Name: Ryan Benson (she/her/hers)
Job Title: Improvement Consultant
Years of Service: 14
Worksite: Community Health & Services Centre
Community: Kelowna
Ancestral Territory: Syilx
Advice to live by: “Life is short – use the good china.” - Unknown
As an Improvement Consultant with Interior Health, Ryan Benson likes to bring positivity and a sense of a can-do attitude to everything she encounters in her day.
Ryan feels lucky her role allows her to work with every discipline in Interior Health, and be able to affect change and see the results in real time.
“It is really rewarding and fulfilling to know that I am making a difference.”
Receiving her certification as Lean Implementation Specialist is one of the highlights of Ryan’s career so far at IH. Lean is a mindset of continuous improvement. It’s a systemic approach to identifying and eliminating waste or non-value-added activities to provide the best possible services for people and their families.
Ryan after earning her certification as Lean Implementation Specialist
One of Ryan’s coworkers said it best:
"I call [Ryan] a magician because she truly has every trick up her sleeve to get a job done. If she doesn't know something, you can bet she knows who does. She has an infectious sense of humour and when you're in her presence, you can guarantee you'll have a great laugh and still get your work done. I've watched her grow over the years and there is no limit to what she can do."
Ryan recently expanded her hobbies by taking up guitar lessons. In her free time, she also enjoys camping with her family, cooking and travelling to new locations. In fact, once pandemic restrictions ease further, Ryan is hoping to travel to Barkerville during the summer to learn more about B.C.’s diverse history.
Ryan visiting the Icefields Parkway in Alberta with her son, Zac
Ryan nominates Kelly Catherwood, Improvement Consultant to keep We Are IH going:
“Kelly goes above and beyond on a daily basis. She was key in implementing drinkingwaterforeveryone.ca, where people can go and look up any water advisories for the Interior Health region. She also coordinated mobile vaccination clinics in the South Okanagan region.” – Ryan Benson
Sept. 30 marks Orange Shirt Day & the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. Our Indigenous staff & colleagues got together to share why they wear orange.
/stories/why-we-wear-orange-national-truth-and-reconciliation-day
Natalie’s always been empathetic to people in all their moments, leading her to a career of connection – to patients, and to Indigenous ancestors.
/stories/we-are-ih-guided-connection-indigenous-patient-care
PreVenture is a research-backed Canadian program that equips students ages 12-16 with decision-making tools and skills that promote mental well-being.
/stories/program-helps-prevent-youth-substance-use-expand-bc
Xavier Gomes is the head of Dietary and Environmental Services for the East Kootenays. He’s fulfilled by contributing to patients’ comfort & recovery.
/stories/we-are-ih-patients-gratitude-motivates-support-services-manager
Lab testing is the highest volume activity in medical care. Labs have long been overlooked as a climate action opportunity. A small team at IH is changing that.
/stories/how-small-team-ih-making-lab-testing-services-greener
For nearly 3 decades, a small playroom in CMH emergency has been a sanctuary for children and families. Today, Avril’s Room is being reimagined in the new ED.
/stories/honouring-avril-legacy-hope-cariboo-memorial-hospital
Receive news, alerts, public service announcements and articles right to your inbox.
