaign to spotlight Interior Health employees and medical staff – through pictures and stories. Name: Tara Lecavalier (she/her) Job Title: Pharmacy Technician Supervisor Years of Service: 13 years Worksite: East Kootenay Regional Hospital (EKRH) Community: Cranbrook Ancestral Territory: Ktunaxa (Tun-ah-hah)/Kootenay Ktunaxa Favourite Quote: "Be patient. It is a skill that, when learned, is invaluable." -Unknown Tara Lecavalier is a 10th generation French Canadian. She was born and raised in Fernie, B.C., where her family has a long history. "I love being part of projects that help move IH and pharmacy services forward." Tara has worked for Interior Health for 13 years--for the past six years as a pharmacy technician supervisor. As a pharmacy technician in a hospital setting, she has seen tech roles grow and change. "I'm looking forward to gaining more technical knowledge and understanding of our team and IH's processes. There is so much to learn!" In 2018, Tara was asked to join the Next Generation Clinical Leadership Cohort. The year-long, in-person and online course was transformational and thought provoking. "I met an amazing group of ladies and gents and learned so much about the many different nursing roles in IH. I feel pride when I see technicians change roles, move to other locations and take on projects--all to improve their skill set or expand their scope." Tara looks forward to the new build and upgrades to sterile compounding in the EKRH pharmacy. These upgrades will help pharmacy staff produce the best product for patients and create a safer environment for IH staff. Photo captions: Above left: Tara pauses during her work day in the EKRH pharmacy. Above right: Tara and her dog spend their free time walking and hiking. "I am owned by a five-year-old Goldendoodle named Perci; we enjoy spending time together outdoors. The beauty of the East Kootenays is not be taken for granted!" Tara's nomination keeps the We Are IH loop going: “Cathy Hanson has been a great resource for us! She is a regulated pharmacy tech based out of Greenwood, B.C. Over the past year, she has been doing remote order entry for EKRH, Elk Valley Hospital (EVH) and Creston Valley Hospital (CVH). Cathy has also worked for multiple other sites across IH. Her professionalism and work ethic are very strong. For example, when all internet access was dropped in Greenwood for several days due to wildfires, Cathy arranged to have a space at KGH and travelled on her own to complete her shift. I wasn’t aware of any of the challenges until she mentioned it later that day!" - Tara Lecavalier Stay updated with careers at Interior Health Facebook: @IHJobs  |   Instagram: @InteriorHealthBC.Careers  |   LinkedIn: @InteriorHealthAuthority

We are IH is a recognition campaign to spotlight Interior Health employees and medical staff – through pictures and stories. Name: Emily Lindsay (she/her) Job Title: Clinical Dietitian Years of Service: 10 Worksite: Vernon Jubilee Hospital (VJH) Community: Vernon Ancestral Territory: “Syilx” (Saay-ilks) / Okanagan Interior Salish Favourite Quote: "No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted." -Aesop Born and raised in Williams Lake, B.C., Emily Lindsay, is a second-generation health-care professional. Her parents' influence - both having worked in health care - piqued her interest in a health-related career, and dietetics seemed the best choice as it combined her love of food and science. "I enjoy my career as nutrition has such an important role in all aspects of health and dietitian involvement can greatly improve patient outcomes." Emily completed her undergrad at the University of British Columbia and a one-year internship at the University Hospital of Northern British Columbia in Prince George, with placements around the province. After working one year in Fraser Health, Emily moved to Vernon with her husband and has worked with inpatients ever since ("so much for me thinking I was going to have my own cooking show when I graduated!"). Loyal, dedicated and caring, for Emily the patient comes first. Recently, she worked with an elderly patient who was worried whether he could return home with his wife due to his increased care requirements with his percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) tube feed. With extra teaching and support from the dietitian team and nursing staff, plus community follow up, he and his wife are fully independent with his feedings. "It was a true example of teamwork and patient-centered care. It was fulfilling to see him be able to return home." Emily loves cooking and baking, listening to country music and gardening. Her athletic pursuits include downhill skiing, running and chasing after her four- and six-year-old children. She's looking forward to getting back to travelling soon.   Emily's nomination keeps the We Are IH loop going: Dan Meyer. “Our pharmacists are awesome resources when it comes to questions around micro-nutrient dosing, symptom management and medication side effects. We are always so thankful for their expertise. And Dan is just fun to work with!" - Emily Lindsay Stay updated with careers at Interior Health Facebook: Interior Health  |   Instagram: interiorhealthbc |   LinkedIn: Interior Health Authority

