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.

We are IH is a recognition campaign to spotlight Interior Health employees and medical staff – through pictures and stories.  Name: Doris Charest Worksite: East Kootenays/Kootenay Boundary Staffing Service Centre, Ktunaxa (Tun-ah-hah) / Kootenay Ktunaxa Years of Service: 9.5 Job Title: Portfolio Clerk The holiday season is like no other at the Charest family home. Doris Charest, Interior Health’s (IH) endearing Portfolio Clerk, handcrafts many of the festive ornaments that make up her Christmas décor. It’s no secret that she has quite the artistic side; apart from enjoying decorative tole painting, Doris has also been cutting out wooden Christmas decoration pieces for over 15 years. Apart from her crafty nature, Doris loves the outdoors where she can be found immersing herself in a book next to a cozy campfire. True to the nature of anyone born and raised in British Columbia’s beautiful Cranbrook city, she enjoys the many lakes, campgrounds and mountains that surround her. In the future, she looks forward to having grandchildren, helping raise them in the very community she and her children grew up in. Till then, she gives her unconditional love to her grand puppy, Izzie, an affectionate SPCA rescue. Over nine years ago, Doris found herself at a cross-roads when she received a recommendation from a fellow Interior Health employee and friend; she applied knowing it would be a great place to work. Starting her career at IH off with a casual role at reception and Short Call desk, Doris was soon promoted to a full-time position as a Portfolio Clerk. She continues working in this role today at the Staffing Service Centre in East Kootenay/Kootenay Boundary. Her kind and helpful demeanour does not go unnoticed as she helps her team solve problems together. While the holidays are undoubtedly different this year, the lights at the Charest home continue to shine on as brightly as ever. Thanks for everything you do for Interior Health, Doris! We wish you many more successful years. Nominate your colleagues to keep the We Are IH loop going: Name: Ceilidh Stump  Message: She is wonderful person who is a great listener and very helpful and always there when you need her.  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: Brianna Hawkins Worksite: Rocky Mountain Lodge, Ktunaxa (Tun-ah-hah) / Kootenay Ktunaxa Years of Service: 6 Job Title: Registered Dietitian Growing up in Kitimat, a small town in northern British Columbia, Brianna was motivated to pursue a career in health care from a young age. She found herself immersed in health care throughout her childhood, encouraged by her father's love for his career as a Lab Tech. Through her love of cooking, nutrition, and sciences, Brianna found her niche as a dietitian. Eager for new experiences and furthering her education, Brianna spread her wings to another province and enrolled in the Registered Dietitian program at the University of Alberta. Inspired by her preceptors to relocate outside of Calgary after completing her internship in 2014, Brianna knew she wanted to move back to beautiful British Columbia. With only three suitcases in tow, she moved to Cranbrook. The plan was to only stay a year, but during that time, the Kootenays captured her heart and she is here to stay, luckily for us! In her current role as a Dietitian at Rocky Mountain Lodge, Brianna loves working in both renal and acute care, making each day different and exciting. As part of the amazing renal team, she enjoys working with patients over months, or even years to experience real change and possibly delay dialysis. It’s moments like these that help her realize she is making a difference in the lives of others. “I love the challenge of working in acute care, using a different set of skills and the fact every day is so different. I have an amazing dietitian co-worker who I learn from every day” - Brianna Hawkins A dietitian's major role is to help patients adapt to the dialysis diet so they can enjoy some of their favourite foods while still being aware of dietary recommendations. The dialysis diet can be restrictive and very challenging for patients to navigate. Having the support of a knowledgeable dietitian is crucial to help manage a chronic condition. “I love being able to talk to patients about food and seeing the joy in their eyes when they can have their favourite Christmas dish or enjoy something special for their birthday.” - Brianna Hawkins A traveler at heart, Brianna is patiently waiting until she can explore new places again. First stop, Germany, followed by Peru and then Australia. In the meantime, she will continue to dream of planning her wedding in Hawaii! Luckily during these times, Brianna can continue to be out hiking, running, and exploring the beautiful outdoors. As an avid chef, she spends a lot of time cooking delicious meals and trying new recipes. Thank you for all that you do, Brianna! Nominate your colleagues to keep the We Are IH loop going: Name: Georgi Winger  Message: As a Chronic Kidney Disease Nurse, she does an amazing job keeping track of all our patients, managing an ever-increasing load, and is always there is talk! I couldn’t do my job without her! 