We are IH: Project coordinator making an impact behind the scenes

August 7, 2025

Sarah in her backyard during her daily Bible study.

Name: Sarah Kozin (she/her/hers)
Job Title: Project Coordinator - Digital Health
Length of Service: 12
Worksite: Kelowna Community Health and Services Centre
Community: Vernon
Ancestral Territory: syilx
Favourite Quote / Advice to Live By: Romans 8:28
And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.

For Sarah Kozin, making a difference isn’t about being in the spotlight: it’s about knowing that her work, whether big or small, helps improve care for patients, families and communities. That quiet drive, paired with a deep sense of purpose, has shaped her 12-year journey with Interior Health.

Based in Vernon, B.C., where she has lived her entire life, Sarah is a project coordinator with Digital Health. She’s worked across a variety of roles, building strong relationships, deepening her skills and staying grounded in what brought her to health care in the first place.

“I pursued a career in health care because it is deeply personal to me,” she says. “My own mother is a two-time cancer survivor, and witnessing her journey and the incredible support we received from the health-care team showed me just how vital a strong, compassionate and effective health-care system is.

“It was through those challenging times that I truly understood the power of a dedicated care team in supporting not just individuals but entire families and communities.

“Every step I take to support and improve health care has a ripple effect that helps patients, families and entire communities. That connection fuels me. It reminds me why I show up every day and why I continue to push myself to do better for the system, for the people in it, and for everyone who depends on it.”

In this Story…

Learn more about Sarah’s journey with IH

Explore Digital Health Careers@IH

Learn more about Sarah’s journey with IH

Person sits in a hammock and smiles while reading a book. — Sarah camping at Sugar Lake in Cherryville, B.C.

Sarah is a first generation Canadian whose family immigrated to Canada in search of a better life. She carries that gratitude with her every day. Living and working on the traditional, unceded territory of the syilx Nation has deeply shaped her understanding of reconciliation, especially in the context of health care.

Reconciliation, to me, means recognizing the lived experiences of Indigenous Peoples. I grow in my reconciliation journey by listening and learning from those experiences, by hearing stories and testimonies and ensuring they are passed on from generation to generation. It is about listening, learning and taking meaningful action.

-- Sarah Kozin

Her career began at Vernon Jubilee Hospital as a nursing unit assistant. Since then, she’s worked in long-term care, supported program leave management, and held several excluded roles. During the COVID-19 pandemic, when her team was significantly reduced, she stepped into leadership and adapted quickly to meet the demands of the time.

“Those experiences helped me build a diverse skill set, expand my network, and develop strong relationships with colleagues,” she says.

Now in Digital Health, Sarah supports project managers by helping standardize tools and templates, streamline processes, and support projects as they roll out across the region. She works closely with the Project Management Office to ensure quality and consistency across teams.

Family, including a baby and two toddlers, and five adults, pose and smile in front of a statue of a fish. Some hold ice cream cones. — Sarah at the Calgary Zoo this past June with her sisters (Emma and Abigail), their husbands (Josh and Nico), and three of her nieces (Lauryn, Olivia, and Kate).

“What inspires me is knowing that the role I play, no matter how big or small, helps make health care better for everyone,” she says. “That understanding pushes me to continue striving for improvement every day.”

One of her proudest moments at IH was supporting Emergency Operations Command during the 2021 and 2023 wildfire seasons. Despite the long hours and back-to-back shifts, she says the experience reminded her of what collaboration and compassion look like under pressure.

“It was incredible to witness the dedication, resilience and compassion from my colleagues as we worked together to support one another,” she says. “It reminded me that even in the most difficult times, we’re all here for the same reason: to make a difference.”

Outside of work, Sarah enjoys camping with her family, reading, serving in her church, and spending time outdoors. She’s fluent in Russian, a skill she continues to practise with family and friends. She’s also guided by her faith and draws strength from scripture, particularly during uncertain times.

She’s looking forward to serving at her church’s annual youth camp this summer and enjoying time outdoors camping. Professionally, she’s excited to continue growing in the role she began in early 2025.

To me, inclusion, belonging and accessibility are about creating an environment where everyone feels welcome, valued and able to fully participate.

-- Sarah Kozin

At the centre of everything she does is faith and family.

“Faith and family are incredibly important to me. It’s the foundation that keeps me grounded,” she says. “Whether it’s spending time together or supporting each other through life’s challenges, I cherish those moments deeply.”