Marilyn Parker’s health-care journey has given her a unique perspective on how volunteers can improve the health system. At 40, she was diagnosed with asthma and now has epilepsy and is a chronic care patient. After moving to Kamloops, she had great difficulty finding a family doctor and learned the value of directing her own health and using tools like MyHealthPortal to access her personal health information record. She ultimately found an excellent health-care provider and now shares her insight with Interior Health on how to improve health services. Volunteering has always been part of Marilyn’s life, and when she retired from banking, she joined the Patient Voices Network and quickly became a volunteer on a research project with McGill University, University of British Columbia (UBC) and Simon Fraser University, focused on the doctor-patient attachment relationship. Almost five years later, she has learned a great deal about patient-oriented research practices and procedures and also honed her views on the importance of having a health-care provider.  Marilyn Parker “My focus is access. In particular I’m worried about both rural and First Nation's ability to access services both physically and technologically. I once took a wrong turn in Williams Lake and ended up in an area with no cell service, no email, and no gas stations. Access to health-care services is imperative for the success of our citizens in this province,” says Marilyn. She feels so strongly on this topic that she is co-writing a paper for the research along with one of the adjunct professors from UBC about the importance of having a health-care provider. “I am also interested in providing supports to people in directing their own health-care. Right now, I can have a phone call with my specialist; but can I continue to do that as I age? I also wonder how health-care is going to transition and how we will support innovation and provide access for all.”   Bringing more than just a patient perspective In addition to her experience as a patient and person accessing health services, Marilyn brings a host of other skills to the Interior Health projects she’s part of. As a retired banker, she has extensive experience in human resources, management, and auditing. She also has a degree in process management. But the skill Marilyn feels is most valuable to her work with Interior Health is her ability to listen. As part of her work on the B.C. Primary Care Research Network Patient Advisory, she was asked to speak at a meeting of doctors and caregivers. “I told them in business I learned the extremely important skill of public speaking, but more importantly the value of listening. I encouraged the doctors and practitioners to do the same with their patients” says Marilyn.   The role of partners in improving care Providing feedback is an important part of the role for partners like Marilyn. “On a recent hospital visit, I noticed a sheet on the door with the acronym WOW! (Who, Occupation, What),” says Marilyn. “I was impressed to see the majority of the people who came to my bedside used WOW! I gave feedback to the manager in charge of that unit about how well the staff did, and I think comments like mine help to reinforce the use of it.” As partners in health care, Marilyn believes patients, clients and the public can help improve the system by providing feedback. She has also seen the benefits to health care when organizations like Interior Health leverage the perspective and experience of members of the public. As Marilyn says, “Everybody’s heart is in this work. What more could you ask for?”   A word about partners When asked to describe the role she plays with Interior Health, Marilyn prefers the term patient partner. She recognizes that these roles are all about partnership and says "It is a journey that we make together".     These stories are built on the work started by Tatianna Henderson, Student Intern, Quality & Patient Safety.

    We are honoured to share this submission for Mental Health Awareness Week from Kamloops-based nurse Shanoa Enns. On the surface Shanoa had everything - an exciting new career in nursing, a new partner, tons of friends and a loving family. But as her mental health declined, she found herself in a dark place. It was through reaching out that she was able to heal. Now she is committed to helping others reach out too, by sharing her story...   I promised myself during my lowest point last Spring/Summer, that if I got better, I would make sure to share my story. So here it is! For whatever reason, I have had some degree of anxiety my whole life. Despite my anxiety, most of my life has been very happy and I have been very privileged with supportive and loving family and friends.  This photo was taken while I was out fishing, an activity I usually love. It’s probably not that easy to tell, but I was so depressed and scared in this photo. Every day was a struggle, simple tasks and trying to act like I was 'okay' was exhausting. Last May, my mental health took a turn for the worst. I was dreading going to work and finding it difficult to care for my patients. Over the course of a month or two, my fear, anger and self-pity spiraled into a deep depression. I was struggling to eat or sleep. Within weeks I had lost almost 30 lbs, and my clothes were hanging off of me. I also no longer enjoyed my usual interests. I had been calling into work often. I spent a lot of time crying to my husband, my mom, and friends at work, making them promise me that I was going to be okay again. I felt so ashamed that I was like that. I had a good life. No big trauma. A good job. Great friends, family, and a loving partner. I felt weak and I didn’t know why I couldn’t just 'snap out of it'. I would think of the people in the world that were starving or dealing with chronic illness, or the death of loved ones, and I felt terrible that I couldn’t bring myself to appreciate how good my life is. It was dark times, with thoughts and feelings I wouldn’t wish on anyone.   I am now doing very well and I have learned so much this past year. It took a lot of effort and patience, counselling, exercise, yoga, medication, meditation, and lots of support from those that love me. One of the things that helped me most was hearing from others about their own struggles and triumphs with mental illness (thank you so much to those brave souls, you helped me more than you know). Life gets better and hard times don’t last. Let’s support each other and end the mental health stigma.         May 3 - 9 is Mental Health Awareness Week, and this year's theme invites us to #GetReal about how we feel. For information on mental health resources in Interior Health visit www.interiorhealth.ca.              

