Brittany Willment remembers feeling apprehensive the first time she used the online tool called Kelty’s Key with one of her clients.   “I thought, ‘Would I be able to provide therapy in a useful way? What if my email doesn’t work? How do I do this?' ” recalls the counsellor from Penticton's mental health and substance use community counselling team.   Today, however, Brittany says she has no doubt that the virtual counselling tool is useful and appreciated by clients. It's increasing access to needed therapies for mental health and substance use disorders in a way that's flexible, effective, and person-centred.   “Some of the feedback I’ve received is appreciation for an email option, because without it clients wouldn’t be able to participate in therapy due to family obligations or work schedules,” she says. “Another person shared that they have found benefit in the process of writing and reflecting between sessions rather than using a Zoom (videoconference) or phone format, and that the material has been so helpful they have shared the modules with others.”   With an increasing focus on virtual care options, online therapy is a new and effective tool that clinicians can offer to people with mental health and substance use disorders. Clients can access resources, helpful exercises and their counsellor’s words and encouragement from the comfort of home. Interior Health's Community Mental Health & Substance Use services offers online counselling in most communities, expanding to include people who cannot physically come to an office because of work schedules, child care, transportation, or due to anxiety or depression.  Online therapy uses a model called “Therapist Assisted Internet Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT),” which is an evidence-based model that has been shown to be as effective as in-person CBT. A counsellor connects with a person through secure email, and uses treatment modules that are part of the Kelty’s Key website such as substance use, depression, anxiety and more. Kelty’s Key is a secure online tool that uses a digital platform and encrypted emails as part of the mental health and substance use continuum of services. Clients can work independently or with an online counsellor. Clinicians are supported with training and a Community of Practice.   The treatment modules were created by a team of clinical Psychologists at Vancouver Coastal Health, and the website was funded by the Kelty Patrick Dennehy Foundation.   Within Interior Health there are now more than 100 clinicians trained to use Kelty’s Key. This number continues to grow as the demand for virtual care increases. “Once I was comfortable using it, I found this to be a tool I use and present to clients often as a choice in therapy. The website is a great resource and is easily accessible by clients between appointments. Through the process of learning, the Kelty’s Key Community of Practice has been super helpful in learning and troubleshooting a brand new way (to me) of providing CBT therapy,” says Brittany.   Visit Kelty’s Key to learn more, or contact your local MHSU centre by dialing 310-MHSU.    

Cindy Ferguson has been helping people through minor surgeries at Kootenay Boundary Regional Hospital (KBRH) in Trail for 14 years. When patients are in need of day surgery and minor procedures, Cindy and her colleagues go to work in what is known as the ambulatory care unit, where patients who don’t require an overnight stay are treated. Now, the hard-working health care workers and physicians along with the people they are treating have a brand new unit to call home and it was designed to ensure patients’ needs are always top of mind. On Sept. 20, the day-surgery unit opened on the second floor of the new emergency department at KBRH. It’s a modern department that matches the skill of those who work there and focusses on patient and staff safety. “It’s a beautiful unit,” says Cindy. “We put a lot of thought into the design. It’s a more efficient unit that makes it easier to multi-task and keep an eye on patients. It’s so bright with lots of natural light. The rooms themselves are going to provide more privacy and space and really improve the patient journey. I’m really excited for our staff. They are amazing and really deserve a great place to work.” Patients will notice a lot of natural light and modern spaces that promote health and healing following a procedure. The day-surgery unit is linked to the existing hospital by a walk-way, which is accessed through the main KBRH entrance. It was designed with input from employees and physicians and is part of the ongoing redevelopment of the Trail hospital.  Natural light is a key feature of the new day surgery unit at KBRH. “Having new, modern spaces allows patients to have a comfortable setting to receive care. We wanted to ensure the patients’ needs were always accounted for in the design of the unit. It’s spacious, bright and is a warm, healing environment, allowing us to treat our patients in the best way we can,” says KBRH physician, Dr. Ron Cameron. For patients, there is a new patient change room with lockers, preparation area, recovery areas and procedure rooms. A new front desk makes it easier for patients to access the services and employee working conditions are improved with better sight lines and work areas. With the new unit now open and seeing patients, work continues inside KBRH on several large renovations. The old day procedure unit is now being updated, while a significant renovation to the KBRH Pharmacy is also underway. The physiotherapy department will also be updated, as will the cast clinic and a new health information area has already opened. “We are a regional hospital and now we have the spaces that really allow our professionals to thrive in the care that they are able to provide to people right across the region,” says Cindy.  