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: Lauren Hristoski Worksite: Kelowna Community Health Centre  Years of Service: 5 Job Title: Manager of Career Marketing, Human Resources Lauren radiates the workplace with positive energy as her welcoming demeanour makes people feel supported. As a hard worker who is determined to make impactful change, she has paved her own career path at Interior Health. Working in Human Resources for many years, Lauren has been given the opportunity to grow career marketing initiatives through a newly developed department, Career Marketing. Lauren brings crucial knowledge of Interior Health and career marketing to her new role that provides instrumental value to the organization. Over the past year, the team has grown significantly to provide marketing support to employee and medical staff recruitment, employee experience, and recently the pandemic response. As an adaptable and innovative individual, Lauren has led work throughout the pandemic to ensure her team has had a smooth transition to a virtual work environment. Lauren’s love of people and passion for uplifting people has supported the growth of employee initiatives including We Are IH. Her commitment to sharing authentic stories, promoting Interior Health as an employer, and showcasing diversity and inclusion has significantly assisted in sharing our brand story. With Lauren’s out-of-the-box creative thinking, she showcased our award of becoming a B.C. Top 100 Employer by creating a video of our people to celebrate our story. Lauren feels so fortunate to be part of supportive teams that work collaboratively together to achieve their goals. Born in Edmonton, Lauren grew up very close with her family including her parents, sister, and brother. Graduating from French immersion high school with a bilingual degree, she furthered her passion for health by graduating with a Bachelor of Kinesiology from the University of Calgary. After living most of her life in Calgary, Lauren relocated her family to the Okanagan to live an exciting and active four-season lifestyle. In the summer you can find Lauren and her family standup paddleboarding, hiking, biking, playing games, and exploring all there is to offer in beautiful British Columbia. Over the winter season, she spends her time with her family up at Big White hitting the slopes and sipping on hot cocoa. Lauren’s two little girls also possess her bright smile, kind demeanour, intelligence, and adventurous spirit. As food lovers, her kids are often sous chefs in the kitchen and share Lauren’s passion for experiencing delicious food and cuisines. Lauren is looking forward to travelling again and being able to experience more of the world through her daughters' eyes. Check back each Friday for the next We Are IH feature. For more information contact EmployeeExperience@InteriorHealth.ca. Lauren's nomination of Jenn Goodwin keeps the We Are IH loop going: As a leader in the organization, Jenn is always looking for opportunities to grow and support teams. She always has a smile on her face walking down the hall and takes time to say "Hello" and ask simple questions that brightens your day.  

We are IH is a recognition campaign to spotlight Interior Health employees and medical staff – through pictures and stories.  Name: Hilary Beck Worksite: Polson Annex, Vernon, B.C. Years of Service: 1 Job Title: Occupational Health Nurse As an Occupational Health Nurse at Interior Health, Hilary Beck brings to the unique position a wealth of knowledge from her two degrees, two certifications and her extensive work experience of over 20 years in the health field. Born in Vernon on the Syilx Nation/Okanagan territory, Hilary has recently returned home closer to her family in Vernon after living in Calgary, Alta., for the past 20 years. We are so fortunate that Hilary has chosen Interior Health to further her career. With a desire to start a career where she could make a difference in people's lives, Hilary moved to Vancouver and enrolled in her first degree, a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology at Simon Fraser University. Since graduating in 1997, Hilary’s passion for continuous learning has led her to become a perpetual student. As someone who loves school and is always looking for a new challenge, she enrolled in her Masters of Nursing at Athabasca University, where she will graduate in 2022 with even more knowledge to open doors and opportunities at Interior Health. Hilary’s passion to further her education continued as she received her Advanced Certificate in Athletic Therapy from Mount Royal University in 2000. She landed a job as an athletic therapist with the Men's National Disabled Standing and Sitting Volleyball teams, where she was able to see the world as she worked and travelled with them for 10 years. A highlight was the Standing Team winning the World Championships and the World Cup for three consecutive years from 2004-2006. In 2011, Hilary was granted the opportunity to be part of the delegation that attended the Para Pan Am Games in Guadalajara, working with para athletes from other sports. These were truly amazing experiences that Hilary cherishes. When she wasn’t tending to the team or