The sound of a harmonica playing Happy Birthday is heard down the hall of the Kamloops Primary Care Clinic, making those around smile.  It’s Wednesday, which means a Harmonicas for Health (and Happiness) virtual class is taking place. Participants from across Interior Health are receiving a harmonica lesson and being led through guided breathing exercises. Along with an artistic spirit, the participants share another thing in common; they have a lung disease known as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), which causes obstructed airflow from the lungs.  Harmonicas for Health (and Happiness) teaches people with COPD how to have better control of their breathing. It exercises the muscles that help pull air in and push air out of the lungs and strengthen abdominal muscles for a more effective cough. The program also helps them get a self-confidence boost, relieve stress, socialize with others and have fun. “It’s a fun and innovative initiative to engage a section of our population that is often isolated,” said Dr. Jas Kambo, Kamloops respirologist and the Harmonicas for Health (and Happiness) physician champion. “This platform provides a social structure and sense of community while engaging them in rehabilitation programs that we expect will enhance their quality of life and lung function.”

At Interior Health (IH), we’re committed to improving health services and outcomes for all Aboriginal people. Partnerships, such as the one between IH and Métis Nation BC (MNBC), are  crucial to changing our health system and eliminating racism and discrimination. The blueprint for this partnership is a formal agreement called a Letter of Understanding (LOU). The LOU provides oversight in the planning, service delivery and decision-making processes that affect the health and wellness of Métis people living in the Interior Region. “As a Métis leader within the Aboriginal Partnerships portfolio it is really exciting to see relationships between the Métis Nation BC and IH strengthening and expanding," says Aboriginal Partnerships Corporate Director Kris Murray. "It is fulfilling to be able to see the results of the work we do at the MILT and LOU come through to my local Chartered Community, the Rocky Mountain Métis Association, and others across the region. I look forward to continuing to support our partnership and drive change for the improved wellbeing of Métis Citizens.” Read our LOU with MNBC, the longest standing one among B.C. health authorities The MNBC-IH LOU Joint Committee recently refreshed their work plan to focus attention on: Advancing commitments within the LOU agreement Addressing racism Métis engagement on joint priorities Advancing cultural safety and humility Data management. There is a commitment to re-sign the MNBC-IH LOU at the 2023 MNBC Annual General Meeting in September 2023. The Métis Interior Leadership Table (MILT) oversees the implementation of the MNBC-IH LOU. MILT is a place where MNBC and IH executives focus on the distinct health and wellness needs of Métis people through proactive planning and joint decision making. MILT has agreed to embed Métis culture and learning into future meetings and cultural exchange events. MILT also provides leadership and guidance in resolving current policy, program and service issues. Recruitment is underway for a Métis Health Systems Advocate. The position will work closely with the 15 Métis Chartered Communities in the Interior Region to represent the needs and priorities of MNBC and to inform IH policy, programs, strategic planning, and vision. Last June, IH leadership and staff participated in the Elders Forum hosted by MNBC. The event brought together Métis leadership, Elders, caregivers, citizens and service providers to identify and discuss regional needs and priorities with respect to supportive care for Métis Elders in B.C. MNBC leadership also joined the IH podcast, Interior Voices (which explores topics related to Aboriginal health and wellness) for last year’s acknowledgement of Louis Riel Day. They talked about the significance of the day, Métis health and wellness. There were interviews with Debra Fisher and Dean Gladue.On Nov. 16, listen to Interior Voices’ Louis Riel Day episode, featuring a discussion with Métis historian Brodie Douglas

Interior Health (IH) has a Digital Health (information technology) team committed to continuously adapting, responding and innovating to meet the needs of our population, while also supporting an efficient patient and provider experience. The Digital Health team ensures resources and technology are used effectively across all geographic service areas. Meet two members of our dedicated digital health team who help make these new innovations possible.

As we get older, we’re more likely to have problems with our mouth and teeth, which may result in problems with chewing, pain, tooth loss, and partial or full dentures. These issues may negatively impact one's ability to eat nutritious foods (fresh fruits and vegetables, meat, poultry, nuts, for example) and result in weight loss, muscle weakness, bone loss, malnutrition and/or increased frailty in older adults - adding up to an increased risk of falling and having a fall-related injury. 

We would like to begin this story by recognizing and acknowledging that we’re collectively gathered on the traditional, ancestral, and unceded territories of the seven Interior Region First Nations. This region is also home to 15 Chartered Métis Communities. It is with humility that we continue to strengthen our relationships with First Nation, Métis, and Inuit peoples across the Interior. It’s a fitting way to begin a story whose subject is Dr. Harsh Hundal, a champion for inclusion and reconciliation within the health-care system since joining Interior Health in 2015. Dr. Hundal serves as Executive Medical Director, Physician Engagement & Resource planning, and Chair of the Health Authority Medical Advisory Committee (HAMAC). Under his leadership, HAMAC became the first IH committee to regularly begin each meeting with a Traditional Territory Acknowledgment, which helped move our Traditional Territory Acknowledgment Policy forward. After several years of strengthening engagement and reconciliation at Interior Health, Dr. Hundal is moving on from IH effective Nov. 4, 2022.

Name: Greg Kilroy (he/him/his)Job Title: Medical Radiation TechnologistYears of Service: 5Worksite: Kootenay Boundary Regional HospitalCommunity: TrailAncestral Territory: Ktunaxa Nation and Okanagan NationFavourite Quote / Advice to live by: Wake up, love life and put your best foot forward. As a medical radiation technologist, Greg Kilroy’s goal is to help make patients’ hospital visits as enjoyable as possible. Even though he works every day in the operating room, emergency department and diagnostic imaging, Greg often reminds himself that patients don’t feel as comfortable in these environments as he does.  “My goal is ensure all patients feel safe and cared for, and to provide the best diagnostic images possible,” he said.