We are IH is a recognition campaign to spotlight Interior Health employees and medical staff – through pictures and stories. Name: Stephanie Hintz (she/her) Job Title: Registered Diagnostic Sonographer Years of Service: 12 Worksite: Royal Inland Hospital Community: Kamloops Ancestral Territory: Tk'emlups te Secwépemc Favourite Quote: "Every day we decide how to treat people, why not choose kindness and empathy?"   Stephanie had a wonderful "fluffy" upbringing. She was born and raised on a chicken farm in Armstrong, which was home to more than 100,000 happy chickens, at one point in time. Surrounded by furry friends for most of her life, Stephanie developed a special bond with animals, which sprouted her caring and kind personality. At only 13 years old, she secured a job at a local vet clinic. Fast forward many years later, she still revisits her vet days, as she occasionally gets an opportunity to preform ultrasounds on pets which she finds most interesting. Now, as a Registered Diagnostic Sonographer, Stephanie shares that when she is performing an ultrasound, she tries to imagine herself in the position of the patient and treats them with the same respect she would appreciate in their situation. "Many times, people are scared, upset or just unsure why they are having a particular ultrasound. I find that just by listening to them while I perform the scan they seem to feel less stressed. I don't think we always realize the impact we can have on someone's day even if we are only in the room with them for half an hour." Even after 12 years, Stephanie is still inspired and motivated every day due the variety and responsibility that her career offers. Her role as a Registered Diagnostic Sonographer allows her the opportunity to investigate a patient's symptoms based on what the ultrasound shows. "We really do make a difference in people's lives - whether it is by confirming their baby is healthy or finding early breast cancer. I am always learning and being challenged." Stephanie recalls that one of her proudest moments at Interior Health happened just fairly recent, when a patient with whom she was examining stopped to thank her with these words: "I don't take what you or anyone else here does for granted. You are very good at your job and I appreciate you." Stephanie realized and admits that the past couple of years have been challenging for everyone, and how nice it is when people take the time to show gratitude. "I'm proud of where I work, we have an amazing group of people that work in ultrasound, and I think we make the best out of most days and support each other on the hard days." Now-a-days, you won't find Stephanie on a chicken farm in her spare time; instead, she will be off running, hiking or camping somewhere. Husband Cory, her two young children and two golden retrievers keeps her company on her hiking and camping excursions. Peyton is 11 years old and brother Easton is eight - both are eager beavers to go out and explore just like Mom. She admits that living in B.C. definitely makes it a whole lot easier to get out doors and to find new adventures. When the great outdoors isn't calling, you will find Stephanie paying attention to her creative side - making jewelry. Stephanie is looking forward to continuing to grow in her profession and be able to enjoy the work-life balance that her job offers so she can still make memories and watch her children grow up. Stephanie's nomination keeps the We Are IH loop going: "Julianna Duplessis is such a positive person and a hard worker. Even on the toughest and busiest days she never complains or has a negative thing to say about anyone. During the pandemic I have found her to be very inspiring. She shows up to work with a smile even when she is going through her own health challenges." - Stephanie Hintz Stay updated with careers at Interior Health Facebook: Interior Health  |   Instagram: interiorhealthbc |   LinkedIn: Interior Health Authority

Gratitude is saying "thank you." But it's more than a thank-you to a friend for a favour or gift. Gratitude is saying thanks for everything that is important to you and good in your life. Gratitude is linked to well-being. Studies suggest that people who practice gratitude appear to be more optimistic, pleased with their lives, and connected to others when compared to those who reflect on daily hassles or on everyday events.1 Another study suggests that gratitude in teens is linked to feeling good about life, being optimistic, and having a good social network.2 You also might find that gratitude may help decrease anger. If you find yourself thinking about how someone has wronged you, shift your attention to someone else who has been there to support you. Gratitude may also be linked to resilience, which is having an "inner strength" that helps you bounce back after stressful situations. The traits mentioned above, such as optimism and connection with others, are often found in people who are resilient. 7 Tips for practicing gratitude Spend a few minutes at the end of each day and think about, or even write down, what you are grateful for that day. Think about people, events, or experiences that have had a positive impact on you.Call or email someone just to say "thanks."Write thank-you notes as well as saying "thank you" when you receive gifts or favours. Or write a letter of gratitude and appreciation to someone. You don't have to mail it.Write a letter to the editor of your local newspaper about something a stranger did for you. Or just say "thank you" to people you don't know, such as waving when a person lets your car cut in during heavy traffic.When feeling burdened by your health, give thanks for the abilities you still have.Start a family ritual of gratitude, such as giving thanks before a meal.Find a creative way to give thanks. For example, plant a garden of gratitude or take pictures of things you are grateful for. This article is based on Practicing Gratitude by HealthLink BC

