We are IH is a recognition campaign to spotlight Interior Health employees and medical staff – through pictures and stories. Name: Shaylee Peterson Worksite: Royal Inland Hospital, Kamloops Years of Service: 4 Job Title: Clinical Pharmacy Specialist – Cardiology Quote: "If you're not a little uncomfortable, you're not learning. Getting outside your comfort zone is how you grow." Passionate about teaching others and sharing her love of learning, is just one of the many reasons Shaylee excels in her role as a Clinical Pharmacy Specialist in Cardiology at Royal Inland Hospital in Kamloops. Recognized as Preceptor of the Year by Interior Health Pharmacy Residency Program in 2019, Shaylee has influenced the lives of many and brought instrumental value to our organization. You can see the genuine care Shaylee has for her colleagues, students, mentors, friends, and family through her actions, as she routinely goes out of her way to help others. In recognition of Pharmacy Appreciation Month, we want to extend our gratitude to all of the incredible pharmacists at Interior Health. Shining a spotlight on all things pharmacy, the Canadian Society of Hospital Pharmacy has moved from ‘awareness’ to ‘appreciation’ this March to better reflect and celebrate the extraordinary role the hospital pharmacy team plays in health care, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. We want to celebrate and recognize the integral role that our hospital pharmacy teams provide in their continuous delivery of care. They have shown to be flexible, delivered on best practices, and put in countless hours in the face of adversity. Working collaboratively on an interdisciplinary team, their success is founded on mutual respect for each other's expertise. Always striving to improve the quality of care provided by Interior Health, Shaylee takes every opportunity to conduct research and bring new ideas to the table. Her enthusiastic personality helps motivate those around her and with her natural leadership abilities; she makes a positive impact daily. Raised in Kelowna, Shaylee grew up exploring the outdoors and living an active lifestyle. She continues to explore the mountains year-round, whether on foot, on skis, or on her mountain bike. Enthusiastic about yoga she has taken her love to the next level, practicing acro-yoga on the beaches in Kamloops. When she isn't exploring the outdoors she can be found playing the flute alongside the Thompson Valley Orchestra. With the Royal Inland Hospital's expansion project underway, including a new patient care tower and the latest technology integrated throughout the hospital, there are many exciting opportunities ahead.   Shaylee's nomination keeps the We Are IH loop going: Name: Elizabeth (Liz) Edwards, Clinical Pharmacist, Kootenay Lake Hospital "Liz was one of my preceptors and mentors during my residency. She inspired me with the strong relationships and trust she developed with her colleagues and patients. She is an incredible pharmacist who excels in the workplace but also has a great work-life balance. She continues to inspire residents and students every year and shows them that you don’t have to work in a big center to have a huge impact on patient care." - Shaylee Peterson For more information contact EmployeeExperience@InteriorHealth.ca. Stay updated with careers at Interior Health @IHJobs  |   @InteriorHealthBC.Careers  |   @InteriorHealthAuthority

 We are IH is a recognition campaign to spotlight Interior Health employees and medical staff – through pictures and stories.  Name: Dr. Elizabeth Parfitt Worksite: Royal Inland Hospital, Kamloops Years of Service: 7 Job Title: Infectious Diseases Physician and Site Medical Director Quote: "Relationships are the foundation of everything we do - nurture them." When you meet Dr. Parfitt you can't help but smile. Her genuine passion for medicine and helping others radiates through her conversations. Finding her specialty of infectious diseases fascinating and intellectually stimulating, the past year amidst the pandemic she has brought a wealth of knowledge to Interior Health. Stepping up to help navigate new guidelines and protocols throughout the hospital, she also shared her knowledge with her community to keep everyone informed and safe.  Inspired by her team, the patients they serve, and the community they live in, she goes above and beyond her duty as a physician to give back to those around her. Proud to be a part of a team that values patient-centered culture, there are many moments that bring a smile to her face. When nursing staff highlights the humanity in a difficult situation and provides individualized care for unique circumstances, for example, playing recognizable music for a person with dementia and seeing them light up as they quietly listen. It's moments like these that are so memorable. Growing up in British Columbia in both Cranbrook and Vernon, she has always been passionate about exploring the outdoors and being in nature. Sharing the love of adventure with her husband, Dr. Paul Campsall, an ICU doctor at Royal Inland Hospital, and her two kids, they relocated to Kamloops from Calgary in 2015 to raise their family in the tight-knit community of Kamloops.  