Community & Culture

We Are IH: Vernon rehab assistant is on the trail to achieve her goals

September 15, 2022
Brandy at the radio tower on the High Rim Trail in the North Okanagan.

Name: Brandy Martin (she/her/hers)
Job Title: Central Functions Rehabilitation Assistant
Years of Service: 25
Worksite: Vernon Jubilee Hospital
Community: Vernon
Ancestral Territory: Syilx
Advice to live by: You have to have a work-life balance.

Brandy Martin, a central functions rehabilitation assistant, was born in Medicine Hat, Alta. She moved to Vernon, B.C., in 1987 and has been working at Interior Health for more than two decades.

“As a health-care worker for the past 25 years, and a JOHSC [Joint Occupational Health & Safety Committee] co-chair for the past year, I have come to really appreciate working with others that have a good work ethic and are willing to work collaboratively together to achieve the same goals.”

Learn more about her journey with IH

Woman and man hiking in nature with trees.
Brandy and her husband, Owen, hiking at King Edward Lake in the Okanagan

Brandy especially enjoys her role when she can make a true difference in someone’s day-to-day life by providing them with support.

I feel proud when a co-worker knows that they can come to me to help them problem-solve a situation, help to get a task done that requires an extra set of hands or just listen to them when they are struggling. I’m proud that people know they can count on me to do my best to help them.

-- Brandy Martin

Outside of work, running (especially on trails) is a big part of Brandy’s life, which she primarily does as a hobby and during her vacation time. Anyone who knows Brandy personally will agree that running takes up many hours of her week when she is training for ultra marathons.

Two women wearing running gear in forest.
Brandy Martin and her running partner, Stacey Greenan, at the Diez Vista 50K trail run in April 2022

With her adult children away at college and working, Brandy and her husband, Owen, are living a new chapter of life as empty-nesters.

“We’re able to enjoy the Okanagan and all that it has to offer. I love the trail network that Vernon has established, and my husband enjoys the dirt bike riding that is so close to our home. There’s nothing better than getting outside and enjoying the fresh air and scenery with friends. When I’m not on the trails, you can find me working in my yard; I love having my flower gardens, and don’t even mind picking weeds.”

Black and white photo of groom and bride looking at each other.
Groom Owen and bride Brandy at their wedding in 1999

One thing people may not know about Brandy is that she has been somewhat uncomfortable with change and the unknown; but she’s worked on it, and has made great strides in this area by pushing through her personal boundaries and trying new things.

I’ve never been a person that likes to make change or try something I may not be good at. But I’ve gotten to a point in my life where I’m less afraid of making mistakes, and I’m learning from those mistakes. I’m thankful for the opportunities that Interior Health has afforded me, and I continue to look for more growth opportunities in the future.

-- Brandy Martin

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