We are IH is a recognition campaign to spotlight Interior Health employees and medical staff – through pictures and stories. Name: Dr. Glenn Fedor Job Title: Family Physician, Senior Medical Director Years of Service: 40 Worksite: Cariboo Memorial Hospital Community: Williams Lake Ancestral Territory: Secwépemc (She-whep-m) Favourite Quote: "Docendo discimus. By teaching we learn." Over his 40 years of service as a Family Physician, Dr. Fedor has had a positive impact on many people, most notably on his patients and the staff at Cariboo Memorial Hospital in Williams Lake. His motto around the office, “Docendo discimus. By teaching we learn,” creates a welcoming and educational environment for all to learn within. His commitment to starting each day with a smile radiates positivity all around him. He's eager to share his knowledge about everything he knows and encourages others to do the same because of his belief that memories can live on through lessons that one has taught. A strong believer that balance is the key to life, Dr. Fedor continually inspires others to have fun and make the most out of life. He loves to crack jokes and see others smile. His engaging stories and sense of humour not only entertain others but usually contain valuable lessons.  Amidst the pandemic, he encourages others to embrace change, innovate, learn more, and make a difference. From his perspective, the more you know, the better you can do. His will to see others grow to motivate those around him to embrace change for the better. After all, there's a lot to learn in the world of medicine, helping people from birth to death.  Fellow members from the Health Authority Medical Advisory Committee (HAMAC), where Dr. Fedor served as the chair, travelled to his community in Williams Lake to thank him for his 40 years of service. He was nominated by his coworker, Dr. Doug Neufeld, for the Lifetime Achievement Award, through which he was recognized for his outstanding contribution to the community and the work he did throughout his career.  Dr. Glenn Fedor (middle) honoured with a lifetime achievement award in 2019 at the BC Rural Health Awards. Photo courtesy of Williams Lake Tribune. Dr. Fedor was the third child born to a growing family. He was the quieter and introverted one among his four siblings. However, his love for telling stories and connecting with others taught him to push his boundaries. His original aspiration to pursue a career as an Architectural Engineer was derailed by his cousin’s persuasions to become a doctor. Ultimately inspired by his cousin’s medical career, Dr. Fedor went on to become the second doctor in the family. While living with his grandparents on their farm, he was taught that life is about changing, and not only is change good, but it can make a difference.  Dr. Fedor met his beloved wife in Edmonton before moving to British Columbia in 1981. One of his proudest moments was the birth of his first child, born in April 1982 at Cariboo Memorial Hospital. He often recalls a fond memory of his: when celebrating the birth of his first child, he shared a toast of champagne with his wife, when the cork accidentally hit her and bounced off the ceiling, nearly missing the medical staff on the floor. A lot has changed since then, but Dr. Fedor’s enthusiastic personality and thirst for life remain intact. He is so proud of his four incredible children and loves being a grandfather to their precious children. An avid outdoor explorer, Dr. Fedor loves the four-season playground where he can enjoy golf, skiing, hiking, and camping in his renovated 1973 travel trailer. He loves going fishing and camping and enjoys sharing these experiences with family including his grandchildren. Out of the office, you can find Dr. Fedor taking in the scenery on his motorcycle, cooking delicious food in the kitchen, volunteering in the community, snapping photos and creating albums, or simply relaxing. To share his passion for balance, being mindful and appreciating "nothing time," he recommends the book, The Art of Stillness: Adventures in Going Nowhere by Pico Iyer. Thank you for all that you do, Dr. Fedor, we all appreciate you! Dr. Fedor's nomination keeps the We Are IH loop going: "I nominate Dr. Doug Neufeld to be featured. To be recognized for starting a new practice, his active participation in Divisions, his valuable contribution to the community and being the driving force behind the outreach with our First Nation communities. Also, thank you for nominating me for the lifetime achievement award." - Dr. Glenn Fedor Stay updated with careers at Interior Health Facebook: Interior Health  |   Instagram: interiorhealthbc |   LinkedIn: Interior Health Authority