When Dr. Parfitt isn't working as an infectious disease physician, in her new position as medical director, or volunteering in her community, she finds joy in spending quality time with her family and friends. Taking advantage of the ski resort, Sun Peaks, in Kamloops, she shares her love of skiing with her kids. Although, it is nice to hit the slopes solo too! Dr. Parfitt skiing with her husband, Dr. Campsall, ICU Physician, Royal Inland Hospital Trained classically on the violin, she also loves creating music and jamming with a band. Looking forward to vaccines allowing us to connect with our loved ones again, hosting one of her famous dance parties is high on the list. Passionate about creating a positive impact in her community, she is proud to see the growth of Royal Inland Hospital with the ongoing expansion and medical care in Kamloops.  Thank you, Dr. Parfitt, for all that you do for Interior Health and your community. You are a trailblazer for others and have provided instrumental value to our team, especially as we navigate this pandemic. We appreciate all that you do!  Dr. Parfitt's nomination keeps the We Are IH loop going: Name: Dr. Gupta & Dr. Marek, Royal Inland Hospital  Message: Working alongside these inspirational women I not only have colleagues that I value but friends I get to work with. They both are truly incredible doctors and bring instrumental value to Royal Inland Hospital. Throughout the ongoing pandemic, they have brought a wealth of knowledge and helped navigate these challenging times as a team. Thank you for all that you do! Dr. Parfitt, Dr. Gupta & Dr. Marek, Infectious Disease Physicians, Royal Inland Hospital For more information contact EmployeeExperience@InteriorHealth.ca. 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: Rikki Barden  Worksite: Supervised Consumption Site, Kamloops Years of Service: 3.5 Job Title: Social Worker "You don't know what you don't know, is a quote I find myself saying a lot. I have no problem acknowledging that even though I can be looked at as the all-knowing professional who should have all the answers and cures for people's problems, I do not. And that's ok. It creates an opportunity to learn something new either by myself or with my clients. I think that being honest about the extent of my knowledge can create opportunities for clients to take on the teaching role and be the experts in something, which is invaluable when building and maintaining relationships. ” -Rikki Barden, Social Worker, Kamloops Rikki's optimistic outlook, easy-going personality, and welcoming nature puts smiles on the faces of those around him. His infectious energy seeps through the worksite creating a positive environment and a safe place for people to come together. As a Social Worker for Interior Health at a Safe Consumption Site in Kamloops, Rikki feels grateful to have what he describes as the best job he could ask for. Supported by his incredible coworkers and community, he builds relationships every day that are meaningful and inspirational. Social Workers are an integral part of our health-care system providing essential services. To help us celebrate the essential service of Social Workers, Rikki has graciously shared his journey as a Social Worker at Interior Health. Breaking down barriers and stigma for stereotypical views of drug users, he works to support and educate others. Rikki is the first to lend a helping hand and support someone in need. Feeling a sense of pride and satisfaction guiding people through systems that can be overwhelming, he feels privileged to earn their trust and hear their stories. Seeing the ripple effect of each positive change in someone's life is very rewarding, especially to know that future generations will be positively impacted. One of his proudest moments at Interior Health is one that brings a smile to his face reading the precious words written by a client's mother. "He was very encouraged and deeply grateful to find his illness so accurately represented. The last write-up on the report brought us both to tears. Thank you for being the caring human being that you are, people like you are so rare. So rare that if you were a butterfly we would have you nicely framed." Born and raised in Leigh-On-Sea, Essex, England, his family relocated continents to Kamloops, where he has lived most of his life and where he is currently raising his own family. Outside of work, you can find Rikki with his pride and joy, his partner Krissy, and his little girl, Ripley. They love to spend most of their time together playing outside kayaking in the summer, or inside playing video games and enjoying a movie, preferably one with Hugh Grant in it. He is looking forward to a time where you can be closer than six feet with family and friends, playing softball, frisbee golf, and just simply enjoying the beautiful outdoors together. In his line of social work, he is hopeful for a future where a safe supply is readily available and accessible. Thank you, Rikki, for all that you do! We appreciate you.  Nominate your colleagues to keep the We Are IH loop going: Name: Gaudenza Ramunno, Nurse, Kamloops Message: Guadenza is amazing. She went back to school in her 40s, after raising four kids. She became a nurse and spent many years with public health as a street nurse. She has pioneered many start-up programs and has been the main fixture on the Kamloops Safe Consumption Site for almost five years. She was awarded Kamloops's mentor of the year and is many people's first call when looking to access flexible, primary nursing care. For more information contact EmployeeExperience@InteriorHealth.ca. Stay updated with careers at Interior Health  @IHJobs  |   @InteriorHealthBC.Careers  |   @InteriorHealthAuthority