working her full time jobs, she was likely found at the hockey arena, working as an athletic therapist for junior hockey in Alberta. As a former athlete in many sports, primarily volleyball and soccer, Hilary was able to relate to her clients and provide a beneficial perspective. Her own injuries forced her to retire from those activities as she had a high tibial osteotomy. She now spends her time cycling, fishing or at her summer cabin on Okanagan Lake. Working one-on-one helping athletes inspired Hilary to further her education with an additional degree in nursing, where she could apply her education to helping others even more. After graduating from the University of Calgary with her Bachelor of Nursing in 2011, she decided to add another certification to her resume. Shortly thereafter, she obtained her Certificate in Occupational Health Nursing from Grant MacEwan University in 2015. The combination of her exceptional work experience and advanced education has played a vital role in her successful career where she has bettered the lives of so many. Hilary Beck's graduation from University of Calgary As a Vancouver Canucks fan, it’s been a bit challenging living in Calgary for the past 20 years surrounded by Calgary Flames fans. Hilary is grateful to be back in Vernon closer to her family, especially her two nieces and of course her fellow Canucks fans. When it’s safe to do so, Hilary is excited to attend sporting events, live concerts and travel somewhere with palm trees! Thank you for all that you do, Hilary, we appreciate you very much! Arizona, U.S.A. Check back each Friday for the next We Are IH feature. For more information contact EmployeeExperience@InteriorHealth.ca. Hilary's nomination of Carla Davies keeps the We Are IH loop going: When I first started Carla was super helpful and very welcoming, and she has supported my transition into this role in a way, that I can not express my thanks to her enough. Carla was recently promoted to WHS Safety Advisor from a Service Partner Role, which also shows the great work she does.

We are IH is a recognition campaign to spotlight Interior Health employees and medical staff – through pictures and stories.  Name: Ryan Lazauskas Worksite: Kelowna Community Health Centre  Years of Service: 3  Job Title: Employee Relations Consultant An adventurer at heart, growing up in the beautiful community of Kelowna in the Okanagan, Ryan has explored most trails on his road bike. His passion for exploring led him to travel abroad where he backpacked his way through over a dozen countries throughout Western Europe before starting his career. Ryan traveling abroad in London, England. Motivated to grow professionally, he embarked on his Bachelor of Business Administration with a major in Human Resources Management from Okanagan College at the Kelowna campus, where he learned valuable skills that have propelled his career forward. His work experience with non-profits and the private sector gave him the knowledge, skill set, and experience to land a job at Interior Health as a Service Partner for the Benefits Department.   Over the past three years at Interior Health, Ryan is proud of the way he has been able to learn, grow, and adapt continuously. As a motivated employee, Ryan has been rewarded for his hard work with multiple new positions. He was awarded a new position in Recruitment and then he gained experience with Labour Relations, allowing him the opportunity to take on the role as a Labour Relations Service Partner. His love for helping others shines through in his work, granting him the recent role as an Employee Relations Consultant. His passion for serving others has helped him further exceed at Interior Health. As a results-orientated individual, Ryan is focused on getting the job done in the best way possible while providing excellent service. Ryan’s hard work continued to pay off in his personal life, as he recently purchased his first home in the Central Okanagan with his girlfriend. They expanded their family with their French Bulldog, Frankie, who has quickly become the centre of their world as they adventure the outdoors together. Ryan's French Bulldog, Frankie Ryan's girlfriend and French Bulldog This year may have travel restrictions, but when it is safe Ryan will continue his goal of traveling across the incredible province of British Columbia to further explore the outdoors of what B.C. has to offer! His love for his friends and family brings him so much joy, so he is looking forward to spending more quality time with his loved ones once it’s safe to do so. A great perk of living in the beautiful Okanagan is having Big White close by! Ryan plans to spend lots of time on the slopes this winter season exploring the mountains. Thank you for all that you do, Ryan! We appreciate you very much.   Ryan Lazauskas in Switzerland Check back each Friday for the next We Are IH feature. For more information contact EmployeeExperience@InteriorHealth.ca. Ryan's nomination of Katherine Semenoff keeps the We Are IH loop going: Katherine has been an amazing colleague and big support for our team. She has been with Interior Health a long time. She is dedicated, driven and always looking to help you no matter what.