Grade 11 biology class is where Dalyce Gouin discovered a love for science. When watching the movie Outbreak during a lesson on viruses, she was fascinated by the idea of preventing and controlling infection. She was hooked, and she took her passions into a career in nursing and a leadership role during the COVID-19 pandemic. A mom of three, Dalyce is the Manager of Clinical Operations at Overlander long-term care in Kamloops. During her early years at Overlander, she became skilled at responding to outbreaks of infectious diseases, as both respiratory and gastrointestinal outbreaks came and went. It was good preparation for the skills she would utilize once the COVID-19 pandemic began. Early in the pandemic, a non-COVID-19 respiratory outbreak was declared at Overlander. People living in the facility as well as staff were understandably nervous. But Dalyce and her team went into action. "It was essential to have clear communication to all staff to work effectively through the outbreak and decrease anxiety," she says. "Frequent huddles were initiated, concise and easy to understand plans were shared widely, and new communication tools were implemented to provide daily updates on residents with respect to infection control principles and the reasons behind them." Dalyce with her outbreak response toolkit Some of those communication tools were shared to other long-term care homes. "Through the winter months of the pandemic, other sites experienced exposure events and reached out for support. I was able to share successes, communication tools and action plans with other sites to assist remotely and help prevent outbreaks," says Dalyce. In December, Overlander was notified that a person at the home had been exposed to COVID-19. It wasn't an outbreak but the team decided to treat this situation as a practice run. Tension and anxiety was high, but frequent huddles and information sharing helped to ease fears as staff and individuals in care learned what they would do if COVID-19 did occur. In February, a long-term care home in a rural community suffered an outbreak and Dalyce was asked to assist with clinical leadership at the site. Working in collaboration with Interior Health’s long-term care emergency response team, and in the spirit of being in this together, Dalyce and other leaders came to help, and the outbreak was eventually declared over with no further spread of illness. She’s come a long way since Grade 11 biology, but Dalyce’s creativity and curiosity is helping to keep people safe. When asked how we can be there for her during COVID-19, Dalyce had this advice. “Continue to find creative ways to celebrate the successes, even the little ones. We are all in this together and we must continue to lift each other up and celebrate the amazing work that we are doing to keep everyone safe. This ongoing acknowledgement lets everyone on the team know they are valued, and how we are all doing our part to prevent the spread of infection.”

To say Anne Morgenstern has a strong connection to health-care in Penticton might be putting it a bit lightly. Currently the Clinical Operations Manager in the PRH emergency department, Anne comes from a family of health-care professionals. Her late mother enjoyed a 30 year nursing career, which included a stint working together with her daughter at PRH when Anne was a student nurse. Her father’s side of the family were all born in Penticton, including Anne. Where to get care in Penticton If you need to see a physician within 24 to 48 hours for urgent care, please contact your family physician or nurse practitioner. If you do not have a primary care provider, or your regular care provider is unavailable, you can contact the Penticton Urgent and Primary Care Centre, located at 101-437 Martin St., at 250-770-3696 for an appointment. There are other options available: • Apple Plaza Walk-In - 1848 Main St. – 250-493-5228 • Peach City Medical – 2111 Main St. – 250-276-5050 • Summerland After Hours Clinic – 200-13009 Rosedale Ave. – 250-404-4242 If you require Aboriginal services, please contact: Snxastwilxtn Centre – 198 Outma Sqilx’w Pl. – 250-493-7799 • Ooknakane Friendship Centre – 146 Ellis St. – 250-490-3404 Do you need a family doctor or nurse practitioner? • Register online for the South Okanagan Patient Attachment List. And there was that time when she was six and ended up at PRH after a scuffle with her brother resulted in a severed finger and a trip to the emergency department. “I remember quite clearly as a six-year-old being in the ED which was three stretchers at the time,” says Anne. “Where we have come since then is quite remarkable. We have slowly expanded, but this particular expansion is going to be amazing. So many things are going to improve, especially when you are talking about patient safety and patient confidentiality.” The current expansion is part of a major renovation in the PRH emergency department that is Phase 2 of the David E. Kampe Tower project. Renovations are ongoing in the PRH emergency department, along with the pharmacy and the material stores area at PRH. The emergency is getting the most significant upgrade, and will nearly triple in size upon completion.   A new exam room at the Penticton Regional Hospital Emergency Department.