Name: Kerry Carlson (she/her/hers)Job Title: Physiotherapist (Community Care)Years of Service: 30Worksite: Vernon Jubilee HospitalCommunity: VernonAncestral Territory: Syilx OkanaganFavourite Quote / Advice to live by: “Everyone you meet is fighting a battle you know nothing about. Be kind. Always!” — Robin Williams Kerry Carlson was born and raised in the small community of Morinville, Alta. She graduated from the UBC School of Physical Therapy in 1992 after an initial career in medical research. Kerry traded test tubes for people, and started a new physiotherapy career at Queen Victoria Hospital in the lovely mountain town of Revelstoke. It was in October 1992, that Kerry first walked into Vernon Jubilee Hospital and was hired as a casual physiotherapist.

Thinking about getting a flu shot this year? We asked Dr. Carol Fenton, a medical health officer with Interior Health, to share the questions she gets most often about influenza and the flu shot.  Make an informed decision and keep yourself and your family safe this winter.  What is influenza? Influenza, sometimes called “the flu,” is a respiratory infection. It is like a cold but much worse. It spreads through droplets and from contaminated surfaces, especially in the winter. Why do we see more colds and flu in the winter? We do normally see more respiratory infections, like colds or flu, in the winter. This may be because we spend more time with others indoors, or it may be because these viruses can spread easier and survive longer when the air is less humid. Most likely it’s a combination of both. How do I tell if I have a cold or if I have influenza? Typically, with a cold, people feel unwell, they have a congested and runny nose, and they may have a sore throat or a cough. Fever is very rare with a cold. Influenza is typically more severe, with fever, cough, muscle aches, and fatigue. For some people, this is as bad as it gets; for others, it can be so severe that they need to be hospitalized or they can die from it.  Why should I care about influenza this year? In Canada, thousands of people are hospitalized and die from the influenza infection or from secondary infections like pneumonia during seasons when influenza is circulating through the population. Last year, many public health measures to stop the spread of COVID-19 also worked really well to stop the spread of the influenza virus. This year, the restrictions are different so we need to make sure we continue to prevent influenza as well. Who should get a flu shot? The people who are at the most danger from influenza infections are young children and infants, the elderly, people who have lung conditions like asthma, people who have neurologic conditions, people who have blood conditions, people with diabetes, heart disease, kidney disease, liver disease, people who are on certain medications, and people who are immune compromised. These people need influenza vaccine to give their immune systems the ability to generate protection against the influenza virus. However, some of these conditions and medications may affect their body’s ability to generate really good protection from the vaccine. The other people who need influenza vaccine are all those who come into contact with anybody who is at risk. If you know of or might interact with anyone in the previous group in the winter season, you also need an influenza vaccine to prevent spreading the virus to them. So, unless you don’t leave your house, you also need to be vaccinated for influenza. Do I need both the COVID-19 vaccine and a flu shot? Anyone who has not had a COVID vaccination in the last six months is no longer up to date so it’s time to get their fall booster. With the potential for both the influenza and COVID-19 viruses circulating this winter season, there is a chance you could be infected with both at the same time, which would be bad. A better choice would be to prevent both! Who can get a free flu shot? Anyone over the age of six months is eligible for free influenza vaccination. Get up-to-date information on the influenza vaccine by visiting the provincial Influenza vaccine (flu vaccine) page. New in 2022, people will be able to book their influenza vaccine online through the provincial Get Vaccinated system. Booking through the Get Vaccinated system is the most efficient way to access an influenza vaccine Learn more about getting an influenza vaccine this year If I get my COVID-19 vaccine, do I need to wait a while before I get my flu vaccine? No, there is no waiting period after getting your COVID-19 vaccine before getting your influenza vaccine, and vice versa. You could get one in each arm! Besides getting both the COVID-19 and influenza vaccines, what else can my family do to keep healthy this season? Now that respiratory viruses are circulating again, we need to redouble our efforts to wash our hands correctly and often, and disinfect high touch surfaces.  The best thing we can do is support people to stay home if they are sick. It’s still a good idea to wear a mask properly over your nose and mouth when you are in public indoor spaces. 

Name: Renee Faubert (she/her/hers)Job Title: Clinical Respiratory Educator (Registered Respiratory Therapist, or RRT)Years of Service: 5.5Worksite: Kelowna General HospitalCommunity: KelownaAncestral Territory: Syilx OkanaganFavourite Quote / Advice to live by: It is what it is. Renee Faubert’s goal as Kelowna General Hospital’s (KGH’s) respiratory therapy (RT) educator is to ensure Interior Health delivers the best respiratory care to all patients, but especially pediatric patients. Registered respiratory therapists (RRTs) are certified medical professionals who treat problems with a patient's lungs or breathing. RRTs work closely with doctors to diagnose and monitor a patient's condition. Renee keeps her colleagues up to date with the latest medical evidence, shows them how to use the latest respiratory equipment and serves as a resource in complex cases. “I’m involved with respiratory therapy education related to ventilation in the ICU, tracheostomy education on wards, and I’m available to all KGH staff who have respiratory-related questions,” says Renee. Most of her career has been spent in pediatrics and neonates (newborns). She has been involved with many pediatric regional policies, educational opportunities and presentations. Renee is a Pediatric Advanced Life Support and Basic Life Support instructor, and takes pride in sharing her respiratory knowledge of pediatrics to other specialties.