Celebrating women at Interior Health

March 8, 2023

We know that representation matters in health care. Women play an integral role in teams within Interior Health sites, departments, projects, and education. At every level, there are contributions made by women to improve the health and well-being of our communities.

Women hold a number of key leadership roles at Interior Health including president & CEO, as members of the board of directors, and medical chiefs of staff. More than 1,000 of the physicians working at health-care facilities in our region are women.

“Within Interior Health, I think we have done quite well in this space. We have female leaders at all levels and we have wage parity,” says Susan Brown, president & CEO of Interior Health. “However, there is always room for improvement by making it easy for those who want to advance by, for example, making childcare more accessible. What is really important is that we are using our employee feedback to advance in this area."

This year the Government of Canada's theme for International Women's Day is Every Woman Counts.

“For me, it’s that not everything women do will be visible to others, or even readily acknowledged. There are a lot of working women out there who juggle full plates every day, at work and at home! It’s not always easy, but the work women do is meaningful and makes a difference to individuals and communities,” says Susan.

In honour of International Women's Day on March 8, 2023, we're profiling four of the amazing women at Interior Health.

In this Story…

Marilyn Ransome, Kamloops

Tasha Kanigan, Castlegar

Dooshima Jessica Iyorchir, Kelowna

Michelle Plenderleith, Golden

Marilyn Ransome, Kamloops

Marilyn hanging out in the big chair at Sun Peaks, where she spent the day hiking and snow shoeing

A registered nurse, Community Integration Coordinator Marilyn Ransome has worked at IH for 10 years and provides direction and oversight for the day-to-day operations of home health in Kamloops. Marilyn is a great leader and says she learned how to stand up for herself and the importance of team-work during her time as a medic in the Army Reserves. She is an avid hiker and loves the outdoors. Besides being an advocate for her team, Marilyn describes herself as determined, hardworking and easy to laugh.

Tasha Kanigan, Castlegar

A woman in cycling gear sitting on a bike, with mountains in the background. — Tasha cycling in Castlegar.

As regional lead for primary care, Tasha Kanigan is an outgoing and open-minded leader who is always on the look-out for a positive learning opportunity. While she leads a busy team in an area of near-constant change, she says “coming together and highlighting the purpose of our work can bring teams together and effectively support the evolution of our work.” Tasha loves exploring the local mountains and spending time with her husband and two boys.

Dooshima Jessica Iyorchir, Kelowna

A woman cooking in the kitchen, wearing an apron that reads King of the Grill. — Dooshima showing off her skills and passion for cooking.

As a student data analyst pursuing her post-graduate diploma for marketing and data analytics, Dooshima Jessica Iyorchir has already accomplished much in her short time at Interior Health – but she is far from stopping! Rather, she believes there is nothing she can’t accomplish and she is committed to “continue climbing to greater heights.”

Michelle Plenderleith, Golden

A woman on cross-country skis posing for a picture on a winter trail. — Michelle cross-country skiing at Dawn Mountain.

For Golden-based unit clerk Michelle Plenderleith, a fast-paced setting, fabulous coworkers and helping patients add up to a great time at work. A self-described eternal optimist, not even the COVID-19 pandemic could get her down.

“Nothing has felt overwhelming. We've just been taking it one day at a time and making it work,” she says.

In her spare time, this adventurous woman takes advantage of the beautiful outdoors in Golden; you can find her running, cross-country skiing, camping or paddle boarding, depending on the season.