If you're the parent of a preteen or teen, you might be wondering why the Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine is so important for your child's health.    HPV is a common virus that can be spread through skin-to-skin and sexual contact. Some types of HPV cause changes in the cervix, anus, throat and other areas that can lead to cancer. Many people who have an HPV infection don’t show symptoms, which means they might unknowingly pass it on to others.    Getting the HPV vaccine is one of the best ways to protect your child from certain cancers in the future; more than 70 per cent of people who haven't been vaccinated will get an HPV infection.  “Dad, I have cancer”: A father’s plea to protect youth from HPV (Island Health) Continue reading for more information about the HPV vaccine and why you should you make sure your child gets vaccinated.  

Foundations in the Interior region raise funds that support medical equipment, care needs, and innovative local initiatives in their communities. Each organization includes respected community leaders, volunteers and staff who are passionate about meeting the needs of patients and families in Interior Health. Thanks to the generosity of their supporters, we all have a stronger health system.  In this next story of our series on the incredible health-care and hospital foundations throughout our region, we interviewed Bryna Idler, executive director of Kootenay Lake Hospital Foundation (KLHF).

Name: Amelie Darblade (she/her/hers)Job Title: Project Manager, Digital HealthYears of Service: 2.5Worksite: RemoteCommunity: KimberleyAncestral Territory: Ktunaxa Amelie Darblade immigrated to Canada from France in 2015. With a one-year visa in hand, she had plans to explore a new country but didn’t know what would come next. She fell in love with B.C, the great outdoors and its ancestral lands. She discovered backcountry skiing and mountain biking, met amazing people, made great friends, and in 2022, had a daughter. She has built a family and fulfilling career.

As a caregiver, one of the most important responsibilities is ensuring the safety of the children in your care. While many of the toys and devices children love are designed with their safety in mind, there’s one hidden danger that is often overlooked: button batteries.  These small, coin-sized batteries are found in everyday items such as remote controls, hearing aids, toys, watches and even greeting cards. Unfortunately, button batteries can pose a significant risk if ingested, especially for young children who might mistake them for candy or small toys. In the article below, get expert insights and answers to common button battery safety questions from Dr. Aron Zuidhof, physician and medical director for the Emergency Services Network for Interior Health. “Accidental ingestion of a button battery is thankfully a rare event, but can cause significant damage to a child’s esophagus,” says Dr. Zuidhof. With his guidance, we’ll walk through the risks, prevention tips, and what to do if the worst happens.   

Name: Shawna Glassel (any)Job Title: Nurse Practitioner Lead - Primary Care South & VirtualYears of Service: 1.5Worksite: RemoteCommunity: ClearwaterAncestral Territory: Simpcw territory of the Secwépemc NationFavourite Quote / Advice to live by: “We are never more fully alive, more completely ourselves, or more deeply engrossed in anything than when we are playing.” – Charles Schaefer Shawna Glassel has lived in the Simpcw territory of the Secwépemc Nation for five months, where she truly appreciates the picturesque beauty of the land. As a grateful uninvited guest here, reconciliation is important to Shawna. “To me, reconciliation means learning and listening with humility to the experiences of First Nations Peoples who live on the ancestral territories across what is currently known as Canada,” she says. “It is hearing individuals’ and communities’ stories of experiences throughout their history. It is acknowledging injustices that have been and still are present within a colonial system. I commit my personal efforts to collaborating and taking steps toward the goals of healing and growth.”

Leaking or dribbling pee, not being able to pee (or poo), discomfort and pain in your lower abdomen (tummy), or symptoms that interfere with sexual enjoyment: these and other health conditions “below your waist” can be difficult or embarrassing to talk about. Pelvic health is foundational to your quality of life. Good bladder, bowel, reproductive and sexual health are key to living well. It’s important to share your concerns with your family physician—bud did you know there are there are other health-care providers you can turn to, and non-surgical treatment options? 

Name: Kecia Ward (she/her/hers)Job Title: Nursing Unit Assistant Years of Service: 19.5Worksite: Royal Inland Hospital (RIH)Community: KamloopsAncestral Territory: Secwépemc (Shuswap / Interior Salish) NationFavourite Quote / Advice to live by: From my always knowing mother: "Be careful the toes you step on today as they might be attached to the butt you have to kiss tomorrow!" Kecia Ward’s life and career have been shaped by her roots, her passion for health care, and her commitment to making a positive difference in the lives of others. Born in the vast prairies of Saskatchewan, Kecia brings a grounded, humble perspective to her work at Interior Health (IH), where she has become an invaluable part of the team at the Royal Inland Hospital's (RIH) Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU).

Name: Magalie Knopf (she/her/hers)Job Title: Social WorkerYears of Service: 1.5 Worksite: Royal Inland Hospital and Home & Community CareCommunity: KamloopsAncestral Territory: Secwepemc Nation Favourite Quote / Advice to live by: "What’s meant for you will never miss you, and what misses you was never meant for you." - Imam Al-Shafii For Interior Health (IH) social worker Magalie Knopf, her destination is the product of her journey. Born in Haiti, she was adopted and moved to Canada at the age of four. She grew up in Alberta as the youngest of eight children. She graduated with a Bachelor of Social Work and has been a registered social worker in Alberta and B.C. “What inspired me to pursue a career in social work was initially rooted in my own experiences: I experienced significant loss at an early age. I became passionate about maternal health and advocating for education and support systems that could prevent maternal death, especially for those in developing countries,” Magalie says. “I have always been drawn to being part of systems impacting change. Working in health care allows me to support change both at a macro level and micro level by addressing not only immediate health needs, but also social determinants of health.”

For three weeks last summer, Sandie thought her chest pains were from heartburn. The 68-year-old retiree went so far as to see a specialist who said she had acid reflux. As her symptoms worsened over the next couple of weeks, Sandie would simply sit down, ask for a glass of cold water, and let the sensations pass as the water washed the “acid reflux” away. “And it worked,” she says. “I didn’t think much of it.” Sandie and her husband were at a friend’s wedding in Vancouver in September when she felt what she describes as a “whoosh” coming up into her chest. She started to feel pain in her ribcage and in her breasts. She once again put it down to acid reflux. The following week she noticed the whooshing and chest pain were happening once a day. Another week passed and then that Saturday, the night before her daughter’s wedding reception, the pain returned. But now the pain was in her neck as well, and she was nauseous. A nurse who was at the party insisted she go to the hospital. “I think I’m having a heart attack,” she said, turning to her husband in the car. Her jaw and teeth had started to throb and her back was aching. Tests at the hospital confirmed what Sandie had suspected. Today, Sandie has a stent in her heart. She takes medication daily. She’s lost 11 pounds, stays active and continues to volunteer at a golf course. Encouraged to look into her family’s health history, she discovered her mom and three siblings have high triglycerides (cholesterol). As she reflects on her experience, Sandie is positive about her future. “It was a wake-up call for sure. As females we power through pain and sometimes ignore the obvious. We just get on with things.  “Don’t minimize your pain or write it off.”