Name: Carnation Nonhlanhla Zhuwaki (she/her/hers)
Job Title: Knowledge Facilitator
Years of Service: 4
Worksite: Vernon Health Unit
Community: Vernon
Ancestral Territory: syilx/Okanagan
Favourite Quote / Advice to live by: My favourite quote is from my mother, "Approach life with a humble and teachable spirit, because life is a wheel: sometimes you're at the top, sometimes you’re at the bottom."
Carnation Zhuwaki works for Interior Health (IH) as a knowledge coordinator based at the Vernon Health Unit. She started working at IH four years ago as an Emergency Department registered nurse and transitioned to her current role in 2021.
Carnation believes everyone has a gift and a purpose—something they are good at. “Some people are aware of it, and some need a little encouragement to own their gift,” she says. “I enjoy identifying and encouraging others to explore their gifts.” She envisions a world where every person can show up as their authentic self, be seen and feel accepted.