Four students have been selected as winners in BC Lung Foundation and Interior Health’s (IH) first-ever radon skill testing contest. First place and second place winners were chosen in each of grades 4–8 and grades 9–12 from across the IH region. “The contest was designed to spark interest in science among young students, and to also promote awareness among teachers, staff, parents and guardians about the importance of testing for radon,” says Dr. Silvina Mema, deputy chief medical health officer. “Radon gas is the leading cause of lung cancer in non-smokers and it’s commonly found in homes and buildings across the Interior region. Testing is the only way to know if radon is present.” Colourful posters and letters were sent to schools, and the contest was advertised on BC Lung and IH’s websites. The contest was also featured in social media. “We were thrilled that Interior Health is leading efforts to get schools tested. This contest was designed to be a springboard for building radon awareness with students’ families,” says Noah Quastel, director, law and policy, of the Healthy Indoor Environments program at the BC Lung Foundation. “I was amazed to see so many students take time to think about this important public health issue. The contest spread awareness throughout B.C.’s Southern Interior with tens of thousands of people seeing the posters and ads.”

Name: Jayme Gerk (she/her/hers)Job Title: Improvement ConsultantYears of Service: 10Worksite: Penticton Health CentreCommunity: South OkanaganAncestral Territory: Syilx/OkanaganFavourite Quote / Advice to live by: “There are three ways to ultimate success. The first way is to be kind. The second way is to be kind. The third way is to be kind.” — Fred Rogers Improvement consultant Jayme Gerk describes herself as passionate and authentic, and occasionally just a little bit cheesy. She was born in Vancouver and moved to Penticton when she was two years old. She lived in Kelowna for eight years before moving back home to Penticton.

Welcome to the Meet Your Recruiter series, where we bring you closer to the dedicated professionals behind Interior Health's recruitment team. In this series, you'll have the opportunity to get to know the recruiters who play a vital role in attracting and selecting talented individuals to join our dynamic health-care team. Discover their passions, expertise and invaluable insights as they share their experiences and shed light on the exciting opportunities that await you within Interior Health. As one of the largest health-care authorities in British Columbia, we are committed to providing exceptional care to the communities we serve. These are the people who help us fulfill this commitment.

Name: Joel Koette (he/him/his)Job Title: Emergency department registered nurse (RN)Years of Service: 5Worksite: Kelowna General HospitalCommunity: KelownaAncestral Territory: SyilxFavourite Quote / Advice to live by: “Everyone you meet is fighting a battle you know nothing about. Be kind.” – Brad Meltzer Born and raised in Prince George, Joel has always been high energy, active and confident. With his bubbly, effervescent personality, he loves making people laugh and smile. “I try to stay positive, be grateful and have fun at work,” he says. When in early 2018 he started to feel extremely fatigued, he put it down to having taken on too much. “I was working full time as a licensed practical nurse, and going to school full time as a mature student in the Bachelor of Science in Nursing program at UBCO,” he recalls. “My doctor at the time ran some bloodwork and called me that evening to come into his office. “The next day he told me I had cancer.”

Name: Glenn CharbonneauJob Title: PhysiotherapistYears of Service: 2Worksite: VariousCommunity: KelownaAncestral Territory: Syilx NationFavourite Quote / Advice to live by: “Curious that we spend more time congratulating people who have succeeded than encouraging people who have not.” – Neil deGrasse Tyson Glenn Charbonneau has always had a passion for human movement, but it wasn’t until a chance encounter with a local practitioner in Kelowna a decade ago that Glenn felt compelled to get into physiotherapy.  He pursued his Bachelor of Human Kinetics at UBC Okanagan before earning a Master of Physical Therapy.  Joining Interior Health (IH) in 2022 after stints in the Lower Mainland and Calgary, Glenn has embraced the opportunity to contribute his expertise within the Primary Care Network, where he assists patients with complex medical needs as part of a collaborative team.

Elizabeth Eckert has cared for her son Anakin for his entire life. Born premature at 22 weeks, Anakin is legally blind, has hydrocephalus (a build-up of brain fluid) and epilepsy, and is neurodivergent. Now 22, he’s been through countless surgeries and lives full-time with Elizabeth—but he’s anything but inactive. He has a full social life, plays guitar and composes, writes stories, attends Okanagan College, has two jobs, and volunteers with Make-A-Wish Foundation and the 501st Legion.   Anakin (left) and mom Elizabeth pose for a photo during the pandemic. 

Spring is in the air, and for many of us in the Interior, it’s time to roll up our sleeves and dive into spring cleaning. Before sweeping, dusting and decluttering, however, there’s something else that could be in the air that’s important to be aware of: hantavirus.

There may come a time in your life or a loved one’s life where you’ll need extra help with living at home. A wide range of services are available to you right in your own home and in your community from Interior Health (IH).   “When provided with the assistance and support to live safely and independently in their own home, most people will choose that option over living elsewhere,” says Susan Labonte, regional director for Home Health. “Anyone can make a referral to Home Health, and once the referral is assigned to a Home Health clinician, we do a thorough assessment and recommend care and services appropriate for your needs.”

Name: Tammy Molina (she/her/hers)Job Title: Regional Practice Leader, Clinical EthicsYears of Service: 13Worksite: Kelowna Community Health & Services CentreCommunity: KelownaAncestral Territory: Okanagan-SyilxFavourite Quote / Advice to live by: “It's hard to choose one, but I think what often stirs up my heart and mind most frequently is ‘be the change you want to see.’” In her position with Interior Health (IH) as regional practice leader, clinical ethics, Tammy Molina collaborates with employees and medical staff (physicians, nurse practitioners, midwives, etc.) as they navigate what she calls “crunchy” situations that would benefit from an ethical decision-making process. “It’s so important for us to be able to intentionally examine our responsibilities, priorities, choices and impacts, and not only understand but also explain why we have made the decision we did,” Tammy says. “I enjoy being invited to walk through difficult scenarios with teams to pull back the layers and look at what values and priorities are in conflict and provide space to acknowledge the discomfort or uncertainty.”