We are IH is a recognition campaign to spotlight Interior Health employees and medical staff – through pictures and stories.  To help us celebrate National Nursing Students Week, we met with Mariah Perry, a recent 2019 graduate from the Practical Nursing Program at Okanagan College. As part of the incredible team at Kelowna General Hospital, Mariah stands out for her big heart, her desire to spread kindness, and her positive attitude. At first, Mariah may be shy but before you know it she is filling the room with her radiating energy! Inspired by her desire to make a difference in the lives of others by working closely with them, she pursued a rewarding career as a Licensed Practical Nurse. As she was starting her career, the COVID-19 pandemic began, creating completely new challenges for everyone to navigate. We are so proud to see all of our health-care heroes rise to the occasion and continue to provide the best possible care amidst the pandemic. Mariah Perry in PPE Mariah reflects on the growth she has experienced throughout the pandemic. “I feel for the patients in the hospital, especially with visitor restrictions, but it has been something special to me, as I have had the opportunity to be there for my patients. It’s been inspiring to see us come together to get through this pandemic. Everyone motivates me, and it shows how we are stronger together and we’re not alone.” In the dynamic field of nursing, some days are better than others, but at the end of the day, you can end your shift with a sense of pride. Mariah shares one of her proudest moments at IH as she comforted a palliative patient. They shared meaningful conversation about life and he told her she was the nicest nurse he has ever had, really touching Mariah's heart. It's moments like these that make it all worth it.  “I love nursing because there is so much room to grow in this career. Right now, I do really love bedside nursing and the medical floors I work on, but I have the option to expand my knowledge in so many ways when I want to and I think that's amazing!”  Mariah Perry and her Grandfather From a young age, her family has been extremely influential in her life. Mariah’s grandfather ingrained in her his favourite quote as a child: “Always forward, never back.” These words have helped propel her forward during tough times and encourage her to persevere towards a solution. She fondly remembers her grandfather’s quote regularly to quickly move from worry to action forward. Young Mariah and her sibling Surrounded by the natural beauty of the four seasons, Mariah feels extremely grateful to be born and raised in Kelowna, her forever home. Growing up as “Mariah Perry” she was surprisingly asked if she was named after the famous, Mariah Carey, and also blessed with her vocals. Despite a short stint in singing lessons, Mariah has concluded it did not help her singing abilities and no one wants to hear her sing. You can find Mariah out shooting hoops playing basketball with her friends or taking on a DIY craft. Mariah knows how important self-care is, especially during these times in her career, so makes time to incorporate physical activity into her crafts to keep her mind in the right place. The pandemic has shown us what's important and not to take anything for granted. Mariah looks forward to a time where hugs can be given out freely, quality time can be spent with family and friends, and all of the added stress can be removed from everyone’s life. Thank you for all that you do, Mariah! You have a very successful career ahead of you and we are honoured to have you at Interior Health.    Check back each Friday for the next We are IH feature. For more information contact EmployeeExperience@InteriorHealth.ca. Mariah's nomination of Mary Lynn Pallett keeps the We Are IH loop going: Mary is an LPN on 6 West and she is the absolute best! Her nickname is Mamma Lynn, she has such a big heart and really looks out for everyone on the unit!  

We Are IH is a new recognition campaign to spotlight our people in a real way – through pictures and stories that allow their authenticity to shine through! Every week Interior Health employees or medical staff will be featured through our News@IH website and our weekly In the Loop Roundup email newsletter.  You can feel the passion and positivity radiate from Tannis when she is around. Her kind demeanour, caring heart, passion for helping others and her growth mindset play a crucial role in her successful career. As the Manager of the Primary Care Network in Central Okanagan at CHCS over the past two years, she is proud to be a part of IH. She continues to be inspired to work in Primary Care as it affords her the opportunity to participate in improving the health of all through a preventative, patient-centered, team-based approach. As a lifelong learner, she is always looking for new opportunities to expand her educational background. Her current exploration is in reviewing educational programs for coaching. The proudest moments of Tannis’ career have been over the past two years at IH being able to be a part of many incredible programs and projects including Public Health, Primary Care, Urgent and Primary Care Centres, and COVID-19 responses. Success within these programs and projects has come from being able to work with many dedicated IH staff and enabling teams. She is proud to be able to support and work with such amazing and passionate individuals. She looks forward to continued work with great people and teams in Interior Health and being a part of the ever-changing health-care landscape. Original art by Tannis Andersen Family is extremely important to Tannis and her relationships are a reflection of that. Born in Red Deer, Alta., her family soon moved to a small rural community, Gem, where she grew up surrounded by her family. After having a family of her own, two years ago they moved to the Okanagan to plant roots and live in such a beautiful and amazing place where they can enjoy many family activities year-round. An explorer at heart, she continues to explore unknown worlds through reading and painting. These hobbies allow her an escape and gain creative insight. Thank you for all that you do, Tannis! We are so happy you and your family have chosen the Okanagan and IH to live in. Tannis and her family.   Check back each Friday for the next We Are IH feature. For more information contact EmployeeExperience@InteriorHealth.ca. Tannis's nomination of Rachel Thibault keeps the We Are IH loop going: Health Unit Aide at Outreach Urban Health Rachel goes above and beyond in her role every day to help support the clinic, staff, and patients. She really is the fabric that holds Outreach Urban Health together. If you need anything completed or need to know anything about the clinic Rachel is the first person everyone turns to and relies on. All you have to do is ask and she completes the work efficiently and compassionately.

