We Are IH: Support services manager enjoys the Kootenay lifestyle

July 10, 2023

Heather Jane Johnson loves living in the Kootenays.

Name: Heather Jane Johnson (she/her/hers)
Job Title: Manager, Support Services
Years of Service: 5
Worksite: Kootenay Lake Hospital
Community: Nelson
Ancestral Territory: Ktunaxa Territory
Favourite Quote / Advice to live by: “My current manager taught me this one and I often see its relevance in my everyday work: 'Less is more.”

Whether she’s leading and inspiring others in her role as Support Services manager, or riding her motorcycle through the mountains of the Kootenays, Heather Jane Johnson is passionate about living life to the fullest.

In this Story…

Get to know Heather Jane

Learn more about her journey with IH

Heather Jane nominates Brenda Kolcun, EK/KB Staffing Portfolio Clerk to keep We Are IH going

Explore support services Careers@IH

Get to know Heather Jane

Born and raised in Alberta, Heather Jane grew up in a small prairie town called Bentley. A first-generation Canadian, her mother escaped from East Germany as a young person, and her father was born in Scotland.

She entered the workforce at 17, serving in the artillery in the Canadian military reserves, and went to college in Newfoundland where she studied food service and nutrition management.

A woman rides a red motorcycle. — Heather Jane loves riding motorcycles on mountain roads.

She now calls Nelson home, having lived in the Kootenays for 16 years. She takes full advantage of the outdoor-loving Kootenay lifestyle. Drawn to adventure, if she’s not in the office, she’s often in the backcountry exploring – from camping to boating, to birdwatching and photography.

In the summer, you can find her riding her motorcycles on winding mountain roads, and in the winter you can often catch her downhill skiing at Whitewater. She loves gardening, golfing, and spending time with her four amazing children.

Woman and child sit on chair lift wearing goggles, helmets, and warm clothing. The woman gives a thumbs-up — In the winter, Heather Jane loves to go downhill skiing.

Open-minded and fun-loving, Heather Jane loves to travel, especially with her partner. They love to visit Mexico and Palm Springs, and have upcoming trips booked to the Cayman Islands and Hawaii.

Learn more about her journey with IH

Heather Jane’s empathetic, compassionate nature has enabled her to serve and support both people in her community, and the staff she manages. What Heather Jane loves most about being a manager in health care is “the ability to serve people when they need it most. The health care they receive is a critical piece in their recovery.”

I am a manager because I want to lead and inspire others to be their best selves, and know that they are appreciated, so that we can provide outstanding service and quality care. Support Services provides vital services to our patients, clients and residents.

-- Heather Jane Johnson (she/her/hers)

One of Heather Jane’s proudest moments in her career at IH was working as a Support Services supervisor when she and her team successfully completed a code green at the Kimberley Special Care Home.

A family of five sit together outside. Two young men, a young boy, a young woman, and a mother holding the young boy smile to camera. — Outside of work, Heather Jane loves to spend time with her beautiful family.

Heather Jane is proud when she's able to guide and support members of her team in their careers, and see them move up and succeed. She’s also exceptionally proud of situations where she’s been able to help employees who have struggled, and help them turn things around through positivity and coaching. Heather Jane is grateful for the amazing people she’s worked with throughout her career at Interior Health.

I have learned that appreciation appreciates. The more I can find to be grateful for, the more I have to be grateful for. I am truly thankful for all the mentors and leaders I have worked with so far in my career with IH and I am looking forward to one day being as good as they are.

-- Heather Jane Johnson (she/her/hers)

Heather Jane nominates Brenda Kolcun, EK/KB Staffing Portfolio Clerk to keep We Are IH going

“Brenda is incredibly devoted to her work and is a wealth of knowledge and wisdom. Brenda is such an asset to us in support services as she works so hard to help us meet all of our staffing needs.”

– Heather Jane Johnson