“It’s a big increase in the amount of space we will have and that affects all spaces of the ED,” says Anne. “There will be more room for waiting when patients enter the lobby. We’ve worked really hard to gain some efficiencies for patients so they aren’t moving from spot to spot. Each treatment area is a room with a door which improves privacy and enhances infection prevention and control. We’ve added some more comfortable chairs in areas for minor treatment and some recliners which will add to patient comfort.” The emergency department renovation is complex and is taking place in phases to allow for the department to remain open. Another new area is opening at the end of April, however patients may find longer wait times than expected as certain areas need to close to allow renovations to take place. The complexity of the project has meant staff have had to be nimble, keeping patient care front and centre while work has gone on. “I can’t say enough about my team,” says Anne. “When we got into the meat and potatoes of the renovation, we were squeezed with construction all around us. On top of that, we are dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic. There isn’t a day that goes by that staff don’t have to face new challenges. I’m so proud of the patience and resilience of everyone involved. And in the end, patient care is going to be enhanced so we have our eyes on the prize.”   A new waiting room in the new emergency department at Penticton Regional Hospital.While the renovation is underway, people who need emergency care should still attend the department. However, if you need to see a physician within 24 to 48 hours for urgent care, please contact your family physician or nurse practitioner. If you do not have a primary care provider, or your regular care provider is unavailable, you can call the Penticton Urgent and Primary Care Centre, located at 101-437 Martin St., at 250-770-3696 for an appointment. Other options for care include local walk-in clinics: • Apple Plaza Walk-In - 1848 Main St. – 250-493-5228 • Peach City Medical – 2111 Main St. – 250-276-5050 • Summerland After Hours Clinic – 200-13009 Rosedale Ave. – 250-404-4242 If you require Aboriginal services, please contact: • Snxastwilxtn Centre – 198 Outma Sqilx’w Pl. – 250-493-7799 • Ooknakane Friendship Centre – 146 Ellis St. – 250-490-3404Do you need a family doctor or nurse practitioner? • Register online for the South Okanagan Patient Attachment List.  

We are IH is a recognition campaign to spotlight Interior Health employees and medical staff – through pictures and stories. Name: Gillian Lane (She/Her) Worksite: Kelowna Community Health Centre Ancestral Territory: "Syilx" (Saay-ilks) / Okanagan Interior Salish Years of Service: 7 months Job Title: Administrative Assistant, Employee Experience and Staffing Services "Treat others how they want to be treated."- Gillian's favourite quote Gillian’s bright smile, positive attitude, and welcoming demeanour put others at ease. In her role as the Administrative Assistant for Employee Experience and Staffing Services, Gillian continually goes above and beyond to help others. Passionate about working with people, Gillian pursued an education in Human Resources and recently graduated with her Business Administration degree from the Memorial University of Newfoundland. Eager to make a positive difference in the workplace, Gillian is a member of the Employee Voices Advisory Group (EVAG) at Interior Health. The establishment of this group aims to support efforts in promoting an engaged workforce and healthy workplace, where all employees feel included and are able to bring their whole selves to work. Through this important work, Gillian strives to create long-lasting positive impacts at Interior Health. In one short year, Gillian has already influenced the lives of so many as she continues to pursue diversity and inclusion initiatives. “Being a member of the Employee Advisory Group Committee, I have a strong passion for the work being done with that group and am very proud and honoured to be a part of the meaningful work that the committee is responsible for.” –Gillian Lane Born and raised on the East coast of Canada in Newfoundland, Gillian has a great appreciation for the beautiful outdoors and a love for the water. She grew up in a close-knit community, Marystown, surrounded by family. Raised primarily in the coastal city of St. John’s where she met her now-husband who happened to be from her rival small town. They fell in love over their mutual passion for exploring the outdoors and travelling the world. An adventurer at heart, she and her husband moved cross-country from Newfoundland to Kelowna in 2018 chasing the Okanagan lifestyle. Gillian’s easy-going personality pairs adventure with her enthusiasm for being outdoors backcountry camping and hiking with her rescue pup, Skipper. Looking for a new way to enjoy the water, Gillian looks forward to learning to Kayak on the many lakes around the Okanagan. Thank you for all that you do, Gillian! Gillian's nomination keeps the We Are IH loop going: "Chelsea, Administrative Assistant at IH, was relatively new to Kelowna, started at IH just a couple of months before me, and has always been eager to assist me with any questions I have. She is so helpful and thoughtful and very hard working. I think she would be a great person to feature." Stay updated with careers at Interior Health Facebook: Interior Health  |   Instagram: interiorhealthbc |   LinkedIn: Interior Health Authority