We are IH is a recognition campaign to spotlight Interior Health employees and medical staff – through pictures and stories. Name: Tanja Stockmann (she/her) Job Title: Environmental Sustainability Manager Years of Service: 8 Worksite: Kootenay Boundary Area Office, Castlegar Community: Rossland Ancestral Territory: Syilx (Saay-ilks)/Okanagan Interior Salish and Ktunaxa (Tun-ah-hah)/Kootenay Ktunaxa Favourite Quote: "If you look really closely, most overnight successes took a really long time." -Steve Jobs Tanja has sound advice to live by: be patient and have faith in people. This makes sense, given her career in environmental sustainability. She's gets her inspiration from the possibility of change and being part of that change. "I chose this career because even small changes can make a difference and eventually, they all add up to make a real difference. Climate change is expected to change the health of our population, so anything we can do to limit climate change, hopefully will result in less changes to human health." Tanja reflects that one of her proudest moments at Interior Health is working with students from various environmental sustainability programs, who spend four months in their practicum.  I've worked with some incredible students over the years and their energy and enthusiasm always regenerates me, gives me new perspectives, and enables me to learn more and share my experiences. I keep in touch with almost all of them and have watched their careers transition. Knowing I was a small part of their journey gives me a lot of satisfaction. It's a huge privilege to be part of their lives. Tanja hails from Ottawa, Ontario and moved to B.C. in 2013 for her position with Interior Health as Environmental Sustainability Manager. When not at work, she spends time outdoors, travelling by motorcycle, mountain biking, ski touring, alpine and XC skiing and hiking. Living in Rossland gives her very easy access to nature! Tanja riding her BMW 750 GS. Along with the outdoors, Tanja enjoys time with a paint brush in her hand painting scenes of people doing the same activities she loves to do. I love painting - it uses the creative part of my brain, which also needs exercising some days. It's a great way to unwind, get messy and laugh at the results. Tanja's passion for environmental sustainability has been a huge asset for Interior Health, as our organization works to limit the impacts health care has on the environment. Looking ahead, Tanja is looking forward to travel beyond our borders and getting back to being around one another.  Rossland range of the Monashee Mountains on route to a cabin. Tanja's nomination keeps the We Are IH loop going: "I'd like to nominate Lorne Sisley, Corporate Director, Facilities Management and Operations. Lorne has been with IH for more than 10 years. He's held a few different roles during this time and her is an excellent leader." Stay updated with careers at Interior Health Facebook  |   Instagram  |   LinkedIn

We are IH is a recognition campaign to spotlight Interior Health employees and medical staff – through pictures and stories. Name: Marc Fex Job Title: Activity Worker Years of Service: Less than a year Worksite: Various Community: Central Okanagan Ancestral Territory: “Syilx” (Saay-ilks)/Okanagan Interior Salish Favourite Quote: "There is no such thing as failure." Born in Ottawa and raised in Langley, B.C., Marc Fex's inspiration every day is to put a smile on the faces of people he works with. As a fairly new Activity Worker with Interior Health, having started in December 2020 as a greeter at a COVID-19 testing site, Marc's proudest moment so far is joining the IH team. He loves being able to interact with people and make their day. Marc describes himself as enlightened, caring and fun-loving - all attributes that go a long way in his chosen career. He supports seniors that use our centres, including doing activities, helping with meal times, exercising with them and sharing stories.  Marc's beautiful wife, Kathy Something you probably didn't know about Marc? He wrote and recorded a song called " Hey Girl," which aired back in 2002 on the University of British Columbia radio station, CiTR. Marc also started his own YouTube channel about four years ago. "I go to dealerships and do walkaround reviews on ATVs, UTVs, outboard engines, boats, sleds, dirt bikes, etc. My biggest love is ATVing. I wanted to get plugged into the industry a little more and stay in the loop of technology. I'm excited with my channel's growth!"   