Stories@IH
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4 Minute Read
Health & Wellness
Are you numb to the toxic drug crisis? Here’s why & what to do

In the eight years since B.C. declared a public health emergency because of deaths due to unregulated drug poisonings, we’ve seen more than 14,000 people die in this province. Do an online search about the toxic drug crisis, and the statistics jump out from the screen—numbers that are…

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3 Minute Read
Community & Culture
We Are IH: Med lab technologist plays direct role in patient care

Name: Michelle HolmJob Title: Medical Laboratory TechnologistYears of Service: 14Worksite: Kootenay Boundary Regional HospitalCommunity:  TrailAncestral Territory: Syilx and KtunaxaFavourite Quote: Be the change you wish to see in the world. — Gandhi Michelle Holm is a medical laboratory…

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2 Minute Read
Community & Culture
Foundation spotlight series: RIH Foundation

Foundations in the Interior Region raise funds that support medical equipment, care needs, and innovative local initiatives in their communities. Each organization includes respected community leaders, volunteers and staff who are passionate about meeting the needs of patients and families in…

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Community & Culture
We Are IH: Support Services member loves seeing patients smile

Name: Gheboa Zeleniski (she/her/hers)Job Title: Support ServicesYears of Service:  5 yearsWorksite:  Cariboo Memorial HospitalCommunity:  Williams LakeAncestral Territory: Secwépemc First NationsFavourite Quote / Advice to live by: "Everything happens for a reason." Born in Squamish, Gheboa (…

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Health & Wellness
How you can protect and preserve our drinking water

We’re exploring one of our most important natural resources: water. In part 1 of this two-part series, Do you know where your drinking water comes from?, we shared resources about our water operators and suppliers, and how to find out if you water is under an advisory. In this story, discover how…

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3 Minute Read
Community & Culture
We Are IH: Change management professional supports others’ growth
Name: Christopher Russell (he/him/his)Job Title: Leadership & Organization Development ConsultantYears of Service: 2.5Worksite: Community Health & Services CentreCommunity: KelownaAncestral Territory: Syilx/OkanaganFavourite Quote / Advice to live by: “Growth and comfort do not coexist.” – Ginni Rometty, “All things are difficult before they are easy.” – Thomas Fuller A calm, empathetic and imaginative change management professional, Chris Russell is passionate about working in public service, and supporting the growth and development of others. From inspiring folks to see new career possibilities through facilitating workshops and development sessions, to being involved in the launch of the Change Leadership and Change Management programs and Interior Health (IH) Change Framework, Chris is a valuable resource as IH navigates change, big and small.
7 Minute Read
Community & Culture
Amplifying transgender voices: an interview with an IH employee
The Interior Health Employee Experience team recently sat down with Lee Chmilar, admin for psychiatry in Kelowna mental health & substance use, to learn a bit more about Transgender Day of Visibility (TDOV) and their journey at IH thus far.
6 Minute Read
Community & Culture
Work-integrated learning: Where education meets experience
Interior Health is dedicated to both fostering talent and advancing environmental sustainability— making work-integrated learning a win-win. Learn more from our very own Amanda Mckenzie, manager of environmental sustainability, and Avery Schneider, environmental sustainability intern.
4 Minute Read
Health & Wellness, Research & Innovation
Do you know where your drinking water comes from?
When you take a drink of water, shower, water your garden or wash your car, have you ever paused to think about the journey your water takes from the source to your taps? If you’re among tens of thousands of people in the Interior region who rely on the city for your water supply, it’s easy to take for granted we have access to safe, clean drinking water. On the other hand, if you’re on a small water system, you likely have a more intimate knowledge about who provides and treats your water. You might be surprised to know the Interior is home to close to 2,000 permitted water system providers and operators – a person or organization that supplies and/or treats water. Some water system operators supply water to as few as a half dozen homes or an RV park. Cities like Kelowna and Kamloops provide water to tens of thousands of residents. 
3 Minute Read
Community & Culture
We Are IH: Meet a pharmacist who helps IH manage drug shortages
Name: Kris Scott (he/him/his)Job Title: Formulary coordinator, pharmacy servicesYears of Service: 7Worksite: Kelowna CHSC (and home office)Community: West KelownaAncestral Territory: Syilx/OkanaganFavourite Quote / Advice to live by: “Continuous improvement is better than delayed perfection.” -Mark Twain From the time your health-care provider writes you a prescription in hospital to the time your nurse provides it to you, there’s an intricate process that takes place, one which is always evolving. One of the people helping guide this process is Kris Scott, formulary coordinator for Interior Health pharmacy services. “I'm passionate about quality improvement,” says Kris, who was born and raised in Prince Rupert, B.C. “Having the opportunity to work as a pharmacist in a unique regional role provides me with almost daily opportunities to contribute to system changes that can improve efficiencies for our IH pharmacy teams in supporting patient care. "At the end of the day, it's really being able to have a positive impact on patient care that inspires me and the work I do.”
3 Minute Read
Health & Wellness
Tips and tricks on avoiding ticks and safely removing them
Spring is here and the warmer weather means more people will be out hiking in tall grass or wooded areas. This can also mean an increased chance of getting tick bites. Ticks are small bugs that bite and feed on the blood of humans and animals and can sometimes transmit disease. Fortunately, there are precautions people can take to prevent illnesses that may be transmitted from tick bites.