Several years ago, Donna Koenig, Food Services Manager for South Okanagan General Hospital, attended a national Indigenous nutrition event at Six Nations in northern Ontario. "There were Elders there from all across Canada--including the Yukon and the Northwest Territories--and it was all about the stories and learning why food is considered to be medicine--and the importance of it." The idea that food is medicine resonated with Donna, who has spent her 40 year career providing nutrition services in health care settings. Across the province, Chef Ben Genaille was on his own journey with Traditional foods. Chef Ben worked as a cook for over 36 year, in both small kitchens and luxury resorts, from the Great Bear Rainforest to the Nisga'a Nation. While working for Vancouver Community College, he developed an Aboriginal Culinary Program. "I've been working to educate whoever will listen on Traditional foods--and the value, the nutritional value, the process."   Traditional foods to be offered in pilot program for Meals at Home Chef Ben was part of a cohort of Traditional Chefs working provincially with the Ministry of Agriculture, the Ministry of Health, and Feed BC when he first met Donna. As they got to know each other, Donna said, "Do I have plans for you!" Donna had just received funding through Nourish BC to develop Traditional recipes in cooperation with Aboriginal partners. The pilot program would introduce these new offerings through Meals at Home, a prepackaged meal service available to people recovering from illness at home. She knew Chef Ben would be the perfect person to lead the project. Over a two week period in March, Chef Ben and the team prepared over 300 meals in accordance with the recipes provided by First Nation and Métis partners. The meals were delivered to eight communities for feedback from Elders and other community members. The Interior Health project team will meet later this month to review the feedback and discuss their next steps. The hope is to expand the pilot project in the future.   Learn more on the Interior Voices podcast.  Learn more Donna, Chef Ben, and the rest of the Food is Medicine team shared details of their work in a recent episode of the Interior Voices podcast. Chef Ben and the Food is Medicine initiative were also recently featured in Why Hospital Food Matters for Reconciliation, a video produced by Nourish Canada. Check out these links to hear the team talk about the initiative in their own words.    

We are creating a brand new website to provide quick and easy access to health information for people living in B.C.’s Interior region. We want to get it right – and we need your help! This website will be designed for the public, by the public. We are grateful to have a public members on this project and a Public Advisory Group -- made up of people like you! -- guiding us towards a person-centred website. If you would like to share your ideas of how the website should look, how information is organized, and what the user experience should be, please complete a short survey by Monday, April 26. We would love to hear from you!

Volunteers make an incredible impact across Interior Health.  Early in the pandemic, volunteer programs were temporarily suspended – and we missed you! For those whose role has changed, or perhaps even been put on pause while we respond to COVID-19, thank you for your continued support. Starting mid-summer, volunteers were able to return to many Interior Health locations in limited ways. Even in smaller numbers, we are grateful for their support. Volunteers have also played key roles at immunization clinics, welcoming and supporting people arriving for their vaccine.   The Value of One, the Power of Many Volunteers are a wonderful example of hope in a time of need. In some ways, the pandemic has motivated many more people across our region to contribute and to volunteer. Whether it’s Interior Health staff, community physicians and health care workers, local businesses or groups of citizens -- so many people have seen opportunities to make a difference. Volunteers are our communities, our supporters and our connections. During a time when we have all been challenged – as family members, as friends, as colleagues – by working together we have persisted. You are welcomed, respected and valued members of the Interior Health care team. Thank you! ~ Susan Brown, Interior Health President & CEO Thank you volunteers for inspiring us through your service.  Video file