Smoky skies from wildfires can trigger anxiety or worry in children and youth, especially amidst evacuation alerts or orders. It can be hard to know how to communicate wildfire or evacuation information to children in a way that doesn’t cause them concern. 

In 2020, Royal Inland Hospital in Kamloops began a three-year project to recover anesthetic gas from its operating rooms. Anesthetic gases like desflurane are far more potent than carbon dioxide. Prior to the project, the waste anesthetic gases were vented outside the hospital, leaving a significant environmental footprint. Today, all of Royal Inland’s operating rooms use anesthetic gas recovery technology. In early 2024, the technology was expanded to Vernon Jubilee Hospital and Kelowna General Hospital with plans for expansion to other IH sites. From implementing digital solutions that replace paper, to reducing the use of single-use plastics, and supporting communities in adapting to climate change, we’re finding new and innovative ways to create a healthy, equitable and resilient health-care system.

Name: Seija Emond (she/her/hers)Job Title: Mental Health and Substance Use (MHSU) team leadYears of Service: 20Worksite: Kelowna MHSUCommunity: KelownaAncestral Territory: Syilx Seija is a single mom who values fun and caring and learning from a place of curiosity and humility. Born in Germany and raised in 100 Mile House, Zaire (now the Democratic Republic of Congo) and Enderby, Seija grew up playing music and singing with her family. They even did professional puppetry together. Her family and she still get together for jam sessions from time to time. “We are not especially good at it but those are the best times ever!” she laughs Inspired by her mom’s career as a licensed practical nurse (LPN), Seija became an LPN in 2003 and started her career at Kelowna General Hospital and Royal Inland Hospital.

The best way to protect your health from poor air quality and wildfire smoke is to reduce your exposure and seek cleaner air. Stay indoors: Reduce time spent outdoors to protect your health. Reduce outdoor physical activity: Refer to the Air Quality Health Index and decrease physical exertion outdoors in when air quality is poor Consider wearing a well fitted respirator if you cannot access cleaner air: Use a well fitted respirator (e.g., N95, KN95) properly to reduce exposure to particulate matter in smoke. Activate medical management action plans: Ensure that your plan to self-manage any chronic diseases (e.g., respiratory and cardiovascular diseases) are in place and up to date, and that adequate rescue medications are available. Use a home clean air shelter: Spend time in a room in your home with a portable air cleaner with HEPA filtration to reduce smoke exposure.

Foundations in the Interior region raise funds that support medical equipment, care needs, and innovative local initiatives in their communities. Each organization includes respected community leaders, volunteers and staff who are passionate about meeting the needs of patients and families in Interior Health. Thanks to the generosity of their supporters, we all have a stronger health system.  In this next story of our series on the incredible health-care and hospital foundations throughout our region, we interviewed Tammy Tugnum, president, Cariboo Memorial Hospital Foundation.

Name: Manilyn Dantes (she/her/hers)Job Title: Care Aide / Health-Care AssistantYears of Service: 10Worksite: Cottonwoods Care CentreCommunity:  Okanagan/KelownaAncestral Territory: SyilxFavourite Quote / Advice to live by: Be the reason someone smiles today. Never stop learning because life never stops teaching. Manilyn Dantes is a care aide / health-care assistant born and raised in the Philippines. She’s been working and living in the Central Okanagan for more than 10 years.  Manilyn has grown her career at Cottonwoods Care Centre in Kelowna supporting residents and assisting with daily activities that encourage maximum independence. 

When a natural disaster such as a wildfire or flood strikes, people are often forced to stay in their homes or evacuate immediately. “Everyone should make an emergency plan for their households—that includes an evacuation plan for themselves, their family members and their pets—and practice that plan,” says Anne Morgenstern, director, Emergency Response with Interior Health. “Many people feel that they will be able to throw a plan together in the moment or rely on family or other supports. “But the reality is that these events are very stressful and dynamic and require quick decisions and actions. People can easily become overwhelmed, which can result in delays or missed information that can leave them in dangerous situations.” Emergency preparation is particularly important for seniors, who may need extra assistance in evacuating from their residence. Learn how you can take steps to prepare for a natural disaster or emergency evacuation. Some of the information listed below comes from Prepared BC, B.C.’s emergency preparedness education program. “Caring for yourself and/or for a loved one can be hard - don’t let a natural disaster and evacuation add to this. Let’s be prepared,” adds Joanna Harrison, Executive Director of Seniors Specialized Care Services with Interior Health. Read on to learn how seniors can prepare for a natural disaster or emergency evacuation. Some of the information listed below comes from Prepared BC, British Columbia’s emergency preparedness education program.

Name: Colette Mayne (she/her/hers)Job Title: Mental Health and Substance Use (MHSU) ClinicianYears of Service: 7Worksite: Kelowna Mental Health and Substance UseCommunity:  KelownaAncestral Territory: Syilx NationFavourite Quote / Advice to live by: “Be the change you wish to see in the world.” — Mahatma Ghandi With a deep passion for community work and helping vulnerable people, Colette Mayne says witnessing her clients take steps to live healthier, more balanced lives is the most rewarding part of her role. "Kindness, empathy and compassion can go along way when we are collaborating with vulnerable people. The world needs more of this right now," says Colette. "It's important to connect with others and hold space for those that need it, as we all have things that we are dealing with under the surface. Even us health-care professionals are not immune to having tough times." The mental health and substance use (MHSU) clinician, who has been with Interior Health (IH) for seven years and in the counselling field for nearly 20, is part of an Integrated Treatment Team (ITT) in Kelowna that supports individuals with substance use disorder. “We support people at the community level or in their homes who have a moderate to severe substance use disorder and are at the highest risk of drug poisoning due to being recreational users," she says. “Most of the people we support in our program are working professionals, business owners and community members, and have families. Having access to discreet substance use supports is of the utmost importance to those we support.” Colette says she is continually learning in her role and much of that comes from her daily interactions. “I have found that my most profound and valuable learning experiences have been from the people we support,” shares Colette.  

B.C. is experiencing higher annual summer temperatures and more extremely hot days. Everyone can benefit from planning and preparing for extreme heat. Prolonged periods of extreme heat can be dangerous, especially for those who don’t have access to a cool indoor environment, or who are unhoused or unsheltered. Extreme heat can start with little warning and can build over multiple days, as we saw throughout the Interior region the past few years. Most heat-related illness occurs indoors in spaces without air conditioning. Related Stories@IH: Summer Safety: Tips to protect yourself from summer heat