We are IH is a recognition campaign to spotlight Interior Health employees and medical staff – through pictures and stories. Name: Kara Hannigan Job Title: Human Resources Business Partner Years of Service: 12.5 Worksite: Kiro Wellness Centre Favourite Quote: “For what it’s worth: it’s never too late, or in my case, too early to be whoever you want to be. There’s no time limit, stop whenever you want. You can change or stay the same, there are no rules to this thing. We can make the best or the worst of it. I hope you make the best of it. And I hope you see things that startle you. I hope you feel things you never felt before. I hope you meet people with a different point of view. I hope you live a life you’re proud of. If you find that you’re not, I hope you have the courage to start all over again.” - F. Scott Fitzgerald With an honest heart, a creative mind, and quick wit, Kara brings instrumental value to her role at Interior Health, as a Human Resources Business Partner. Over her 12+ years of service, she has created positive change, brought creative ideas to life, and impacted the health and wellness of many. Passionate about bringing people together and promoting a healthy and safe work environment for the collective, she has been part of the driving force behind Pink Shirt Day at Interior Health, especially at her worksite at Kiro Wellness Centre in Trail. "Pink Shirt Day embodies our commitment to a workplace that is free of discrimination and harassment as outlined in our AU1000 policy. It is everyone’s responsibility both personally and professionally to stand up against harmful behaviour & to recognize the many forms of bullying, address concerns and strategize solutions with kindness." -Kara Hannigan, Human Resource Business Partner, Trail Eager to be part of the change, Kara understands the importance of being actively involved in the work. Her sense of pride comes from being part of the Employee and Labour Relations team that works to educate managers and staff on Interior Health's internal process to proactively equip them with the tools and resources to positively influence the workplace.  Kara's cupcakes from Pink Shirt Day in 2013 This year for Pink Shirt Day, the theme is to "lift each other up" and support programs that encourage healthy self-esteem and teach empathy, compassion, and kindness. Bringing people together is even more important than ever before in light of the pandemic. Although this year Kara's colleagues, friends, and family won't be able to enjoy her delicious cupcakes, they will continue to show their support.Kara's enthusiasm and efforts year and after year to rally the site and the broader team will continue to generate greater participation and impactful change. Born and raised on the ancestral Ktunaxa territory (Trail, BC), Kara was excited to raise her family with her husband, Karl, in the same tight-knit and loving community she was raised in. She was eager to pursue her education and graduated from the Univesity of Lethbridge with a degree in Human Resource Management and Labour Relations. Her education, experience, and enthusiasm has propelled her career forward at Interior Health. While raising her three incredible children, Keltie, Kalen, and Kase, she has achieved amazing feats in both her personal and professional life. Undoubtedly, she has put her heart into her work and it shows. In 2015, BC Health Care Awards recognized her efforts in supporting the placement of differently-abled employees, as part of a Duty-to-Accommodate pilot project.   When Kara isn't working in the office or at home, she is spending time exploring the beautiful outdoors. As an avid cross-fitter and wanna-be runner. During the summer months, you can find her camping with family, exploring scenery with her dog, Leo, and her three children. Living the four-season lifestyle that the Kootenay winters offers, she spends time skiing, both cross-country and downhill, taking in the picturesque views from the mountain top. Passionate about exploring and watching her kids grow and learn, she is most happy exploring alongside them seeing life through their eyes. Thank you for all that you do, Kara! We appreciate you very much. Nominate your colleagues to keep the We Are IH loop going: Name: Tamara Roscoe Message: Tamara is an amazing nurse who will go the extra mile to ensure your experience is a positive one! She is thorough and thoughtful, compassionate and kind. Our very own superhero, here in Trail! Too often we underestimate the power of a smile, kind words, or a listening ear but it comes so naturally to Tamara; she's pure magic! For more information contact EmployeeExperience@InteriorHealth.ca. 