We Are IH is a new recognition campaign to spotlight our people in a real way – through pictures and stories that allow their authenticity to shine through! Every week Interior Health employees or medical staff will be featured through our News@IH website and our weekly In the Loop Roundup email newsletter.  To help us celebrate National Respiratory Week, we are excited to feature Jacqueline Turvey, RRT, CRE, CTE, and the Coordinator at Integrated Primary and Community Care Program/Primary Care Respiratory Therapist at Interior Health in Kamloops for the past 13 years. Over her career, she has made an incredible impact working within her community of Kamloops and supporting the Primary Care offices in a variety of cases. As an educator, every day at work she pursues her passion for helping others in their homes, physician offices, or in her own office. One of her most satisfying projects was an Emergency Preparedness Class (specifically relating to forest fires) for her clients. The feedback was overwhelmingly positive, as they shared how they felt safer and more aware of what they can do to help their breathing stay in control during forest fires. It’s moments like these that bring everyone together and help us support each other through tough times. “I love my job because it offers so much variety. Some days I feel like a detective trying to put together pieces of information to figure out how to best help one of my clients. There is so much job satisfaction in supporting a client and knowing that it is the support/information that we provided that is the thing that helps them feel better or improve their quality of life.” One of her proudest moments at IH was being recognized by Chris Mazurkewich, the past president and CEO, of Interior Health in September 2018 for her Emergency Preparedness work with her clients. Thank you for your phenomenal contribution, Jacqueline! Looking back through her career, Jacqueline reminiscences on opportunities she was able to experience as an RT. A highlight was participating as a volunteer for four years in an international project to Guyana called Global Access to Spirometry Project (GASP) led by Dr. Bob Levy, Respirologist, and Carmen Rempel, RRT, CRE, both from VCH. Working in such a collaborative environment, Jacqueline continues to inspire others and be inspired by the knowledge and professionalism of the different clinicians and Primary Care providers that she works alongside. Her clients continue to inspire her in her purpose to help people be their healthiest and best self, one breath at a time. Family is very important to Jacqueline. She is currently raising her family in her hometown of the Secwépemc / Kamloops territory balancing her professional and personal life. As a mother, wife, and person of First Nations heritage, she values having fun, laughing, and creating memories with her loved ones. In her downtime Jacqueline likes to express her creative side while playing the ukulele, making jewelry, painting, knitting/crocheting, gardening, and cooking (especially fresh from her own garden!). Jacqueline and her team, among our other frontline workers, have been working exceptionally hard during the COVID-19 pandemic and we are so proud of their tenancy, innovation, and contribution to keeping us safe. Thank you so much for all that you do, Jacqueline! Nominate a colleague or join in yourself with the We Are IH submission form. Check back each Friday for the next We Are IH feature. For more information contact EmployeeExperience@InteriorHealth.ca. Jacqueline's nomination of Lisa Mullen keeps the We Are IH loop going: Lisa has been with IH for over 15 years at the same site (KPCC) which is amazing. She is a talented baker and when we used to have staff parties everyone would look forward to her treats. Clinicians, Primary Care Providers, and other clerical staff look to her for her expertise and organization skills. She provides leadership and stability at our site and she models the values that create a wonderful workplace culture. Her wonderful personality, kind ways and her calm presence are lovely to be around. Congratulations Lisa on your 15-year long-term service pin at IH! "I would like to extend our appreciation for the amazing work you do. Your diligence, self-motivation, leadership, and dedications are an inspiration to the team and an important role in the clinic!" - Jodie Helm, Lisa's Manager