Name: Julie Bodden (she/her/hers)Job Title: Community Integration Care CoordinatorYears of Service: 8Worksite: Vernon Urgent & Primary Care CentreCommunity:  VernonAncestral Territory: SyilxFavourite Quote / Advice to live by: “When you make an observation, you have an obligation.” - M. K. Asante Meet Julie Bodden, community integration care coordinator at Vernon Urgent & Primary Care Centre! This adventure-seeking world traveller has visited all seven continents, experienced penguin watching in Antarctica, climbed Kilimanjaro, and has even dove with whale sharks and giant hammerhead sharks in the Galapagos!

In a series of landmark studies, the Alzheimer Society of Canada estimates that by 2050 more than 1.7 million Canadians are expected to be living with dementia. That’s triple the more than 600,000 people who are living with dementia today in Canada. The forecasted increase in diagnoses is expected to have a huge impact on Canada’s health-care system, not to mention the more than one million caregivers who will serve as care partners. According to the first study: “In Canada, most people living with dementia reside at home. In 2015 and 2016, 69% of seniors with dementia under the age of 80, and 58% of those over 80, lived in the community and outside of the long-term care systems (Canadian Institute for Health Information [CIHI], 2018a).” In our previous story, we talked about tips and resources for caring for a loved one with dementia, and your self-care. In this story, we share some of the innovative approaches to care for those with dementia across the Interior Health region. We also highlight resources available from the Alzheimer Society and UBC.

Name: Yvea Zaels (she/her/hers)Job Title: Project Manager, Hospital at Home Program, Kelowna General Hospital (KGH)Years of Service:  3.5 yearsWorksite:  KGH (and home office)Community:  KelownaAncestral Territory: Syilx First Nations Favourite Quote / Advice to live by: "Conquer yourself."   Yvea Zaels is a multi-disciplined project manager who is passionate about helping others and creating an equitable workplace.  When we say multi-disciplined, we mean it! Yvea has a background in project management, electrical engineering, astronomy, marketing, international business, business analysis, adult learning, public speaking and professional editing. She also has extensive experience with connecting people from multiple cultures and is fluent in four languages. In fact, Yvea sponsored the first Russian speaking club in the world and developed a curriculum in collaboration with an experienced accent reduction specialist (speech language pathologist). Yvea’s dedication to creating an equitable workplace ultimately led her to join Interior Health’s Employee Voices, an internal employee advisory group that aims to advise, guide and make recommendations that support Interior Health. Committee members contribute diverse viewpoints in support of creating a respectful, welcoming, culturally safe and inclusive workplace for everyone. Yvea Zaels 

Five teens have been selected as winners for the 2023 Take a Breath: Teen Voices on Tobacco, Cannabis and Vaping poster contest. Youth in grades eight to 12 living in the Interior Health region were invited to participate in the contest. Teen judges on the IH Teen Advisory Council evaluated and scored each poster based on a specific set of criteria. The intent of the poster contest was to spark meaningful conversations about teen tobacco, cannabis and vapour product use, and their impacts on teens’ health, environment and their communities. Teens who identify as Indigenous were also invited to reflect and share on the differences between ceremonial and commercial tobacco use. “It’s exciting to see this level of interest in participating in this contest. We do appreciate the attention that encourages us to work even harder to spread the word about the impacts of smoking and vaping on our health,” says Dr. Fatemeh Sabet, medical health officer at Interior Health. “By collaborating with youth, we continue to learn how to engage younger generations in a more meaningful way in order to minimize the risks of hazards, like vaping, in our communities.”

When Erin’s teenage son Sam hurt his wrist at the skatepark, it didn’t seem that serious at first. However, by the evening his wrist was very swollen and painful. Erin started second-guessing her initial assessment and felt they should have her son’s injury checked.   When a family doctor or walk-in clinic isn’t available, or if it’s after hours or the weekend, we often turn to hospital emergency departments for help.  But instead of going to the local emergency department that night, however, Erin took her son to the Penticton Urgent and Primary Care Centre (UPCC). The primary care team’s physician provided a requisition for an X-ray to be done at the hospital, and the team’s physiotherapist wrapped Sam’s wrist and provided a sling. “It all turned out well. It wasn’t broken or fractured,” says Erin. “And it was a relief to get into the clinic that evening and have someone look at Sam’s wrist quickly.” 

Welcome to the Meet Your Recruiter series, where we bring you closer to the dedicated professionals behind Interior Health's recruitment team. In this series, you'll have the opportunity to get to know the recruiters who play a vital role in attracting and selecting talented individuals to join our dynamic health-care team. Discover their passions, expertise and invaluable insights as they share their experiences and shed light on the exciting opportunities that await you within Interior Health. As one of the largest health-care authorities in B.C., we are committed to providing exceptional care to the communities we serve. These are the people who help us fulfill this commitment.

Caring for someone with dementia can spark a range of emotions – and these will change over time. Everyone’s dementia journey is different: some people will live long and fulfilling lives at home. Others may decline quickly and will need specialized care in the community.  In our previous story, we talked about how dementia is diagnosed, and what happens next. Here, we explore the various care options for those with dementia and their caregivers.

Name: Jenna Hunter (she/her/hers)Job Title: Interim Regional Knowledge Coordinator/Internationally Educated Nurses – Clinical EducationYears of Service: 18Worksite: Vernon Jubilee HospitalCommunity: Vernon Ancestral Territory: Syilx NationFavourite Quote / Advice to live by: "Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?" - Mary Oliver Born in the Vernon Jubilee Hospital (VJH), Jenna Hunter’s career and life have come full circle. After becoming a registered nurse (RN), Jenna would spend her time caring for patients in the same hospital that she was born, before becoming a clinical educator. Jenna is grateful to all the people along the way who believed in her and took the time to encourage her. When she’s not at work, you can find her spending time with her family, travelling and enjoying the fresh air with a book in hand. She also adds that she’s always up for anything as long as it’s an adventure.

Name: Marie Vajda (she/her/hers)Job Title: Administrative Services ManagerYears of Service: 6Worksite: Penticton Health Centre  Community: South Okanagan Ancestral Territory: SyilxFavourite Quote / Advice to live by: “Don't stress. Take it one email, one request and one day at a time.” And “sorry—my crystal ball is broken!” After working in retail supervision and management for 10 years, Marie found herself at a junction when the company she was working for closed.  After going back to school, she found a job as a medical office assistant in a busy North Vancouver office. When her husband’s work took them to Prince George, she found a job as a medical software tester and trainer. Six years later, in 2017, the Vadja family moved to Penticton, where Marie found a position in administration at the Penticton Health Centre. What started out as a casual role became a permanent position. She was promoted to supervisor, then manager, administrative services.