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: Dr. Josef Owega Worksite: 100 Mile House Hospital Years of Service: 14 Job Title: Physician, Chief of Staff Quote: "Don't jump to conclusions. We are in this together. Be kind." A true believer in helping others and spreading kindness, Dr. Owega continues to bring these practices into his work at Interior Health as Chief of Staff at 100 Mile House Hospital. As a rural doctor, he thrives in the unpredictability of the emergency department with the opportunity to make a big difference in someone's life when they are at their most vulnerable. With a wealth of knowledge and experience spanning decades, he has continued to lead his team as the Chief of Staff through the ongoing pandemic to support their surrounding communities. Choosing to focus on the silver linings of difficult situations, Dr. Owega is proud of how his community has supported each other in the face of the pandemic. These changes have allowed people to grow and find innovative approaches, including working from home, creating new businesses, and expanding the reach of telehealth. His presence inspires those around him as he encourages everyone to do their best, think about others and protect those that we know and love. CMAT team in Haiti after the earthquake in 2010 Dr. Owega's experience navigating uncertain times was extremely valuable as he stepped up to the position of Chief of Staff to lead his community through the wildfires in 2017. Bringing his community together to support one another was crucial in these life-changing moments. As a physician and member of his community, he continues to play a crucial role in helping improve the lives of those around him. Born in Austria, his family moved to Canada when Dr. Owega was just two years old. Spending his childhood on the West Coast of Canada in the lower mainland, he was eager to choose a career path where he could help others, whether big or small. Inspired by his parents who are both physicians, he moved out east to Ontario for medical school at Queens University. After graduation, he relocated to Alberta for his residency and gained hands-on experience that would inspire him to further pursue rural medicine. His career path led him home to British Columbia where he has spent the past two decades practicing rural medicine for nine years in Elk Valley, five years in McBride, and most recently the past seven years in the Cariboo. Spanning his successful career he has brought his passion for helping others to positively impact the lives of so many. Dr. Owega is known and loved for his down-to-earth personality, kind demeanour, and helping hand in his small community. His open mind and ability to see multiple perspectives adds great value to his integral role in practicing medicine and teaching others. After a long shift in the ER, Dr. Owega switches from his scrubs to his beekeeping suit to help his beloved wife who tends full time to their bee farm. Spending most of his time outside on his own farm, hiking scenic trails, or hitting the slopes, he continues to find ways to connect with nature, his family, and his community. Over the past 30 years, Dr. Owega and his incredible wife have grown their family to include four biological children, one foster son, and their awesome adopted niece who joined their family a few short months after they said I do. His family brings him an incredible amount of pride and joy as they embark on new journeys including the online world of university.   Practicing what he preaches, he does his part in helping his neighbours in more ways than medicine. His vast knowledge and thoughtful approaches to situations allows others to feel supported in their tight-knit community. Dr. Owega shares his message to spread love and kindness throughout his community and asks that we all do the same. We are incredibly lucky to have Dr. Owega at Interior Health continuing to help others through his work.  Thank you for all that you do! Bringing Hawaii to his home to celebrate his birthday with family Nominate your colleagues to keep the We Are IH loop going: Name: Teressa Allwood Message: The manager at 100 Mile House and a nurse extraordinaire. She thinks, gets things done, and took on evacuating the hospital during the fires three years ago. She just amazes me. For more information contact EmployeeExperience@InteriorHealth.ca. 