With the holiday season here, many of us will be gathering to celebrate with family and friends. Celebrations often include food and sometimes alcohol. While enjoying wine, beer and spirits can be a pleasurable part of holiday celebrations, drinking too much can have harmful consequences, both short and long-term.

If you or a loved one is ready to get help for alcohol or opioid use disorder, help is now as close as a few keyboard clicks away. Interior Health’s Virtual Addictions Medicine (VAM) Clinic provides rapid access to doctors and nurses with special training in addiction medicine over the phone, from anywhere in the Interior Health region. Since opening three years ago, more than 2,000 people have accessed the clinic’s services. Clients receive effective, proven treatments for substance use to help them improve their health and wellness and live life on their terms.

This week marks the fourth anniversary of the "In Plain Sight: Addressing Indigenous-specific Racism and Discrimination in B.C. Health Care" (In Plain Sight/IPS) report. In response to the In Plain Sight report, Interior Health (IH) has worked to address the recommendations with the support of dedicated staff members and community partners.

Regular testing for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) like syphilis, chlamydia and HIV are an important part of your health-care routine, a healthy sex life and good relationships. Many communicable diseases and infections transmitted by blood show no symptoms and can be passed on. In fact, one in seven people who are HIV-positive don’t know it. When we think of HIV, it’s hard not to remember the 1980s AIDS epidemic when HIV was a “death sentence.” Today, HIV is highly treatable. While it is a chronic infection with no cure, medications help people live a healthy and full life.  Still, some people report that testing for HIV is easier said than done. Besides not being able to easily access services, people can feel embarrassed and self-conscious when seeking HIV and STI testing. Or they are nervous and scared about finding out their test results. Indigenous clients are vulnerable due to stigma and barriers to accessing culturally safe care. We’re out to change that. We sat down with Natalie Howe, a Population Health Program Specialist for Street and Health Outreach, and Kristina Stewart, the team’s regional Indigenous Patient Navigator. We asked them how the Outreach team supports our most vulnerable clients and how they’re working to make HIV testing barrier-free for all in the Interior Health region. 

Name: Kailey Stuart (she/her/hers)Job Title: Computer Technical Support 2, Virtual CareYears of Service: 7Worksite: Royal Inland Hospital (but works remotely)Community: KamloopsAncestral Territory: Secwépemc NationFavourite Quote / Advice to live by: “Be curious, not judgmental.” Described by her colleagues as approachable, people oriented, and a good communicator, Kailey Stuart, computer technical support 2, Virtual Care, at Interior Health (IH), aims to make her colleagues’ lives a little easier through her work in technology. A natural problem-solver with a strong creative streak, Kailey was diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) as an adult. But she doesn’t let that hinder her work or personal projects and, despite its challenges, feels neurodivergence has enriched her life in many ways. “I like to think of ADHD as my superpower,” she says. “Don’t get me wrong, there are a LOT of downsides, but those can be managed. Having ADHD makes me think differently than others, which means I'm often able to find creative solutions to problems. Hyperfocus is also pretty cool when it’s used for good; I can sit down and focus on a task for hours and hours without breaking focus.”

Content warning: This story deals with suicide, abuse and substance use. Jenn is sitting in her Kelowna apartment, her dark hair tied up in a ponytail. Her blue-green eyes shine behind large black glasses, and tattoos peek out from her white t-shirt. She’s bright and animated, and open about her journey in addiction. Jenn recently joined Interior Health’s peer advisory group, and offered to share her story. “The more open and vulnerable I am, the less power addiction has over me,” says Jenn. “I made mistakes and I’m okay with that now. I’ve just always wanted to help people.”

Name: Thandazani Mhlanga (he/him/his)Job Title: Spiritual Health PractitionerYears of Service: 6 months with IH, 13 years in spiritual health Worksite: Cariboo Memorial Hospital (CMH)Community:  Williams LakeAncestral Territory: Swaziland / Zimbabwe; currently resides on Secwépemc and Tŝilhqot’in Nations territoryFavourite Quote / Advice to live by: “One belief, more than any other, is responsible for the slaughter of individuals on the alters of the great historical ideas. It is the belief that those who do not share my faith – or my race or my ideology – do not share my humanity.” Alfonso Borello, The Book of Dignity Thandazani was born in Zimbabwe but his cultural heritage and origins are rooted in Swaziland. The family moved to Canada 17 years ago for a fresh start, with Thandazani first settling in the Interior eight years ago, and returning to the area about two-and-a-half years ago with his wife and children. 

Every 30 minutes, one older adult in B.C. is hospitalized for fall-related injuries. Each day, one older adult dies from a fall in B.C. Falls are the leading cause of injury-related deaths and hospitalizations for adults aged 65 years and older. Falls can lead to fractures (broken hip or broken ankle), head injuries, loss of mobility and independence, long-term disability and reduced quality of life. Falls are not an inevitable part of aging! While the highest percentage of falls are caused by slipping, tripping and stumbling, the good news is that many falls are preventable. Jenna Young is an improvement consultant, Falls and Injury Prevention, with Interior Health (IH). "Falls prevention is a team effort,” she says. “Families, loved ones and your health-care team can work together to identify and address fall risks before they lead to harm.

We’re honoured to share that Interior Health (IH) has been named one of Canada's Top 100 Employers, an annual competition that recognizes companies and organizations that lead their industries in offering exceptional workplaces for their employees. Discover why IH was selected a Top 100 Employer   This award recognizes the innovation, dedication, compassion and commitment of our teams across our region who provide exceptional service to the communities we serve. It also demonstrates our collective efforts to creating a workplace where people want to come to work.