ATV ride at Clear Creek Hot Springs around Harrison, B.C. Marc's always had a love for the back country, starting shortly after he got his driver's licence. Over the years, off-roading with trucks and jeeps turned into hitting the back country on ATVs. Marc says, "it's an amazing feeling to find a lake you've never seen before. To spend time in a peaceful, quiet place."  The dock at Bouleau Lake Marc's nomination keeps the We Are IH loop going: Kara Cooper. “Kara genuinely cares about her staff. She's easy to approach and always open to finding the best solutions. She's always thinking ahead as to what our needs might be or what might make our work lives easier. I can tell Kara has a huge heart and I'm very thankful for her leadership. She has her team's best interests at heart. I'm honoured to be part of her team! IH has some amazing people on its team! " - Marc Fex Stay updated with careers at Interior Health Facebook  |   Instagram  |   LinkedIn

We are IH is a recognition campaign to spotlight Interior Health employees and medical staff – through pictures and stories. Name: Chioma Akinkugbe Job Title: Clinical Informatics Analyst Years of Service: 2 Worksite: Kelowna Community Health Centre Community: Kelowna Ancestral Territory: “Syilx” (Saay-ilks) / Okanagan Interior Salish Favourite Quote: "God is love."    Chioma's kind demeanour and bright smile radiate in the workplace. In all of her hard work, it's evident that her passion for technology and information management leads to effective hands-on clinical work that helps the lives of so many. Having a strong understanding and patient personality, Chioma's role as a Clinical Informatics Analyst is integral to the patient care team. Knowing each day that she is making a difference brings a sense of gratitude and pride over her.  "As a member of the Employee Voices Advisory Group (EVAG), I've been hugely impacted. I am learning and unlearning so much as a person and an African woman. There is a lot going on in the world and I strongly believe changes can happen from small diverse groups, such as the EVAG committee. I am really looking forward to seeing a more diverse and inclusive Interior Health." -Chioma Akinkugbe, member of the Employee Voices Advisory Group (EVAG) Her sense of adventure and love of travelling came at a young age, inspired by her father who is a professor that teaches in different countries. Granted the opportunity to live in Botswana for over a year, she was mesmerized by the beauty of the country and welcomed by lovely and kind people. Born in Ibadan, Chioma was primarily raised in Lagos, Nigeria. Chioma describes Lagos as a big city, similar to Vancouver/Toronto, and is not for the faint-hearted. Reminiscing on growing up in Lagos, she wouldn't change a thing. She explains that Nigerians are some of the nicest, happiest, and most adaptable people ever. When it comes to good food and celebrations, these are at the top of the list. Encouraged by her Dad to move to Canada for schooling, she relocated to Abbotsford in August of 2012. Working in Miramichi, N.B., for a year, she was called back to the beautiful British Columbia. Calling Kelowna home for over five years, it's safe for Chioma to say this is now her second home. When she isn't working, she spends her time working out, watching horror movies, reading, relaxing or planning her next adventure. Looking forward, Chioma is excited to raise her grandbabies and live a carefree life leading into retirement. Thank you, Chioma, for all that you do!   Chioma's nomination keeps the We Are IH loop going: “Sheena Brown-Bailey is an amazing co-worker and friend. She is the Administrative Assistant at Kelowna Community Health Centre. She is always very helpful!" - Chioma Akinkugbe Stay updated with careers at Interior Health Facebook: Interior Health  |   Instagram: interiorhealthbc |   LinkedIn: Interior Health Authority