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: Alicia Cardiff Worksite: Dr. Andrew Pavilion, Recreation Department, Summerland Years of Service: 1 Job Title: Recreation Therapy Assistant As a Recreational Therapist, it's more than helping clients strengthen their physical, social and cognitive capabilities. It's about engaging with clients and bringing a smile to their faces. To help us celebrate Recreational Therapist Month, Alicia, a Recreational Therapy Assistant with Dr. Andrew Pavilion in Summerland, shares her journey to finding her passion for helping others through her work. Alicia’s love for fitness ignited at the young age of 16, as she became a certified lifeguard and fitness instructor. Working in city pool facilities in the Okanagan, Vancouver and Nanaimo, Alicia gained first-hand experience in recreation. Inspired to learn more, she pursued a diploma in Recreation Service at Langara College followed by a Bachelor of Recreation in Nanaimo. Alicia was able to utilize her education and experience to pursue her passion of travel, as she taught backcountry safety awareness for BC Search and Rescue throughout the province. When she wasn’t touring BC, she was travelling the world, including a period of her life living in Ireland. Upon accepting the position of Recreation Therapy Coordinator at Sun Point Village in 2006, Alicia brought a wealth of knowledge and experience to long-term care for Baptist Housing. Eager to expand her knowledge, she furthered her education at the University of Calgary in the Community Rehab Program. This highlighted her passion for seniors, including a focus on fall prevention and becoming a certified senior’s fitness instructor and personal trainer. Passionate about engaging with those with dementia in meaningful activation to help minimize their responsive behaviours, Alicia’s next career goal is to become a certified dementia care consultant. This would allow her to offer education to people in long-term care, their family, and staff, helping others provide the best possible care. Alicia took a step back from work to focus on starting her family with her husband in Peachland, where she was also born and raised. Now that her two boys are 5 and 6 years old, Alicia wanted to return to work close to home. Intrigued by the smaller size facility with more one-on-one time, she accepted a casual position at Interior Health with Dr. Andrew Pavilion. The love that Alicia has for her job is admirable, as she notes that if she won the lottery she would still love to continue her work. Grateful to have the opportunity to help others, Alicia brings a positive outlook to her work and life. Located in the Okanagan, Alicia is able to continue to pursue her outdoor lifestyle, with 27 years of snowboarding under her belt, a passion for hiking, training for triathlons and tending to her ever-growing garden. Her energetic personality and sense of humour brings life to everyone around her. Thank you for all that you do! 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: Kim Forsyth Worksite: Kelowna General Hospital Years of Service: 11 Job Title: Clinical Practice Educator for Post-Anesthesia Recovery Room Quote: "Nothing can dim the light that shines from within" - Maya Angelou. As the first face they see as they awaken from surgery, patients are greeted with Kim's warm and welcoming smile. Her kind demeanour puts people at ease as she guides them through the post-anesthesia recovery. “Post-anesthesia recovery is a unique part of a patient’s journey that not many people get to see. When my patients first wake up, it is a sense of relief, happiness, and positivity. It’s the first step of the recovery phase.” - Kim Forsyth, Clinical Practice Leader for PeriAnesthesia Recovery, Kelowna General Hospital To help us celebrate PeriAnesthesia Nurses Week, Kim reminiscences on her journey to finding what she calls her "happy place" in the Post-Anesthesia Recovery room. Working at Kelowna General Hospital for over 11 years, she brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to her role overseeing and assisting with the education of all staff in the Post-Anesthesia Recovery department. Her enthusiastic personality shines through her work as she inspires her team to have fun as they learn with an interactive approach, such as the beloved game of Jeopardy. Kim's proudest moment at Interior Health is advancing to her long-time career aspiration of being a clinical practice educator for PeriAnestheisa Recovery. Young Kim was always lending a helping hand, caring for others and playing nurse with her friends and family. At a young age, she knew that she wanted to pursue her passion for helping and teaching others, but she wasn't quite sure if that was as a teacher or a nurse. During a presentation by a group of nurses on health-care careers at her school in Grade 9, a lightbulb went on and Kim knew that becoming a nurse was the career she wanted to pursue. As her career developed, she found a niche as a clinical practice educator where she could blend her two passions; nursing and teaching. Growing up very close with her family in Kelowna, she wanted to stay in close proximity as she pursued her Bachelor of Science as a Registered Nurse at the University of British Columbia Okanagan Campus.  