We Are IH: Nurse runs marathons, travels the world to help kids

November 23, 2023

Brandy hiking Cathedral Provincial Park, also known as Cathedral Lakes, in Keremeos

Name: Brandy Hagel (she/her/hers)
Job Title: Registered Nurse
Years of Service: 5 ½
Worksite: Kelowna General Hospital Pediatrics
Community: Kelowna
Ancestral Territory: Syilx
Favourite Quote / Advice to live by: “If you put your mind to it, anything is possible.”

Brandy Hagel, the registered nurse (RN) from Kelowna General Hospital who took to social media to reunite a pediatric patient with their stuffed bunny, has always loved working with kids. She has also always been the type of person who goes out of her way to make a positive difference in someone’s day.

So much so that in 2017 she combined her passion for running and desire to help others by taking on the challenge of running an ultra-marathon across Haiti to raise money for low-income families. She ran a total of 226 kilometres in just six days!

Naturally, her empathetic, caring nature and desire to work with children ultimately led her to a career as a RN in pediatrics.

“It is so rewarding to know that you are making a positive impact in someone’s day, and kids are the most resilient people I know. I love being able to help them understand that their illness doesn’t define them while we work together to get them healthy again.”

In this Story…

Learn more about her journey with IH

Brandy Hagel nominates Laura-lee Regnier, Patient Care Coordinator to keep We Are IH going

Explore nursing Careers@IH

Learn more about her journey with IH

Woman with a big smile on her face laughing as she is hugging a small boy in a dinosaur helmet — Brandy loving that hugs are the universal love language in Menelas, Haiti

Brandy’s journey into health care started when she was attending UBC Okanagan (UBCO). While pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology at UBCO, she was given a unique opportunity to study abroad in Tanzania for two months.

In Tanzania, Brandy and her colleagues learned about traditional and non-traditional gardening methods from the locals. Brandy and her colleagues then went to the local schools to share what they had learned with grade six students. In doing so, these students were given the knowledge and tools to be sustainable farmers.

A particular school visit impacted the direction of her career path significantly. One day the group paid a visit to a segregated school for HIV-positive children. The students were not only sick but isolated and alone because of it. It was a heartbreaking for Brandy to see. She decided at that moment she had to do whatever she could to help.

After returning from Tanzania in 2014, Brandy graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and then graduated with her Bachelor of Science in Nursing in 2018. Her trip to Tanzania was an impactful experience that led her to a nursing career in pediatrics.

Woman standing in running gear holding a medal — Brandy at the Ottawa Tamarack marathon – 2023 – Boston qualifier

When Brandy isn’t working you will find her heading out for a run with her six-year-old dog Cosmo. Running is the perfect sport for this motivated, self-disciplined nurse who loves a good challenge. In fact, she was just accepted into the Chicago Marathon while she was already training to run the Boston Marathon, where she aims to accomplish her biggest life goal yet!

“I love running because it’s an area of my life where I can consistently set emotional and physical goals that I can accomplish. It’s a self-gratifying sport that energizes and grounds me. It’s my biggest form of therapy. When I’m running I have the time to be with my thoughts and work through things that I am struggling with. It’s been such a catalyst in my life for staying positive.”

-- Brandy Hagel (she/her/hers)

Brandy Hagel nominates Laura-lee Regnier, Patient Care Coordinator to keep We Are IH going

“I’d like to nominate Laura-lee Regnie, our patient care coordinator, because she is our unit mom who takes care of her staff and her patients. She is someone who always has such positive energy and the love and empathy she has for everyone is so impactful. She goes above and beyond what’s expected in her role.” – Brandy Hagel