We are IH: Making a difference on the front lines in Kamloops

July 31, 2025

Jessica relaxing with her dog Blu.

Name: Jessica Calder (she/her/hers)
Job Title: Medical Office Assistant (UPCLC) and Peer Volunteer (MHSU)
Length of Service: 2-plus years
Worksite: Kamloops South Shore Urgent Primary Care and Learning Centre (UPCLC) & Kamloops community
Community: Kamloops
Ancestral Territory: Secwépemc

Jessica Calder experiences health care’s front line through different angles in her positions with Interior Health.

She works full-time as a medical office assistant (MOA) at the Kamloops South Shore Urgent Primary Care and Learning Centre, where she interacts with patients looking to see a health-care professional for their concerns.

A Kamloops resident for 37 years, Jessica gets out into the community as a Peer Support Volunteer for Mental Health & Substance Use (MHSU) on her days off. She said this role involves a lot of walking around downtown Kamloops, checking in on people and seeing if they need anything, and handing out harm reduction supplies.

“I love to help others, especially the vulnerable population and people who may be experiencing homelessness,” Jessica says. “I work in health care as a Peer and a MOA because I can give back. I had a staff member at MHSU recommend me as a Peer and I’m so grateful that she did."

In this Story…

Learn more about Jessica’s journey with IH

Explore medical office assistant Careers@IH

Learn more about Jessica’s journey with IH

Jessica (left) and Gaudenza Ramunno (overdose prevention nurse with MHSU) at a booth at the Kamloops Farmers' Market to hand out naloxone and provide naloxone training.

You may have seen Jessica and other Peer Volunteers around Kamloops with their wagon full of harm reduction supplies, water and snacks. They hand items out to people in need, make connections and provide services, or help connect people to other services.

Sometimes it’s just about having a conversation and letting someone be heard and letting them know that we care about them.

-- Jessica Calder

Jessica also attends the Kamloops Farmers' Market to hand out naloxone and provide naloxone training alongside Gaudenza Ramunno, an overdose prevention nurse with MHSU.

Asked about her proudest or most memorable moment at IH, Jessica said “there’s too many to name one.”

“Everyday that I help someone is a proud and memorable moment,” she says. “Knowing that I can make a difference in a person’s life in a positive way gives me purpose. Making connections with other people motivates me.”

Jessica knows there’s stigma surrounding people who use substances or engage in high-risk behaviour. which can make people feel judged and alone and can prevent them from accessing health services. She’s happy that her work gets to tackle this stigma.

I just enjoy getting people the care they that they deserve and helping break the stigma that exists. Everyone should be treated with kindness, compassion and respect, and should have not judgment or stigma attached to them.

-- Jessica Calder

Outside of work, Jessica enjoys spending time with her family and taking their dogs for a walk. She says her two daughters are her “proudest accomplishments.” Jessica also has a musical flair—she knows how to play the alto and tenor saxophones and is learning to play the guitar with her grandma.

A selfie of a person in the driver's seat of a vehicle with a dog sticking its tongue out in the passenger seat. — Jessica taking her dog Blu for a ride.

Jessica looks forward to studying to become a registered nurse or licensed practical nurse and is excited to continue her health-care journey. “I’ve always enjoyed helping people and making a difference.”