We are IH is a recognition campaign to spotlight Interior Health employees and medical staff – through pictures and stories. Name: Allison New Job Title: Community Integrated Care Coordinator Years of Service: 22 Worksite: Shuswap Home Health Services Community: Salmon Arm Ancestral Territory: Secwepemcúl’ecw (Secwépemc) Favourite Quote: "Stay true to yourself and the values you hold most dearly. Integrity matters, but just as importantly, so does love and connection to others. "  -Allison New Allison embarked on a career as a nurse with Interior Health over 22 years ago. With her role as the palliative care coordinator at the Shuswap Home Health Services, she continues to deliver quality care to all patients and families, the same way she would want her loved ones to be treated. A pivotal moment in her career sparked from attending the MOREob program, where teamwork and safety help transform maternity care within the team at Shuswap Lake General Hospital. Furthering her skillset, patient care was positively affected through her team's engagement. She has recently taken on the role of team lead at Shuswap Home Health services and hopes to continue the same work but now it will be for a broader community population. “Bedside nursing and leading nurses for me is all about helping patients and families achieve their goals and wishes while navigating our complex health care system. Nursing is diverse and we see people at very intimate and intense times in their lives. I have been lucky to assist patients needing maternity care, acute/intensive care, and community-based end-of-life care during my career and it has all been very rewarding work.”  Working in the diverse field of nursing, Allison has had the opportunity to work in an array of settings, from maternity care, acute/intensive care and community-based end-of-life care. This rewarding work has driven her to partake in the development of a dedicated palliative nursing team. Over the past 16 months, statistics show that their goal of complementing the community-based palliative care program in the Shuswap is a success. With referral rates and home-based death rates significantly increasing over 30 per cent, this reaffirmed the team of their ongoing hard work. Outside of her nursing career, Allison lives life to the fullest. Describing herself as an energetic introvert, she proudly acknowledges that she has no social media presence; her adventures in the outdoors show that she likes living in the moment. Some of the joys in her life include traveling and exploring B.C. with her husband, either via house boating on the Shuswap or in their camper van. Allison also has a green thumb, tending to her gardening on a small acreage in Tappen, and she's lucky to be able to take in the scenery of her vineyard and Shuswap lake from the patio of her guest cabin.  Another significant part of Allison's life is her Indigenous roots, which she recently began to explore. Thanks to her auntie, she is now a member of the Saik-uz native band located near Vanderhoof and hopes to celebrate and learn more about this part of her heritage in the near future.  Thank you Allison for all that you do! Allison's nomination keeps the We Are IH loop going: “Janice is a phenomenal nurse who works in a Long Term Care facility. Patients and their families always come first for Janice and her position can come under some intense pressures at times! Grace under fire is how I would describe Janice as well as fun-loving and eternally professional. She leads nurses who care for patients with complex dementia care needs, short-term rehab and stabilization needs, and those needing end-of-life care. She is adept at juggling many different needs and does it with a smile and a joke handy. She is a valued member of our Salmon Arm community of health care workers." - Allison New Stay updated with careers at Interior Health Facebook: Interior Health  |   Instagram: interiorhealthbc |   LinkedIn: Interior Health Authority

We are IH is a recognition campaign to spotlight Interior Health employees and medical staff – through pictures and stories. Name: Lisa Zetes-Zanatta Job Title: Executive Director Clinical Operations, Rural Acute and Community, Thompson and Cariboo Regions Years of Service: 18 Worksite: Thompson Cariboo Shuswap Corporate Office Community: Kamloops Ancestral Territory: Secwepemc (She-whep -m) / Shuswap Interior Salish Favourite Quote: "You can either focus on the lemons or enjoy the lemonade." Lisa comes from a diverse background, having been raised in New York then living for three years in rural Nicaragua as an epidemiologist. It was in Nicaragua that she fell in love with the rural context of health care (and learned to speak fluent Spanish). Now, after 20 years, she has found her way back to delivering meaningful health care in diverse, rural communities and supporting the people who live there.  Lisa describes herself as focused, quality driven and ethical. For those who know her, this description is perfect. Lisa is dedicated to delivering person-centred, quality care, which shines through in her every day.  "I love the fact that I can influence the care delivery model and quality focus for a large region. I am lucky that I am able to work in the region that has four different First Nations represented, with 38 different communities in this beautiful, Thompson-Cariboo region. I have come to love the can-do and 'git-er-dun' attitude of the people we serve and staff teams in rural areas." In the last several years, Interior Health has experienced an increase in floods and wildfires, and now a global pandemic - increasing the need for health care.  "The team has stepped up at all levels of the health authority to put our patients first and provide the best care possible in some of the most challenging times I have seen in a long career of health-care delivery. I am extremely proud." While Lisa is grateful for the technology that has provided communication support throughout the pandemic, she is looking forward to seeing her team and colleagues in person. Outside of work, Lisa enjoys knitting, sewing, crafting, decorating and playing with her amazing, black lab, "not-so-puppy" puppy.  Lisa is wife to her amazing husband Robin, a technical director of an animation company, and mom to two wonderful boys. Tristan (20) is attending Thompson Rivers University in the cellular molecular microbiology program. Dylan (14) is in grade 9, a hockey goalie, and is on the ice daily. As a family, they love heading up to their cabin in the Cariboo to have fun in the forest, on the dock, and in the lake. Thank you, Lisa, for your outstanding leadership and all that you do to support rural communities and people in the Thompson Cariboo region. Lisa's nomination keeps the We Are IH loop going: “I would like to nominate Karen Cooper, director of clinical operations for allied health, community & seniors care in the Thompson region. I have never met someone who gives more in her day to her work. She knows more about Interior Health operations than anyone in this region, as she has worked in so many facets of health care. – Lisa Zetes-Zanatta   Stay updated with careers at Interior Health Facebook: @IHJobs  |   Instagram: @InteriorHealthBC.Careers  |   LinkedIn: @InteriorHealthAuthority

We are IH is a recognition campaign to spotlight Interior Health employees and medical staff – through pictures and stories. Name: Rachel Thibault Job Title: Administrative Primary Care Supervisor, Manager Support for Mental Health and Substance Use (MHSU) Years of Service: 18 Worksite: Community Health & Services Centre Community: Kelowna Ancestral Territory: “Syilx” (Saay-ilks) / Okanagan Interior Salish Favourite Quote: "The secret of getting ahead is getting started."  -Mark Twain Rachel's outgoing personality and love of connecting with people drew her to pursue a career in Mental Health and Substance Use (MHSU). Her kind demeanour, bright smile and optimistic outlook help her excel in her role as Administrative Primary Care Supervisor, and Manager Support for MHSU. Over the past 18 years, she expresses her gratitude and pride for working within her community as a team to keep communities safe. Her work with marginalized populations has implemented positive change, especially throughout Urgent Primary Care. Her passion for mental health inspires those around her to advocate for others and give back to the community.  "I'm proud to come to work every day and be a part of teams that are contributing so much to our community, especially during a dual pandemic. From the COVID testing site to the Urgent and Primary Care Centres to Outreach Urban Health and the Rutland Aurora Centre, I see patients come into all of these places and receive excellent quality care from the staff. I've seen people, literally, be brought back to life by co-workers. I watch our staff facing COVID head-on every day, putting themselves at risk to ensure our community is safe. I'm very proud to work alongside these health-care heroes." - Rachel Thibault, Admin - Primary Care Supervisor, Manager Support for Mental Health and Substance Use Rachel shares her love of working within a team that is so inspired to create meaningful change that improves people's lives, especially those in marginalized populations. In the face of a pandemic, Rachel continued to motivate her team to provide mental health and substance use services to those in need. Her determination to help people live their best lives drives her career at Interior Health. Motivated to live life to the fullest, she inspires others to do the same.  Outside of work you can find Rachel reading, cooking, playing music or snuggling with her cat. Rachel's love of music intrigued her to pursue piano as a child, leading her to play at the Royal Conservatory in Grade 8. A lover of learning, she admits to a wealth of knowledge for trivia, especially Harry Potter-themed. After visiting Disneyland nine times, eager for her 10th trip, she has the insider knowledge to win the game. Looking forward to travelling again, Rachel is excited to plan her next getaway. Thank you, Rachel, for all that you do!  Rachel's nomination keeps the We Are IH loop going: "I will nominate Natasha Allen-Mark, MHSU Admin Team Lead. Her dedication and level of caring about the job she does deserve to be recognized!" - Rachel Thibault Stay updated with careers at Interior Health Facebook: @IHJobs  |   Instagram: @InteriorHealthBC.Careers  |   LinkedIn: @InteriorHealthAuthority