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say youth substance use project poster
Community & Culture, Health & Wellness
Reducing harm is an empowering approach and part of a recovery journey
Interior Health has expanded services for youth who use substances in eight cities in B.C.’s interior. To spread the word about this new substance use services we’re working with a team of youth Peers - the SAY Project - who share their lived experience in this blog, online and with video ‘memecasts’! These youth-focussed services include treatment and harm reduction. Brynn and Hayden are youth in the Interior who have lived experience with substance use. They teamed up with Interior Heath to promote new services for their youth peers. The SAY project was launched in 2023 to promote the new substance use services Interior Health created specifically for youth across the region. Hayden and Brynn (not their real names) helped create the campaign to spread the word about these services.
A girl with long brown hair and black tank top stands in a field of sunflowers against a blue sky
Health & Wellness
Three ways to save money on groceries in 2024
Guest post by Elena Kwan, a UBC Dietetics student As a dietetics student at UBC, I love grocery shopping. However, I’ve noticed that I’ve been more selective about which foods to place in my basket due to a rise in my grocery bills. Like many other Canadians, I’ve found it challenging to keep up with inflation and I’ve had to be creative to keep my grocery bills within my budget. According to the 2024 Canada’s Food Price Report, vegetables, meat and bakery items are expected to have the greatest price increases this year. On the bright side, dry goods and non-perishable goods are expected to stay the same. Dairy and fruit are expected to have smaller price increases compared to foods in vegetables, meat and bakery.   
A woman and a man in red plaid shirts pose under a fir tree
Community & Culture
Meet your recruiter: Jess Geen, new graduate RNs, RPNs and LPNs
Welcome to the Meet Your Recruiter series, where we bring you closer to the dedicated professionals behind Interior Health's recruitment team. In this series, you'll have the opportunity to get to know the recruiters who play a vital role in attracting and selecting talented individuals to join our dynamic health-care team. Discover their passions, expertise and invaluable insights as they share their experiences and shed light on the exciting opportunities that await you within Interior Health. As one of the largest health-care authorities in British Columbia, we are committed to providing exceptional care to the communities we serve. These are the people who help us fulfill this commitment.
A blonde woman wearing a ball-cap smiles at the camera with her black dog
Community & Culture
We Are IH: Social worker supports clients to achieve their goals
Name: Leanne Brace (she/her/hers)Job Title: Social WorkerYears of Service: 8Worksite: Primary Care Network (Fruitvale and Rossland)Community:  Kootenay BoundaryAncestral Territory: Syilx and KtunaxaFavourite Quote / Advice to live by: "After all, tomorrow is another day." - Scarlett O'Hara Born at the Trail Regional Hospital (now Kootenay Boundary Regional Hospital (KBRH)), Leanne was raised in Fruitvale. Her patience and passion for helping others brought her to choosing a career in social work.  During her studies in the Bachelor of Social Work Program, Leanne took an adventurous step to enter in an exchange program. Travelling all the way to Knoxville, Tennessee to continue her academic journey, she learned another important lesson – she loves the South! Her Tennessee interests ranges from football to sweet tea and everything in between.  Once Leanne returned to Canada from her exchange program, she graduated from the University of Calgary, Lethbridge campus with a Bachelor of Social Work in 2009. 

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