We Are IH: LPN dedicated to making a difference in people’s lives

February 8, 2024

Kim at the Grand Roman Theatre in Pompei, Naples, Italy.

Name: Kim Young (she/her/hers)
Job Title: Licenced Practical Nurse
Years of Service: 16.5
Worksite: Cottonwoods Care Centre and Brookhaven Care Centre
Community: West Kelowna
Ancestral Territory: Syilx Nation
Favourite Quote / Advice to live by: “Live, laugh, love” and “Be the person people will remember and appreciate”

Meet Kim Young, a compassionate licensed practical nurse (LPN) with an impressive 16.5 years of service at Interior Health (IH). Born and raised in Kelowna, which is situated on the ancestral territory of the Syilx Nation, Kim wholeheartedly serves her hometown community through her dedication working with tracheostomy and ventilator-dependent patients at Cottonwoods Care Centre, while also working in dementia care at Brookhaven Care Centre.

In this Story…

Learn more about her journey with IH

Explore Nursing Careers@IH

Learn more about her journey with IH

Smiling woman with long blonde hair wearing black top and sunglasses with man wearing blue ballcap, sunglasses and t-shirt, hugging dog, with lake, mountains and clouds in background — Kim with Kobe the dog and husband Stace hiking to the bridge lookout in Rose Valley Regional Park.

What truly inspires Kim about her career is the knowledge that her patients receive exceptional care and attention. Witnessing her patients smile and express their gratitude brings warmth to her heart, knowing she has made a positive impact on their lives.

Nursing has always made me feel like I can make a difference in people’s lives.

-- Kim Young

One of Kim’s proudest moments as an LPN was when a patient’s family wrote an incredible thank you letter to IH. The letter commended her exceptional nursing care for a ventilated patient whom she cared for over three years. The heartfelt appreciation was made public, showcasing the profound impact Kim had on both the patient and their family.

Recently, Kim made an exciting career change by opting for a casual position, granting her the flexibility to plan vacations and spend quality time with her husband, Stace. As both work shift jobs, this change has allowed them to align their schedules. Last fall, they had the best trip of a lifetime to Italy and Croatia, fulfilling a bucket list adventure that Kim has had for over a decade.

A couple, blonde woman wearing sunglasses, black top and shorts and beige sandals, and a man wearing black top, shorts and sandals, stand on stairs next to a wall overlooking houses — Kim and Stace on the Dubrovnik City Great Wall in Croatia.

Outside of nursing, Kim indulges in her adventurous spirit. Whether it’s gliding down snow-covered slopes, paddleboarding on serene waters, exploring hiking trails, or discovering new destinations, Kim embraces life to the fullest. In addition to her active lifestyle, Kim has a talent for photography, capturing beautiful moments for her friends and family.

Smiling woman with long blonde hair wearing black top and sunglasses stands with stone wall — Kim at the Adriatic Sea in Polignano a Mare, Puglia, Italy.

Looking ahead, Kim is eager for the day when health-care staffing challenges lessen, and looks forward to her well-deserved retirement.

Smiling woman with long blonde hair wearing black top and sunglasses with man wearing grey t-shirt and sunglasses, with canal water, boats and houses in the background — Kim and Stace at the Grand Canal in Venice, Italy.

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