Eager to put her education into practice, she pursued a career at Interior Health working in the Intensive Care Unit at Kelowna General Hospital as a Critical Care Nurse. Following her curiosity in the vast field of nursing, she felt a sense of excitement as she rolled her patients into the PostAnesthesia recovery room. Her interest was sparked further as her friendly co-worker welcomed Kim with a short tour and explanation of the wonderful world of PostAnesthesia Recovery. With the support of her family, co-workers, and management, she followed her curiosity and found her "happy place" in the PostAnesthesia Recovery room. "Follow your curiosity, learn what you are passionate about, find what inspires you and take the leap! There are so many career opportunities out there and you can find one that you love." - Kim Forsyth, Clinical Practice Leader for PeriAnesthesia Recovery, Kelowna General Hospital As the COVID-19 pandemic brought a lot of change, it affected Kim both personally and professionally. As a leader, she adjusted and guided her team through these changes in the workplace to ensure a safe experience for all. With perseverance and a positive attitude, Kim has helped navigate her team throughout the ongoing pandemic, but she is looking forward to it being over. The pandemic created another shift in her personal life as she found another passion of hers. With new restrictions in place, she was unable to catch up with a friend over lunch, so they decided to find a new way to connect while snowshoeing. Her love of the outdoors grew as she discovered the world of snowshoeing while taking in the scenic views of the Okanagan. When Kim isn’t teaching others, making her patients smile, or snowshoeing on mountain tops, you can find her cozy at home, quilting. Inspired by her mom's hobby as a quilter, they bonded over this creative hobby creating memories and quilts. Kim believes happiness, positivity, and perseverance are essential to everyday life. Kim applies the determined, ambitious, and positive connotation of this quote to all aspects of her life and job: work hard, be kind and always help others along the way. Thank you for sharing your story and celebrating PeriAnestheisa Nurses week with us. The work you do is incredible and we are so grateful! Nominate your colleagues to keep the We Are IH loop going: Name: Christie Cornell Message: Christie was the kind and welcoming nurse working in the PostAnesthesia Recovery room the day I realized how I wanted to advance my career. I credit where I am now to her! For more information contact EmployeeExperience@InteriorHealth.ca. 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: Dr. Johann Schreve Worksite: Vernon Jubilee Hospital, Okanagan / Sylix Nation Years of Service: 5 Job Title: Hospitalist Quote: "Seize the day, carpe diem" Dr. Schreve's positive outlook on life, innovative mindset, curiosity, and passion to fix the world started at a young age. His all-encompassing adoration to help others was inspired by his father, an accomplished and respected medical doctor. Growing up in a small farm community in Ceres, South Africa, it was instilled in Dr. Schreve to support and take care of your community. He has put helping others at the forefront of his life and throughout his career. With a genuine interest in people and understanding their problems, he takes the time to listen to his patients and provide valuable guidance that allows them to positively change their life. Originally passionate about psychology, Dr. Schreve integrated his passion for mental health into his practice as a medical doctor. This personable perspective has lead to many innovative advances in his work and the communities he has served. Passionate about technology, efficient tools, and processes, Dr. Schreve's creative and divergent thought methods have led to many technological advances in the medical field. As an integral member of the Patient Quality Improvement (PQI) Initiative, he combines his love of helping people and technology to streamline electronic documentation for medical records. This initiative is creating a standard for medical professionals to lead quality improvement projects and enhances the delivery of quality patient care. One of his proudest moments at Interior Health was being recognized for thinking differently by the Chief Information Medical Officer and Vice President, Mike Ertel, for his innovative approach to documenting patient information enhancing patient care. Born in Windhoek, Namibia, his family relocated to Ceres, South Africa, and he was raised in a tight-knit community, where everyone knew each other. His great love story began in Grade 1 when he met the love of his life. Their friendship evolved over the years into a romance at the age of 17. Fast forward to today, they have built a life of their own and extended their family to four kids under the age of 12. After moving his family to Canada in 2013, first to Chetwynd, B.C., followed by Williams Lake, they have now put down roots in Vernon, where they are close to their family. Living in Vernon in the Okanagan fondly reminds him of Stellenbosch, South Africa, also located in wine country, where the people are enthusiastic about leading a fulfilling life. As a nature lover, he recently has taken up cross-country skiing, where the whole family can explore the beautiful outdoors together. He is looking forward to taking his above-average golf game to