We Are IH: Castlegar nurse happy with where career has taken her

January 19, 2023

Tasha Kanigan, regional lead for primary care with Interior Health.

Name: Tasha Kanigan (she/her/hers)
Job Title: Regional lead for primary care
Years of Service: 10
Worksite: Castlegar Health Centre
Community: Castlegar
Ancestral Territory: Converging territory of the Sinixt, Syilx, Ktunaxa, Secwepemc peoples in the Kootenay Boundary
Advice to live by: No matter the challenges that life presents, always look for the positive learning opportunities that come about and make every day a reason to smile.

When Tasha Kanigan went into nursing, she didn't imagine the “endless opportunities” that her career would bring. Nearly 11 years into her career, Tasha is now the regional lead for primary care with Interior Health (IH).

“I feel so fortunate that I have been able to work with and support clients from across the lifespan, and work with many professionals and teams that are all striving to do the best that they can to provide optimal care to their clients,” she said. “I am continually inspired by the stories that I hear about the work we do.”

In this Story…

Learn more about her journey with IH

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Learn more about her journey with IH

According to Tasha, she has been described by many people as “positive” and “bubbly.” She thinks of herself as “open-minded” and “optimistic.”

I value and strive to show integrity with all that I do, and truly believe that a growth mindset is key to building and maintaining great teams.

-- Tasha Kanigan

These traits were evident in work Tasha has done recently to support the oncology teams in the Kootenay Boundary region with a redesign of services.

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

“What made me so proud was how the interdisciplinary team came together with one goal: supporting their patients with continuity of quality care,” Tasha said. “While the work was extensive and timeline short, I truly believe that the goal supported so many people to come together and make it happen.

"Our health-care system is under continuous change, and while with change comes discomfort, coming together and highlighting the purpose of our work can bring teams together and effectively support the evolution of our work.”

A scenic picture of mountains. — A photo captured by Tasha of the scenic views in the Kootenay Boundary region.

Tasha is excited to continue her journey with IH.

I am hopeful for where my career takes me in the future. I love working for Interior Health; the people make the place and I am so lucky to be part of an amazing team.

-- Tasha Kanigan

Tasha has lots of hobbies outside of work. In the winter you can find her at the hockey rink watching her boys, or downhill or cross-country skiing in the mountains. She focuses on biking in the spring, and swimming in the summer. She notes that all of her hobbies surround her family: her husband and two boys that she “loves spending time with.”

A person in skiing gear takes a selfie while on a chair lift. — Tasha rides the chair lift while skiing at Red Mountain in Rossland.

“I'm an extrovert and an open book, so many people know lots about me,” Tasha said. “What some may not know is that I love to forage in nature. The first signs of spring bring shoots of false solomon’s seal and morel mushrooms, and cooking these delicious gifts from nature ground me in gratitude for what we have and our responsibility to care for nature and our environment so that it can continue to provide for all of earth's creatures.”

Tasha nominates Ksenia Forde, Community Integration Care Coordinator to keep We Are IH going:

"Ksenia doesn't give herself the credit she is due for bringing together and supporting our Primary Care Network team in the Kootenay Boundary," Tasha said. "She tirelessly supports everyone and asks for nothing in return. She's an amazing co-worker and I think she should be nominated to share her story."