Name: Leslie Bryant (she/her/hers)Job Title: Improvement consultantYears of Service: 16Worksite:  KGH and homeCommunity:  Kelowna/Lake CountryAncestral Territory: Syilx NationFavourite Quote / Advice to live by: “I am a part of all that I have met.” – Alfred Lord Tennyson Meet Leslie Bryant, a dynamic and versatile individual passionate about sports, research and community engagement. Born in Edmonton and raised in rural B.C., including a farm on Secwépemc Nation territory, she now resides on a small organic farm in Lake Country, overlooking the beautiful Okanagan Lake on Syilx Nation territory. Leslie’s diverse experiences range from moonlighting as a writer for Backroad Mapbooks to running an Airbnb, proving herself to be a true jack-of-all-trades. She also has served as a ski patroller and held a role as a minor official in the NBA, highlighting her love for physical activity. Whether it’s golf, skiing, pickleball or hiking, Leslie is always active. Additionally, she actively supports her three kids’ various sports such as hockey, baseball, volleyball, basketball, and track and field. It’s no surprise that Leslie describes herself as “a sporty busy mom of three beautiful smart kids.”

Interior Health (IH) is not only a health provider, but a health promoter. One way we promote healthy communities is by looking after our environment, and taking action to reduce the environmental impacts health care has on the communities in which we operate.  We just released our 2022 Climate Change Accountability Report. Here are some of the highlights from the report – and some of the ways we are helping mitigate, adapt and increase our resilience to the impacts of climate change.   We have been carbon neutral since 2010.  We have finalized a new 5-year Climate Change and Sustainability Roadmap. We’ll be releasing the full document soon.  We annually update the Strategic Energy Management Plan to meet our long-term greenhouse gas emissions reduction targets.   Our staff-led environmental sustainability committees have grown from two to six. These committees advance grassroots environmental initiatives at various IH sites focused on patient care, staff education and engagement, and creating a culture of sustainability.   IH became the first health authority in B.C. to implement anesthetic gas recovery technology at Royal Inland Hospital, reducing emissions associated with our services.  Look at this infographic, which highlights these actions, results and more.     Celebrating our champions Here are a few of the people you'll see in the report, and who are making a difference and working to create a sustainable health-care system at IH.

Name: Cindy Cota (she/her/hers)Job Title: Accounts receivable supervisorYears of Service:  5 yearsWorksite:  LansdowneCommunity: KamloopsAncestral Territory: T'kemlupsFavourite Quote / Advice to live by: “Don't sweat the small stuff! Everything happens for a reason!” Cindy Cota is dynamic, people-centric, kind, loving and, according to her friends, a true mama bear.

At Interior Health, one of the most significant priorities is supporting Indigenous Peoples.  For generations, many Indigenous People have celebrated their culture and heritage on or around June 21. As we humbly work to strengthen our relationships with Indigenous partners, we recognize and appreciate the heritage and diverse cultures of Indigenous communities and people we serve, and we are striving to embed their wisdom, knowledge, and culture into how we deliver services to provide culturally safe care. It is a critical aspect of our vision of health and well-being for all. Every day, including June 21, we celebrate the Indigenous People in our communities, and we are passionately committed to our journey of strengthening relationships, building trust and confidence with all Indigenous partners.

Name: Elizabeth Benade (she/her/hers)Job Title: Family physician and hospitalistYears of Service: 6Worksite: Glenvalley Medical Clinic and Kelowna General Hospital (KGH)Community: KelownaAncestral Territory: Syilx/OkanaganFavourite Quote / Advice to live by: “Success is not the key to happiness. Happiness is the key to success. If you love what you are doing, you will be successful.” — Albert Schweitzer Born and raised in Bloemfontein, South Africa, Dr. Elizabeth Benade completed her medical studies in South Africa. She moved to Brandon, Man. in 2009, where she completed the LMCC I & II and CCFP examinations to gain full registration in Canada. Despite returning to South Africa in 2013, Dr. Benade continued to work in Canada doing locum work in Brandon until 2017 when she relocated to Kelowna, B.C., which she now calls home. Dr. Benade is now a family physician and hospitalist based at Kelowna General Hospital (KGH). She describes herself as determined, caring and passionate about helping others.

Name: Kaity Elliot (she/her/hers)Job Title: Patient ambassador (Forest View Place - long-term care)Years of Service:  10Worksite:  Dr. Helmcken Memorial HospitalCommunity:  ClearwaterAncestral Territory: Secwépemc / Shuswap - Interior SalishFavourite Quote / Advice to live by: “What you put out into the universe you get back. Be intentional and aware what you put out there because it will come back :)” Kaity Elliot has always been a happy and talkative social butterfly, who enjoys getting to know people, which is what makes her role as patient ambassador in Clearwater such a phenomenal fit.

For as long as she can remember, Kimberly Whidden has been cycling on urban and city roads. “When my sister and I were growing up in Victoria in the 1970s, our parents would take us from Esquimalt to Beacon Hill Park along some pretty busy routes. I don’t think bike lanes were even a thing then,” recalls the Interior Health communications consultant. Today, Kimberly lives in Penticton, and uses her bike for getting around town, recreation and fitness. “I love how far the cycling infrastructure has come in so many cities across B.C.,” she says. “Even though I’m comfortable cycling in traffic, I also deeply appreciate the separated bike lanes, bikeways/greenways and multi-use paths that have been built.”

Carl Meadows is a name synonymous with Pride season at Interior Health (IH), having contributed greatly to the 2SLGBTQIA+ community both at IH and within the wider Okanagan community. As Carl’s retirement draws near, and to mark his last Pride Month with IH, we wanted to send him off in style. Read on for our interview to celebrate his career and efforts to promote diversity, equity and inclusion. Name: Carl Meadows (he/him/his)Job Title: Executive director, clinical operations, South OkanaganYears of Service:  7Worksite:  Penticton Regional Hospital (PRH)Community:  PentictonAncestral Territory: Syilx/Okanagan Interior Salish

When it comes to stroke, minutes can save lives and loved ones. “Our goal in working together to prevent and treat stroke is really to give people back those essential moments. This is not only walking again, talking again, and eating again, as we used to focus on for a ‘good’ outcome. These moments are dancing, laughing, traveling, holding hands on an evening walk, and all those things that make life a good life,” says Dr. Aleksander Tkach, Interior Health's Stroke Services Medical Director. “In a stroke every second counts. Every second we save by all working together to treat a stroke gives people back those moments in life that are precious.”