Wanda (in the blue shirt) and her family Name: Wanda Handschuh (she/her/hers)Job Title: Health Services for Community Living (HSCL) Nursing, Clinical Educator RNYears of Service: 30Worksite: Day-Break Adult Day CentreCommunity: VernonAncestral Territory: Syilx Okanagan / Okanagan Interior SalishAdvice to live by: “If you are going through hell, just keep going,” and “Normal is only a setting on a dryer.” Wanda Handschuh has spent her entire life in British Columbia. Born in Dawson Creek, Wanda has also lived in Hudson Hope and Mica Creek, then Kamloops to complete school, study nursing and get married. After living in Revelstoke for a year with her husband, Darren (together for 34 years now), they moved to Vernon in 1991 and have never left.  Wanda enjoys supporting people with their health. Making people comfortable and sharing a laugh is important to her in her work. Currently a Clinical Educator in Health Services for Community Living (HSCL), Wanda enjoys meeting new people, and working with clients and their caregivers.  “Nursing has been a perfect fit for my personality and my passion. I look forward to continuing to learn about myself and others on this life journey.”

Jodi Cunningham, pharmacist and owner of Medicine Shoppe Vernon It takes a team to combat one public health emergency – let alone two. Pharmacist Justin Dovale and staff at Kelowna’s Two Nice Guys Pharmacy are part of that team. The pharmacy opened in March 2021, in the middle of two public health emergencies. While people were being told to isolate due to COVID-19, many clients at risk of poisoning from the illicit drug supply needed Opioid Agonist Treatment or pharmaceutical alternative medications, which can require in-person appointments at a pharmacy. Opioid Agonist Treatment, or OAT, is a first-line treatment for opioid use disorder. The medications, such as methadone, suboxone and kadian, are playing an important role in the response to the toxic drug crisis. Within Interior Health, the number of clients on OAT has risen from approximately 2,000 in 2015 to more than 4,000 in 2022. “While we were telling people to isolate, drug dealers were delivering,” recalls Justin, adding he saw an opportunity to make a difference. “We started delivering OAT medications for those clients in isolation. Over time we have gotten to know the OAT providers and received many referrals. In a little over a year we’ve seen remarkable changes in terms of the quality of life for many of these folks.” Justin says people are very motivated to make positive changes in their lives when they are on OAT. “They don’t need to constantly worry about where they will get drugs. It allows them to focus on securing food and shelter. From there, people may pursue employment and safer, more permanent housing.” Justin (front left) and team in front of his Two Nice Guys Pharmacy in Rutland, Kelowna The fact that the pharmacists see OAT clients on a daily basis allows them to develop good relationships and a high degree of trust. “We also do a lot of outreach and deliveries, so we are meeting people in their homes, meeting room-mates and families. People share their most intimate details, early traumas and how they became dependent on opioids,” Justin says. Jodi Cunningham, pharmacist and owner of Medicine Shoppe Vernon, agrees. Jodi and her team strive to be inclusive and supportive of everyone who walks through their door. Medicine Shoppe was the first pharmacy in the region to provide OAT delivery to shelters and supportive housing at the height of COVID-19. When she was originally contacted by Interior Health about delivery of OAT medications, Jodi realized she had a chance to make a difference for people who face tremendous barriers and often insurmountable stigma. “Delivery has enabled access for patients who otherwise struggle to remain on treatment,” she says, adding that there are stringent rules around the medications, to the point that it can be a deterrent for some pharmacists to handle the treatment option. “But access to OAT and harm reduction medications is crucial for clients to be successfully maintained on treatment and have an opportunity to pursue stability in other areas of their life once they are not reliant on the toxic drug supply,” she says. “Many people do not appreciate what these clients are up against. The barriers are much more than most people see or comprehend. Because we’ve done the outreach and delivery piece, we see the consequences of the toxic drug supply first hand. “We know if we don’t go over and above to ensure they have the medications they need, and at therapeutic doses, we are further endangering them when we have the ability to help keep them safe. We owe them better than that. If they are missing doses we need to work with patients and clinicians to find out why and how we can support them. That’s our responsibility.” Jodi says it’s incredibly gratifying to see people become stable and succeed on OAT. Provision of medications is really only a small part of the role pharmacists can have; support, education and encouragement can make a significant difference in patient outcomes. “We have seen patients once unable to maintain housing become stably housed, gainfully employed and also volunteering to give back to peers and the community. It’s been very rewarding.” Learn more about OAT

Celeste hiking at Idaho Peak in Sandon, B.C. Name: Celeste Hein (she/her/hers)Job Title: Patient Ambassador and Support WorkerYears of Service: 11Worksite: Boundary District HospitalCommunity: Grand ForksAncestral Territory: Syilx – Okanagan Interior Salish Celeste Hein was born and raised in Grand Forks, B.C., where she has been working as a Patient Ambassador and Support Worker at the Boundary District Hospital for 11 years. As an adventurous, outdoorsy person, she lives by the adage, “At the end of the day, your hair should be messy, your feet dirty and your eyes sparkling.”

Did you know that young children ages six months to 5 years are now able to be vaccinated against COVID-19? Here’s what parents and guardians need to know:

People receive a lot of UV exposure and attention from mosquitoes during the summer. Sunscreen and bug repellent serve as effective layers of protection but it’s important to ensure you’re using them properly to maximize that protection. This post contains helpful tips from HealthLink BC.

Name: Kelsey Madeira (she/her)Job Title: Long-term Care AideYears of Service: 4.5Worksite: Sunnybank CentreCommunity: OliverAncestral Territory: SyilxAdvice to live by: Be somebody who makes everybody feel like a somebody. “There is nothing quite like caring for your elders,” says long-term care aide Kelsey Madeira. “Being able to care for those who can't take care of themselves gives me so much pride.” Kelsey enjoys working at Sunnybank Centre in Oliver. “It is so homey and a great place to work,” she says. “All of my co-workers are absolutely amazing and we make a great team!”

Cycling is a great summer activity, whether you're enjoying a casual ride, cross-country expedition or some fast-paced downhill action. But bike riding also comes with the risk of injury. Stay safe on your bike this summer by following the safety tips outlined below.

Dooshima enjoying views of Okanagan Lake in the winter Name: Dooshima Jessica Iyorchir (she/her)Job Title: Student Data AnalystYears of Service: Two monthsWorksite: Community Health & Services CentreCommunity: KelownaAncestral Territory: SyilxAdvice to live by: Keep moving forward. Dooshima has a natural belief that there is nothing she can’t accomplish.  Raised in Lagos, Nigeria, Dooshima graduated from high school at the age of 16, from university with an undergraduate degree at the age of 21, and is currently pursuing her post-graduate diploma for marketing and data analytics at Okanagan College at the age of 23. “My education and work have always advanced throughout my life. I have no intention of stopping here, but rather to continue climbing to greater heights.” Dooshima now lives in Kelowna and works as a Student Data Analyst at Interior Health. 

Fighting stigma is easier than you think. Learn how you can make a positive impact on the lives of people living with dementia.