As Medical Device Reprocessing (MDR) units go, it’s one of the smallest around. But that’s OK, because the brand new two-person unit fits perfectly in the Lillooet Hospital and Health Centre. And fits right in with a team of health-care professionals that work together to give residents from a large rural area excellent care and a wide array of services. The second week of October is dedicated to celebrating MDR departments; reach out to an MDR team member this week! The MDR is a critical cog in the care environment that includes a surgical unit that runs three-and-a-half days a week and an emergency department that is open 24-7. The MDR is where surgical and medical tools are cleaned, sterilized and prepped for use – keeping residents safe during procedures. In Lillooet, the MDR is newly designed, a state-of-the-art piece of equipment in a newly renovated space, thanks to a $736,000 investment in the Lillooet Hospital and Health Centre (LHH). The Interior Health project brings the MDR up to current standards of care improving work-flows and patient safety. Height-adjustable ergonomic sinks and workstations allow for enhanced safety for employees and a new steam sterilizer features the latest technology. And now, it’s full steam ahead for the Lillooet Health Centre, which may be one of the smallest rural hospitals in B.C. still doing surgeries. Many smaller hospitals don’t have their own MDR - a critical piece in the surgical process – and send tools to other Interior Health MDRs for cleaning and preparation. The Lillooet MDR not only has its own MDR, it has also done reprocessing for other rural facilities. “I’ve heard on many, many occasions that this might be the smallest MDR in the world,” says Megan Delf, LHH’s nurse administrator, a Registered Nurse for 25 years who joined the team in Lillooet in 2010. “But it’s super functional, the flow is great and it’s now filled with state-of-the-art equipment.”   Teamwork is a foundation of Interior Health and at the Lillooet hospital that’s personified. One trained MDR technician is supported by operating room staff/nurses, who are also trained on the MDR. And it’s a busy place. A surgical program that includes one GP surgeon and GP anesthetist perform over 150 scopes per year as well as other procedures such as hernia or carpal tunnel surgeries. “There is a real sense of connection to our patients. It’s a really great community,” says Megan. Situated two hours from Kamloops, patients come from a large geographic area and the hospital serves as a hub for those rural and remote areas, including seven Aboriginal communities. Rural patients come to LHH from far and wide, and luckily don’t have to travel further for some procedures. “We provide a valuable service for the community,” says Megan. “It’s really challenging for some of the population to get to Kamloops for services. The team is really excited for the new MDR. We’ve been working at this for several years. It’s a very valuable investment in the community and the services that are available here.” One more thing on teamwork: During the project, LHH was sending its surgical tools to Royal Inland Hospital in Kamloops. Megan says it allowed their operating room to remain open. “The team in Kamloops were integral for us during the project. We wouldn’t have been able to stay open for surgeries without them so we wanted to send them a thank-you.”

Breastfeeding provides many health benefits for mothers and babies. Communities and health-care organizations have an important role to play in creating an environment that makes it easier to breastfeed. Recently, the Penticton community has been taking steps to support breastfeeding in the South Okanagan.   Baby-Friendly Initiative a vital partnership Health-care teams at Penticton Regional Hospital along with those at the Penticton Health Centre and the Penticton Indian Band are working together to develop a baby-friendly culture. Their goal is to make significant improvements in the health of mothers and babies in the South Okanagan.   Together they are working towards achieving the Baby-Friendly Initiative designation. This will be the first such Canadian partnership between a hospital, community and a First Nation health department.   The Baby-Friendly Initiative, launched by the World Health Organization and UNICEF in 1991, is a global effort to implement practices that protect, promote, and support breastfeeding. It has been shown to improve short and long term health for infants, such as lower rates of infections, sudden infant death syndrome, and obesity later in life. It is also associated with reduced chronic disease in mothers, including obesity, diabetes and breast cancer; it enhances quality of care and empowers them to make informed infant feeding choices. It also recognizes there are medical and personal reasons why a baby may not be breastfed and supports all families by ensuring they receive the best care possible.     The breastfeeding family  ̶  unique trio of plaster casts on display Coming this fall, a unique trio of plaster cast busts will be on display in the Penticton hospital lobby. Each of the three casts is based on artists’ interpretations of stories shared with them about personal breastfeeding journeys. They were created for the Breastfeeding Art Expo that toured Interior Health in 2017-2018. “The art exhibit is part of our vision for excellence in maternal and infant health care,” says Sara Evans a director of clinical operations at Interior Health.     Lactation room opens at Penticton Regional Hospital On Oct. 4 the hospital will officially open its first dedicated lactation room. Located in the corridor between the emergency department and diagnostic imaging, the newly refurbished room will provide a quiet, comfortable area to staff, physicians, patients and visitors for feeding or pumping. “People are welcome to feed or pump milk anywhere they choose in the hospital, but this room provides relaxation and peace and quiet, which we expect both parents and babies will really appreciate,” says manager Cindy Barton.         Feature image of plaster casts Left: The Source by Rebecca Bessette; Top Right: Mama’s Milk by Nathan Stewart; Bottom Right: Sweet Nectar by Nicole Hobbs. Lead Artist: Angela Safire Jones.  