the course where he can connect with his friends and colleagues. Understanding the importance of physical activity, getting out in nature, and taking time for yourself, he practices what he preaches. The four-season lifestyle in the Okanagan allows him the opportunity for work-life balance and a place where his children are receiving exceptional education. In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, Dr. Schreve is reminded of his time responding to the HIV/TB pandemic in South Africa. He is proud to be a part of Interior Health, which he believes is doing a remarkable job managing public health and keeping hospitals open to the public. The pandemic has created a shift in care to a virtual approach, where it has created ease of access to care for his patients. The reach for care has extended to outlying communities allowing him to effectively reach and help more people. A positive outcome of the pandemic is moving virtual care forward and inspiring Dr. Schreve to embark on a new journey. Joined by the University of British Columbia community of Individualized Personalized Therapeutic Nutrition, he is working towards diabetes prevention, alongside approximately 3,000 international members who are communicating on the reversal of diabetes. His own lifestyle practice Afya Wellness launches in April of this year to bring an interactive approach to internal medicine encouraging patients to lead a healthy lifestyle for diabetes management or reversal. In alignment with his inspiration to become a medical doctor, this new venture allows him to work within his passion of helping people change their lifestyles. Dr. Schreve's funny, kind and caring personality has a positive impact on both his patients and colleagues at Vernon Jubilee Hospital and across Interior Health. We are incredibly fortunate to have the experience, expertise and dedication of Dr. Schreve on our team, providing exceptional patient care. Thank you for all that you do for our communities, Dr. Schreve! Nominate your colleagues to keep the We Are IH loop going: Name: Dr. Travis Allen Message:  "Dr. Travis Allen does a lot for our service. He is a visionary, a true leader, who brings people together. He inspired me to move to Vernon. He creates a positive culture in the hospital." For more information contact EmployeeExperience@InteriorHealth.ca.

We are IH is a recognition campaign to spotlight Interior Health employees and medical staff – through pictures and stories.  Name: Cindy Crawford Worksite: Trinity Care Centre, Penticton, Okanagan / Sylix Nation Years of Service: 7 Job Title: Nursing Assistant Quote: "We all have things going on in life - be kind." Passionate, ambitious, and humorous perfectly describe Cindy. Living by her motto “life is too short to not enjoy as much of it as you can,” Cindy appreciates travelling and adores time spent with her adorable dog, Malachi (Mal-a-k-eye). Longing for an occupation full of excitement, service, and fulfilment, Cindy decided to begin a new career endeavour in health care. She began as a support staff worker at Fraser Health, working within housekeeping and dietary. Eager to advance her career and implement necessary changes for patients, Cindy was determined to go back to school to become a Nursing Assistant. In 2008, Cindy relocated to Penticton to begin her education as a Health Care Aide at Sprott Shaw College. While attending school, Cindy worked within the Housekeeping department at the Penticton Regional Hospital (PRH). She was overjoyed when she was accepted into the Activity Assistant program last year at the College of the Rockies, graduating this year. Her admirable work ethic and compassionate nature has been prominent throughout her entire career. From day one, Cindy’s daily objective has remained the same: “I show up to work to seek the ability to make someone smile and laugh for another day.” Her co-workers appreciate her positive outlook and fun attitude that brings so much joy to the workplace. A monumental career moment for Cindy was when she was offered the opportunity to become a facilitator for Provincial Violence Prevention. Shortly after, she received training to facilitate the Safe Patient Handling course. Cindy proudly states, “it is an honour to be able to assist my co-workers to be safe,” a true testament to her genuine character. Cindy has held the position as co-chair on the Joint Occupational Health and Safety Committee for six years at Trinity Care Centre and takes great pride in being part of the team that keeps our workplace safe. Cindy has been taking care of her father since her mother passed away, and finds pleasure in providing a safe space for each one of our patients. Truly a selfless, considerate and generous individual. Thank you for all that you do Cindy, IH and Malachi appreciate you, so much! Cindy with co-worker, Cheri at Trinity Care Centre in Penticton Nominate your colleagues to keep the We Are IH loop going: Name: Cheri Scroggi Message: "She is very kind and cares, not only about her residents but also her co-workers." For more information, contact EmployeeExperience@InteriorHealth.ca.