We Are IH: Interior Health department builds employee experience

Years of Service: 14
Worksite: Polson Annex
Community: Vernon
Ancestral Territory: Syilx Okanagan

Kim Dedora has worked in Human Resources (HR) at Interior Health for the past 14 years, the last four of which have been as Manager, Employee Experience.

“I consider leading diversity and inclusion and Aboriginal human resources work on behalf of IH to be a great honour. I strive to approach this work with passion, humility and curiosity. Every day in this role brings a new opportunity to make a difference in someone's work life.”

While there are too many highlights in her career to count, Kim considers one of them starting the Employee Voices Advisory Group. The creation of this group was a foundational first step in establishing diversity and inclusion at IH. Also making the list are conducting an Employee Census in 2020, creating IH's Diversity and Inclusion Plan, and working as an HR Business Partner with incredible colleagues on the HR Operations Team.

In her spare time, Kim can be found spending time at Shuswap Lake with her family and playing volleyball!

Kim nominates Dan Macafee, HR Business Partner to keep We Are IH going:

“Dan is an incredible HR professional with loads of experience. He brings humour to difficult work and has been a mentor to many of us in HR. He's simply the best!” – Kim Dedora

Years of Service: 20
Worksite: Community Health & Services Centre
Community: Kelowna
Ancestral Territory: Syilx Okanagan

Tracy Mooney is passionate about human resources (HR), advocacy work and the journey of advancing Aboriginal HR at Interior Health.

“My role on the Employee Experience team, supporting Aboriginal employee experience, allows me to influence change, elevate employee voices, and work on projects aimed at addressing Aboriginal-specific racism and Cultural Safety & Humility in health care.”

One moment in her career that stands out for Tracy is being involved in a powerful research project in partnership with Thompson Rivers University. The research focused on wellness of Indigenous health-care professionals, “and I was proud to stand in solidarity with the research team members – all of whom inspire me – to present the findings to senior leaders here at IH. That was definitely a career highlight.”

Years of Service: 15
Worksite: Community Health & Services Centre
Community: Kelowna
Ancestral Territory: Syilx Okanagan

If Elisa Brown had to choose just one moment she’s most proud of out of the many here at IH, it’s receiving feedback from front-line staff on the Dive In (diversity and inclusion) newsletter, saying they can relate to the stories and felt less 'alone' knowing others have had similar experiences. She also appreciates when staff say they look forward to reading the newsletter as they learn so much.

“It's rewarding work to be able to create space for our employees to have a voice and commit to seeing their authentic voice is heard.”

Read an article originally published in the Dive In newsletter

“I'm drawn to this work as it provides opportunity to influence our IH culture. Supporting onboarding, continuous listening, promoting diversity and fostering inclusion contribute to improving the work life of our employees.”

Elisa nominates Carmen Belanger, Housekeeping Supervisor, to keep We Are IH going:

“Carmen is always there to support her fellow colleagues and shows up every day with a smile, working towards making things better.” – Elisa Brown

Years of Service: 10
Worksite: Cariboo Memorial Hospital
Community: Williams Lake
Ancestral Territory: Secwépemc

Currently a Program Coordinator for Staff Recognition at Cariboo Memorial Hospital, Anna has been with IH for 10 years.

As a goal-oriented person herself, Anna understands the importance of recognition and showing appreciation to staff at Interior Health. 

"Always do one per cent better every day and always be kind," is Anna's favourite quote.

Inspired daily by the tremendous efforts and dedication of staff at IH, Anna continues to pave the way to growing staff recognition. One of her proudest moments at IH is organizing the annual Long Term Service Awards, including pivoting to a virtual platform during the pandemic, and continuing to ensure that Interior Health employees are feeling appreciated for their hard work and dedication.

Years of Service: 7
Worksite: Cariboo Memorial Hospital
Community: Williams Lake
Ancestral Territory: Secwépemc
Favourite Quote / Advice to live by: “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.”

Debbie Beaulieu is passionate about her work. 

“I see the importance and feel the impact my Employee Experience team makes. I am in awe of the dedication and pride my team displays.”

Debbie feels fortunate to be able to support Interior Health's continued movement towards a more inclusive health-care system, where diversity, inclusion and addressing Aboriginal-specific racism are a recognized priority at all levels of the organization.

“My most memorable moments at IH are when we employees pulled together as a team through trying times. For example, evacuations due to forest fires and floods. And the continuous procedure and policy changes due to the numerous variants during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Debbie nominates Shirlie Hatt, Aboriginal Recruiter, to keep We Are IH going:

“Shirlie should be featured in We Are IH as she is a huge asset to IH for the recruitment and retention of Aboriginal job seekers and employees.” – Debbie Beaulieu

Years of Service: 4 months
Worksite: Community Health & Services Centre
Community: Kelowna
Ancestral Territory: Syilx Okanagan
Favourite Quote / Advice to live by: “What would you do if you could not fail?”

Fairly new to the Employee Experience team (and IH!), Aasia Paterson says that her coworkers have created or initiated impactful learning tools, ideas, concepts and collective positive changes. She’s proud to be part of a team that holds so many accomplishments and successes from their handiwork. She is looking forward to being part of the continuous momentum of providing a safe and inclusive work culture. This includes learning and implementing best practices of Section 42 and the Aboriginal Human Resources Plan.

“Both my professional and personal aspirations are to be part of an individual’s employment journey to find their own means of success, which looks different to everyone. My role allows me to be a co-creator in these moments, outcomes and unrealized aspirations.”

Aasia nominates Shirlie Hatt, Aboriginal Recruiter, to keep We Are IH going:

“If not for Shirlie I would have not applied for my current position as an Aboriginal Employment Advisor. I am beyond grateful for her continuous commitment in supporting and or navigating candidates to their own aspirations of having a career within Interior Health.” – Aasia Paterson

Employee Experience is a small but mighty team with a big passion for creating welcoming and inclusive workplaces for all employees. Some of the team’s initiatives and work include:

• Arranging Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Education for staff – to date 3,836 staff have signed up for free courses offered to employees.
• Writing and sourcing content for the Dive In (diversity and inclusion) newsletter, published each quarter
• Facilitating, organizing and supporting the Employee Voices Advisory Group (IH’s Diversity and Inclusion Committee)
• Running the Employee Census and Inclusion Survey
• Supporting and creating promotions for inclusive awareness days such as National Truth and Reconciliation Day (Orange Shirt), Pride, and International Day for Persons with Disabilities
• Leading change by addressing system barriers:
  • In June 2022, IH introduced a third gender option ‘X’ for employees and dependents
  • Developed IH’s Anti-Racism Policy
  • Created two new Aboriginal Employment Advisor positions to support Aboriginal job seekers and employees in navigating the application processes and career exploration in the field of health care
• Hosting the award-winning Interior Voices Podcast
• Managing the staff recognition program
  • Random Acts of Appreciation and Recognition (RAAR!), IH’s online peer-to-peer recognition platform
  • Long-Term Service Recognition, including service pins, lanyards, and gifts
  • Support for the We Are IH features, in partnership with IH’s Communications team

Say hello – we’re here to listen!