Name:  Erik Reimer (he/him/his) Job Title: Spiritual Health Practitioner Years of Service: Seven months Worksite:  Vernon Jubilee Hospital Community: Vernon Ancestral Territory: syilx Favourite Quote / Advice to live by: “Shame and insecurity intimidate us into hiding. Connection and belonging invite us to step out into the open.” Meet Erik Reimer, the newly appointed spiritual health practitioner at Vernon Jubilee Hospital (VJH). Erik brings a wealth of experience in spiritual care, having spent more than two decades as a pastor walking alongside people through life’s most significant moments.  His journey is not just one of academic learning and teaching, but of profound personal reflection and empathy that undoubtedly resonates with those he serves.  

From May 5-9, 2025, the Healthcare Travelling Roadshow made its way to high schools in Salmo, Creston and Lumby. More than 450 students got to roll up their sleeves and explore real-world health-care careers through hands-on activities and face-to-face learning. With a team of nine post-secondary health-care students leading the way, the annual Roadshow offers an interactive and engaging look into the many opportunities in the health-care sector. The Roadshow aims to inform, inspire and spark interest in exciting future careers.

Algae are a natural part of the aquatic ecosystems of lakes and algae blooms can occur throughout the Interior Health region. Blue-green algae are actually a microscopic bacteria called cyanobacteria. Cyanobacteria can live in waters through winter. In the warmer spring and summer months, cyanobacteria can multiply very quickly and produce several types of toxins that can be poisonous to people, pets and livestock. “It’s that time of year when we can see increased blue-green algae (cyanobacteria) blooms on lakes. These blooms tend to stay on the water surface and may have a leafy scent,” says Interior Health medical health officer Dr. Andy Delli Pizzi. “Sometimes blooms can be toxic for those who come in contact with the water. My advice is to use common sense and avoid contact or consuming water if you suspect there is a cyanobacteria bloom.”

Name: Robert Gignac Job Title: Care Aide Years of Service: 35 Worksite: Parkview Place Community: Enderby Ancestral Territory: Secwépemc Nation Favourite Quote / Advice to live by: “It’s better to give than to receive.” Since joining Parkview Place in 2012, Robert Gignac has left his mark on the long-term care home. He has greeted people with a smile as a screener, helped things run smoothly behind the scenes, and most recently, has been serving residents as a care aide.  Most importantly, Robert always tries to leave residents smiling after an interaction. “When I work with some of my residents, they ask, ‘What is your name?’ When I say, ‘Mr. Wonderful,’ they burst out laughing,” Robert says. 

Name: Bettina Panio (she/her/hers) Job Title: Certified Practice Registered Nurse (RN) Years of Service: 13 Worksite: Blue River Health Centre, Clearwater, Dr. Helmcken Memorial Hospital & Kamloops Royal Inland Hospital (ED & ICU) Community: Louis Creek Ancestral Territory: Secwepemc Favourite Quote: I love quotes that touch me and call to me. There are too many to chose from but since this is about nursing, I really like this quote, “Value what you do and add value by what you do.” Advice to Live By: Be like a tree: Stand tall and proud. Stay grounded. Connect with your roots. Turn over a new leaf. Bend before you break. Go out on a limb. Drink plenty of water. Be content and enjoy your unique natural beauty. Keep growing. Enjoy the view. A desire to expand the scope of her practice, coupled with great family support, has led Certified Practice Registered Nurse Bettina Panio to try a new position at Interior Health (IH) in the remote community of Blue River. Since November 2024, Bettina has been providing care two days a week for clients at the Blue River Health Centre. The centre, located between Clearwater and Valemount along Highway 5, is based out of the historic Blue River Outpost building which was established as a first aid clinic in 1948.

“Preparedness is not a luxury. It’s a necessity.” That’s the message Interior Health’s (IH) Health Emergency Management BC (HEMBC) team wants to get across to our communities as British Columbia emergency agencies prepare for another unpredictable wildfire season. And, with temperatures warming up, now is the time to review your emergency plan and take stock of your emergency kit, so you’re prepared. While there are some fundamental items that should always live in your kit—water, food, a battery-operated or wind-up flashlight and radio, personal medications, extra keys and cash—everyone’s personal situation is unique and there are no rules for what you can or can’t add to those basic supplies.

Name: Mike Robinson (he/him/his) Job Title: Urologist Years of Service: 10 Worksite: Kootenay Boundary Regional Hospital (KBRH) Community: Trail Ancestral Territory: Sinixt, syilx and Ktunaxa  Raised in the small lakeside town of Christina Lake, B.C., Dr. Mike Robinson always knew the West Kootenays would be part of his story. What he didn’t know, as a young student passionate about human physiology, was that he would one day become a cornerstone of surgical care in the region he calls home. After completing his undergraduate degree in Human Kinetics and Exercise Physiology at the University of British Columbia (UBC), Dr. Robinson continued to medical school through UBC’s Northern Medical Program in Prince George, as part of only the second cohort of this innovative, community-based initiative.  He later returned to Vancouver for a surgical residency at UBC and spent a year working locum positions in Vancouver before ultimately finding his professional home in Trail.

Doug Berry says after a lengthy journey to his cancer diagnosis and treatment, he is thankful for the travel support he received through the Cancer Travel and Accommodation Services (CTAAS) program.    In 2023, Doug had visited Mexico for his daughter’s wedding. For years, he had been experiencing soreness and itchiness on his skin. During the trip, the Sicamous resident saw a new dermatologist who suggested he undergo a biopsy.  “Two weeks later, I received a letter saying I should visit an oncologist,” Doug recalls. “It was a bit of a shock, but I called my doctor right away.” 

Thousands of volunteers of all ages work alongside our staff across the Interior Health region. Volunteers complement the care provided by our professionals, and are welcomed, respected and valued members of the IH care team. The incredible work, kindness and dedication of our volunteers make a huge difference in delivering outstanding care and positive experiences to the people we serve. We would like to express our heartfelt appreciation to all our volunteers across IH for supporting our patients, our visitors and our staff. This National Volunteer Week, we are celebrating volunteers all around IH and would like to introduce you to two outstanding volunteers who help strengthen our communities.