We are IH is a recognition campaign to spotlight Interior Health employees and medical staff – through pictures and stories. Name: Shannon Kambick (she/her) Job Title: Community Health Worker Years of Service: Nearly one year Worksite: Kiro Wellness Centre Community: Trail Ancestral Territory: Ktunaxa (Tun-ah-hah)/Kootenay Favourite Quote: "In a world where you can choose to be anything, choose to be kind." -Unknown  Shannon and her husband As a Community Health Worker in Trail, Shannon Kambick is encouraged by her clients every day. “I’m inspired knowing that I can give my clients the care, dignity, independence, privacy, preference and safety they deserve. I know that I make a difference in their lives.” Shannon describes herself as a caring individual who thinks all things living (human or not) deserve respect, caring and compassion. These attributes are essential in her role. One of Shannon’s proudest moments in her job was when she noticed a client in distress, possibly prone to self-harm. She followed the proper procedures and called the RCMP, which ended up with the client receiving the help they needed at the hospital.  Shannon and her mom while snowshoeing One of Shannon’s passions is travelling and learning about other cultures;  she’s looking forward to travelling to new countries once she’s able. “I was lucky to go on a Rotary youth exchange program when I was younger. I lived in Honduras for a year to learn the language and culture.” Shannon keeps active in her down time, walking her parents’ dog or volunteering at the SPCA. Her favourite team sport to play is water polo and she used to run triathlons. Shannon also enjoys reading and completing paint by numbers art.  Shannon's paint-by-numbers artwork Shannon's nomination keeps the We Are IH loop going: “Amanda Mackenzie is a new employee as well. She's passionate about being a Community Health Worker and is amazing with her clients." - Shannon Kambick Stay updated with careers at Interior Health Facebook  |   Instagram  |   LinkedIn

Historically, Aboriginal peoples have been the subject of research rather than partners in it. This has led to mistrust and outcomes that do not always benefit the communities that are studied. Vanessa Mitchell, Aboriginal Lead and Cultural Safety Program Manager; and Leslie Bryant, Regional Practice Lead for Research are among those changing the way Aboriginal health research is conducted.  The pair--along with former Knowledge Facilitator Christopher Macklin--partnered with Elders Eric Mitchell (Syilx Nation), Chris Marchand (Syilx Nation) and Roberta Price  (Snuneymuxw / Cowichan Nations) to create and lead a workshop for researchers interested in working with Aboriginal peoples. The workshop, titled Planting the Seeds, also led to an academic paper on the subject, published in the International Journal of Indigenous Health. The team hopes that, “…the seeds we planted will take root and grow among all of our workshop participants as they navigate their own personal journeys of learning, self-reflection, and allyship within research.” Elders shared how oral histories have weight and carry validation, the importance of building bridges and making connections, and how stories have been and continue to be healing. Three themes emerged from the participant feedback: (1) bringing together the mind and the heart; (2) self-reflection and initiating change; and (3) understanding cultural safety as a lifelong journey. Vanessa, Leslie, Elder Eric and Elder Chris recently met with podcast host Tracy Mooney to talk about their work. Tune in to Interior Voices to hear their stories.

  Truth and Reconciliation is an ongoing journey Trigger Warning – The information and material presented here may be triggering to some individuals, and may cause unpleasant feelings or thoughts. Many individuals find it helpful to discuss these feelings in a supportive and trusting environment. Please reach out to the supports most appropriate to your individual needs.  In honour of truth and reconciliation with Aboriginal communities, we invite you to share your support by writing a short message, sharing your learnings, or uploading a photo. September 30, 2021 marked the first National Day for Truth and Reconciliation in Canada. However, Truth and Reconciliation is an ongoing journey—both individually and collectively. Interior Health is committed to addressing past and present harms resulting from the residential school legacy and negative effects to the health and wellbeing of Aboriginal Peoples. Upload your photo in your orange shirt and share your message to the Reconciliation Wall to show your support for truth and reconciliation.