Name: Ilka Stoyanova Chobanova (she/her/hers)
Job Title: Registered Nurse, Peripherally Inserted Central Catheter (PICC)
Length of Service: 18 years
Worksite: Royal Inland Hospital
Community: Kamloops
Ancestral Territory: Secwépemc
Favourite Quote / Advice to Live By: My favourite word is “Today.” My favorite quote is by Maya Angelou: "Do the best you can until you know better. Then, when you know better, do better." My philosophy is to do the right thing when nobody is watching; it’s the definition of integrity and one of the pillars of my moral code.
When Ilka Chobanova immigrated to Canada in 2003, she didn’t know how to speak English. Three and a half years later, she started working as a registered nurse (RN) with Interior Health.
“I remember feeling quite stressed when I had to talk on the phone with my health-care colleagues,” says Ilka, who was an internationally educated RN and had worked in Bulgaria and Germany. “At one point, I wanted to create a ‘survival kit’ for the future internationally educated nurses.”
Nearly 20 years since her IH career began, Ilka has made a tremendous impact. She specializes in peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC) nursing. She assists patients when IV access is needed for bloodwork, CT scans or even chemotherapy treatments.
She was a 2025 regional winner for Western Canada in the CVAA/BD Excellence in Vascular Access Management & Infusion Therapy Awards. The awards recognize the important contributions made in vascular access management and infusion therapy practice with a focus on peripheral IV therapy. It was the first time a team member from Royal Inland Hospital (RIH) has been recognized with the award.
Learn more about Ilka’s journey with IH
Ilka started off her career at RIH by working in the pediatric department. She spent 15 years in that area of the hospital and looks back at it fondly.
“I felt very supported there,” Ilka says.
Ilka has been working as a full-time PICC RN for almost four years. She has become a champion of evidence-based best practices in PICC insertion. Her specialized skill set has ensured exceptional outcomes for patients across RIH and the Thompson-Cariboo region, ensuring children and their families can receive expert treatment closer to home.
Her advocacy for best practices has led to reduced catheter-related complications, improved device longevity, and enhanced patient outcomes.
It is a privilege to help others in their most vulnerable time. The gratitude in my patients’ eyes and my contribution to vessel preservation gives me a sense of purpose in my work.
Ilka continues to work hard to improve vascular access at RIH and wants to form an advanced vascular access team for pediatric patients. She's been able to help younger and younger children with central catheter insertions.
When Ilka isn’t working, you’ll often find her hiking with her family. She also enjoys listening to classical music with her “wonderful husband” Dimiter, or reading and working on different projects with her “awesome” 10-year-old daughter Geragana. She's also passionate about jazz music.
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