Providing a unique perspective on Interior Health website

“I spent numerous years volunteering with the Canadian Society for Medical Laboratory Science organization,” says Maria. “It’s an organization that advocates for all the medical laboratory technologists in Canada. When I retired from work, I became involved with the Patient Voices Network. What I’m doing now with the public website project is patient advocacy.”  

Maria is one of several members of the public who lent their voices and perspectives to the design of Interior Health's new person-centred website.

“I wear many hats when I’m thinking about the public website project,” says Maria. “I try to use those different perspectives to help me contribute ideas and perspectives that might not have been considered otherwise. For example, my mother is 85 and English is not her first language. She doesn’t always understand health information. As well, one of my children had mental health challenges, so I know what it’s like to manoeuvre through the system looking for information and support.

“I think part of my responsibility in this role is to use those perspectives to ensure we’re creating a website full of information that people will understand and find useful. I bring an empathetic and human aspect to the work and it feels good to have my perspective considered and listened to.”

Improving health care is a team effort. In Partners Make us Better, we get to know people like Maria who partner with us at Interior Health to improve care for everyone in our region.

When asked how she likes to be described in her role with Interior Health, Maria says, “I think of myself as a patient partner. You can call me anything, but I do consider myself a patient and one who partners with Interior Health.” 

Maria and a team of dedicated members of the public contributed their ideas, hopes and time the design of the new Interior Health website. To learn more about their work, read Check out your new website.