Name: Nicky Stewart (she/her/hers)Job Title: Food Service SupervisorYears of Service: 25Worksite: Cariboo Memorial HospitalCommunity: Williams LakeAncestral Territory: Secwépemc NationFavourite Quote / Advice to live by: “Always see the glass half full” and “You draw more bees to honey than vinegar.” Born in Vancouver, raised in Kamloops, and residing in the Cariboo, Nicolette (Nicky) Stewart is coming up on an impressive 26 years with Interior Health (IH). She cherishes spending time with her family, friends and dog, Tia, and is passionate about coaching her grandchildren’s soccer team alongside her daughter. That passion continues at work, where Nicky supervises the dietary department at Cariboo Memorial Hospital (CMH). “I have a great food services team that supports our many departmental successes,” she says. “I also have an excellent manager who continually allows us to bring forward and develop those successes.”

The Indigenous Engagement Team at Interior Health (IH) has been recognized as Runner-Up for the BC Quality Awards in the Leadership in Co-Designing Health Quality with Communities category. This recognition celebrates the team's innovative partnership with First Nations and Métis communities to create Nation-based health-care advocate roles, a groundbreaking approach to fostering equity and cultural safety in health care. Each advocate is co-managed by the engagement manager and a Nation manager. The advocates take direction primarily from their Nation’s priorities, ensuring their work aligns with community-specific needs and aspirations. For example, the Métis Nation BC Health Systems advocate worked to develop the Métis Health and Wellness Plan, which set forth eight priority areas for MNBC and IH to work together to create better health outcomes for Métis people in the Interior. This collaborative effort demonstrates the power of co-design in addressing systemic gaps and advancing community health. "In co-designing these positions with First Nations, Interior Health (IH) has done an incredible job in showcasing how a Health Authority and an Indigenous Nation/Community should work together," shared the Ulkatcho First Nation. "All work with our people and for our people should be driven by our people (nothing about us without us)." Another example is the role that advocates play in managing the letter of understanding (LOU) work between IH and the Nations. This includes organizing LOU meetings, revising the document, socializing  the document with the Nation, and incorporating changes as needed. By facilitating these processes, advocates ensure that the agreements are living documents that reflect current needs and mutual commitments.

You’ve tested your home for radon or are thinking of testing. Perhaps you purchased or borrowed a continuous radon monitor to short-term test or watch levels daily. Or, maybe you bought your kit online and performed a long-term test for a minimum of 91 days during the winter months, the ideal method of radon testing. Your results are showing your radon levels are over the Canadian Guideline of 200 Bq/m³ (Becquerels is a unit of radioactivity named after Henry Becquerel). Now what? In this story, we share why your results might be high and what you can do about it. We also cover special situations like new home builds and information for renters.

Winter weather is here. In B.C., you may start a trip in sunshine and then face stretches of slush, ice, heavy snowfall, or compact snow, all of which can make driving conditions unpredictable and hazardous.  Here are some steps you can take to make your road travel safer in the winter months. 

Name: Nicole Big Sorrel Horse (she/her/hers)Job Title: Practice Lead, Indigenous Mental Wellness TeamYears of Service: 10Worksite: Kelowna, Indigenous Mental Wellness Team, MHSU TransformationCommunity: Unceded syilx nation, West Kelowna.Ancestral Territory: Unceded syilx nation Nicole Big Sorrel Horse is a practice lead on the Indigenous Mental Wellness team at Interior Health (IH), where she works closely with Indigenous partners and Clinical Operations to develop person-centered, culturally safe, and evidence-based resources that address mental wellness and substance use for Indigenous people.  As a strong, compassionate person who enjoys spending time with her son and family, she’s inspired by her family and Indigenous peoples in the different Nations and communities that she supports and works with.

With the holidays upon us, many of us look forward to spending time with family and friends. Holidays are special, and can mean more visits and gatherings, as well as activities and outings. But for someone with dementia or cognitive impairment, large groups, noises and flashing lights, and unfamiliar places and people, can cause increased anxiety and feelings of overwhelm. We spoke with two experts in seniors and dementia care about navigating the holidays and making this time of year pleasant and enjoyable for everyone. Whether your loved one is at home with you, or you’re visiting them in long-term care, here are some tips and things to consider.

Name:  Loreen Jacobson (she/her/hers)Job Title: Registered NurseYears of Service:  45Worksite: Home Health, Royal Inland Hospital Community:  MerrittAncestral Territory: Nlaka'pamux NationFavourite Quote / Advice to live by: Always follow your intuition! Loreen Jacobsen was born and raised in New Westminster, B.C., and moved to Merritt in 1990. Graduating from the Registered Nursing program in the late 1970s at British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT), Loreen continued her training throughout her entire career. She went on to do a critical care course, and later a primary nurse course in 2021. All of her education supported her throughout her professional journey at Royal Columbian Hospital, Burnaby General Hospital and now Nicola Valley Hospital and Health Centre.  

With New Year’s around the corner, many of us turn our thoughts to resolutions. January 1 can be a springboard for a fresh start, new habits and big goals. The original Dry January started in the UK sometime around 2013, and since then has become a global movement. Since 2016, the Go Dry challenge for the Canadian Cancer Society has also inspired hundreds of thousands of people across the country to give up alcohol and go dry for 31 days starting January 1. But going dry may not be the right goal for everyone, says Dr. Andy Delli Pizzi, a medical health officer with Interior Health. “While many people might feel ready and able to not drink for a month, an ‘all or nothing’ approach can be unrealistic for some,” says Dr. Delli Pizzi. “People who choose to not go dry can still try to lower their alcohol consumption to reduce the adverse health effects of alcohol. Choosing small steps over big ones can give you a higher chance of success of meeting your goals and give you something to celebrate.”  

From building upon important work, to strengthening relationships with Indigenous partners, to making strides to provide the healthiest start possible for our tiniest patients, there is a lot to celebrate from 2024.