We are IH is a recognition campaign to spotlight Interior Health employees and medical staff – through pictures and stories. Name: Kim Dedora Job Title: Manager, Employee Experience Years of Service: 13 Worksite: Polson Annex Community: Vernon Ancestral Territory: “Syilx” (Saay-ilks) / Okanagan Interior Salish Favourite Quote: "Don't judge a book by its cover and always choose kindness when you can!" Kim's outgoing personality and love of connecting with people drew her to pursue a career in Human Resources. Her kind demeanour, bright smile and optimistic outlook help her excel in her role as Manager of Employee Experience at Interior Health. Over the past 13 years, her proudest moment at IH was being promoted to Manager of Employee Experience. This unique opportunity to build a department from scratch included hiring an amazing team of staff who dedicate their energy to make workplaces and experiences at IH the best they can be. Kim shares her gratitude for her talented team and reflects on the incredible work accomplished since the inception of the department.  "Working in Human Resources inspires me every day. It's fascinating because it is all about people; their interests, passions, dynamics, personalities, all driving how they show up to work every day. Working in an organization the size of IH, it's easy to reduce the work to a to-do list. But if you put the person at the center of what you're doing, you can make a huge impact." - Kim Dedora, Manager, Employee Experience Employee Experience Team; Tracy Mooney, Anna Meyers, Kim Dedora, and Elisa Brown. Leading diversity and inclusion initiatives for IH is important to Kim because the work aligns with her personal values. From an early age, she has always had a passion for social justice, equity and fair treatment for all. She would like to express her gratitude to the entire Employee Experience team and the work they have accomplished this past year. Conducting Interior Health’s first-ever Employee Census, refreshing IH’s Diversity and Inclusion Plan, establishing the Employee Voices Advisory Group and developing the Anti-Racism Policy, were personal highlights for her. Kim was blown away that over 10,000 employees participated in the Employee Census, sharing their personal information, so that IH can focus D&I efforts where they are needed most - this was especially humbling. This month, Kim and her team are working to promote awareness campaigns to recognize Pride and National Indigenous Peoples Day (June 21). Being an ally has never been more important. The recent and tragic news of the discovery of 215 children buried at the former Kamloops Residential School has been devastating for all staff, and especially Aboriginal staff. She considers working in Human Resources to be a privilege and an opportunity to support staff on behalf of the organization. She is proud to support the work under the Aboriginal HR Plan, and with the Aboriginal Employment team, accomplish to goals of increased Aboriginal recruitment and retention at IH. Left; Kim and Anna, Orange Shirt Day, 2019. Right; Kim with her children, Orange Shirt Day, 2020. Another proud moment for Kim at Interior Health was being trusted with the responsibility of designing, leading and emceeing the Linking Leaders event, with over 300 IH leaders in attendance. Kim shares how she felt an incredible sense of accomplishment for pushing herself out of her comfort zone trying something new. The success of this high-profile event did not go unnoticed and her involvement continued the following year.  Raised in the Okanagan close with her family, Kim returned from completing her undergrad degree in Victoria to raise her own family in Vernon. Year-round you can find Kim exploring the mountains spending time with family and friends, in the summer weekends at Shuswap Lake or Eagle Bay and up at Silver Star in the winter. An adventurer at heart, she looks forward to travelling with her family and exploring new places. Thank you, Kim, for all that you do! Kim's nomination keeps the We Are IH loop going: "I would like to nominate Jenna Dietz. Not only is Jenna a dedicated and inspiring manager, but she is also friendly, kind and genuinely cares about her staff. Jenna even completed her Master of Business Administration (MBA) while she was on maternity leave! Talk about raising the bar for new moms everywhere! She is just a gem!" - Kim Dedora   Stay updated with careers at Interior Health Facebook: @IHJobs  |   Instagram: @InteriorHealthBC.Careers  |   LinkedIn: @InteriorHealthAuthority