We Are IH: Devoted nurse supports mental health & substance use

March 23, 2023

Kristin Lockhart enjoying her backyard on a sunny day.

Name: Kristin Lockhart (she/her/hers)
Job Title: Manager, Clinical Operations, Kootenay Boundary Regional Hospital, Daly Pavilion, Harbour House and McKim Cottage
Years of Service: 26
Community: Works in Trail and Nelson; lives in Castlegar
Ancestral Territory: Syilx, Sinixt and Ktunaxa Nations
Favourite Quote / Advice to live by: Choose to be kind despite the hard challenges, as we never truly know what is going on for another person and we are all in this together.

Kristin Lockhart is a registered nurse (RN) of 26 years. She feels blessed to have worked in a number of positions with Interior Health, both in frontline and leadership, and her true career passion is working in mental health and substance use (MHSU).

In this Story…

Learn more about her journey with IH

Kristin nominates Suzanne Lee, director, clinical operations to keep We Are IH going

Explore mental health and substance use (MHSU) Careers@IH

Learn more about her journey with IH

The face of a woman in a toque, in front of evergreen trees. — Kristin shopping for a Christmas tree, one of her favourite times of the year.

Kristin recently made the change to support operations at Kootenay Boundary Regional Hospital (KBRH), including the Daly Pavilion adult psychiatry in-patient unit (12 beds), Harbour House tertiary mental health (9 beds) and McKim Cottage (six-bed MHSU facility in Nelson).

“Despite many improvements to MHSU services and harm reduction services, there is a lot of work we still need to do every day in terms of reducing stigma and increasing access service points for people that use substances and people seeking support for their mental health and wellness.”

The teams in the Kootenay Boundary MHSU operations continue to lead and provide services with integrity, compassion and genuine care despite all of the challenges we have all had over the last few years. It is a privilege to work alongside them.

-- Kristin Lockhart (she/her/hers)

As a leader, Kristin is focusing on building and improving relationships, and supporting staff to reach their goals. “We don't have all the answers sometimes, and being able to hold space and just be present with staff can make the world of difference. I want to lean into that more so I can get clarity and really understand the pressure points people have. I’m also intentional in laughing daily, and will commit to find ways to bring that to others during the day.”

A girl sits with a beige dog with wavy fur in her lap. — Kristin’s daughter, Mackenzie, with their goldendoodle, Asher.

Kristin feels honoured to do this work, and is committed to learning something new every day – this what makes her work interesting, despite the challenges.

“The MHSU teams are supported by amazing staff in all positions. I want to focus on safety and look for any areas for improvements with a safety lens. I also want to focus on what staff would like in terms of growth and development with education and training so more levelling up can happen.”

Outside of work, Kristin enjoys kayaking, walking, reading, camping, and time with family and friends. She has camped more with her family since the pandemic started, and she’s looking forward to more local outside adventures and getaways.

A man in t-shirt and shorts lays in a hammock in a green yard, with a young girl in a purple outfit sitting up next to him, appearing to be laughing. — Kristin’s husband, Dale, with daughter, Mackenzie – “[It] captures joy in a lovely light.”

“The Kootenays have so much to offer and the beauty of the mountains and lakes is very good for the soul,” she says.

Kristin nominates Suzanne Lee, director, clinical operations to keep We Are IH going

“Suzanne is a leader with humility and integrity. Given the challenges we have all faced over the last few years, she steadily led teams in the Boundary during disastrous flooding and fires, and COVID-19, which not only impacted the residents of the area but lots of staff that still showed to work despite damage to their own homes/ property.” – Kristin Lockhart