Name: Stephanie Rodgers (she/her/hers)Job Title:  Interim Director Laboratory Quality, Safety and InnovationYears of Service: 16Worksite: Kootenay Boundary Regional HospitalCommunity: CastlegarAncestral Territory: SinixtAdvice to live by: I live by my Rodgers family rules: be kind, have patience, show respect, forgive and forget, eat healthy, go outside, and love one another. Congratulations to Stephanie Rodgers, a medical laboratory technologist (MLT) who was appointed to the role of interim director, laboratory quality, safety and innovation! Stephanie was born in Vancouver and raised in Richmond, B.C. She’s lived in Castlegar since 2007, located on the Sinixt Nation territory. Stephanie considers herself approachable, knowledgeable and compassionate. “I take pride in my work; I have a strong work ethic. I am dedicated to lifelong learning and want to learn as much as I can about the world we live in.”

Name: Linda French (she/her/hers)Job Title: Community nurse/long-term care case managerYears of Service: 27Worksite: KirschnerCommunity: Central Okanagan-SouthAncestral Territory: Sylix OkanaganFavourite Quote / Advice to live by: Life is too short to drink bad wine. Throughout her health-care career, Linda French has done her part for the community. Linda, who was born in Scarborough, Ont. but grew up in North Delta, B.C., started her nursing career at BC Children's Hospital in pediatric cardiology. She worked at Kelowna General Hospital in pediatrics from 1994-1997 and then transferred to community nursing in 1997. She now serves as a community nurse/long-term care case manager for the Central Okanagan-South. “I have been enjoying this challenging role for 26 years,” Linda said. “I’m an active girl who can't sit still and loves a challenge.”

Guest post by Alexis Blueschke, RD, a public health dietitian for Interior Health. Have you ever planted a seed and watched it grow? Last year, I planted a tiny tomato seed and it was magical. I watched a single seed grow into a six-foot-tall plant, heavy with red, ripe tomatoes, in the span of four months. Growing your own food is a great way to learn about food and sustainability. Around the world, and here in B.C., there are organizations and groups working to support and transform our food systems. By growing our own food, taking advantage of local programs, and staying up-to-date on local and global initiatives, we can do our part to ensure a secure food future. 

Name: Kristin Lockhart (she/her/hers)Job Title: Manager, Clinical Operations, Kootenay Boundary Regional Hospital, Daly Pavilion, Harbour House and McKim CottageYears of Service: 26Community: Works in Trail and Nelson; lives in CastlegarAncestral Territory: Syilx, Sinixt and Ktunaxa NationsFavourite Quote / Advice to live by: Choose to be kind despite the hard challenges, as we never truly know what is going on for another person and we are all in this together. Kristin Lockhart is a registered nurse (RN) of 26 years. She feels blessed to have worked in a number of positions with Interior Health, both in frontline and leadership, and her true career passion is working in mental health and substance use (MHSU).

Guest post by Lisa Pritchard, a UBC Dietetics student. With the cost of food still rising, throwing out uneaten food and unused ingredients is not only frustrating, but expensive. Since February 2022, year-over-year grocery prices have risen more than 11 per cent in B.C., with the price of fresh vegetables rising 13.8 per cent. Yet it’s estimated that Canadians throw away 30 per cent of the food they purchase. With a little planning, we can make sure that the food we buy doesn’t go to waste. Here are some tips to reduce food waste, reuse leftovers, compost, and get the most from grocery shopping and cooking.

Guest post by Zoe Maika, a UBC Dietetics student As dietitians, we encourage everyone to eat vegetables and fruit year-round. Fresh fruit and vegetables have long been many consumers’ first choice. But with the price of fresh vegetables up 15.9 per cent since December 2021, you may want to head to the frozen food aisle more often. If you’re craving a crunchy apple or some fresh veggies with dip, fresh produce is the way to go. But if you want to make a nutritious meal and don’t feel like splurging in the produce section or spending time chopping, a trip to the frozen aisle is in order.  Here’s why:

Name: Joanne Standish (she/her/hers)Job Title: Occupational health nurse and safety advisorYears of Service: 5.5Worksite: Commerce Court / IH-wide service areaCommunity: PentictonAncestral Territory: Syilx OkanaganFavourite Quote / Advice to live by: "Our goals can only be reached through the vehicle of a plan. There is no other route to success" - Pablo Picasso Joanne Standish grew up in the small town of Burstall in southwestern Saskatchewan, with a “single gas plant on the prairie” as her source of livelihood in an otherwise rural farming community. After spending a year in chemical engineering Joanne realized she wanted to help others more tangibly, and shifted to a career as a registered nurse (RN). Joanne’s interest in industry continued and while working as a nurse in acute care she also began a career in occupational health and safety (OHS) in the local oil and gas industry. “I am fascinated by learning the processes of work – in any industry – and how they potentially impact the worker and their health, safety and well-being. Once that is understood, then supporting the worker and the organization so workers don’t get hurt or sick from work becomes clearer.” With her Occupational Health Nursing Certificate, during her 35-year career Joanne has enjoyed many opportunities to learn and apply OHS principles across multiple industries. “Because my family life required frequent transfers throughout Alberta, I was able to work to full scope in meatpacking, gas processing, bitumen refining (Alberta oil sands), power generation and now health care.”  In 2017, Joanne finally made her dream move to Penticton with her sons to take full advantage of the Okanagan lifestyle, while continuing her career at Interior Health as an occupational health nurse and safety advisor.

It has been two years since Interior Health registered nurses (RNs) and registered psychiatric nurses (RPNs) began prescribing opioid agonist therapy (OAT).  In September 2020, a public health order (PHO) was issued by Dr. Bonnie Henry to enable nurse prescribing with the goal of increasing access to medication-assisted treatment and safer alternatives to the toxic illicit drug supply. This PHO paved the way for the BC College of Nurses and Midwives and the BC Centre on Substance Use to work with the Ministry of Mental Health and Addictions and health authorities to develop the nurse prescriber scope in 2021.

Diane Jules joined the Interior Health Board of Directors in January 2015. Over four terms and eight years, she has brought her insight, experience and leadership to the decisions facing Interior Health. Diane is a member of the Secwépemc Nation, Adams Lake Band and has served her Nation and community throughout the years in a number of roles. While on Band Council, Diane oversaw the health portfolio for two years which gave her insight into health-care administration and the issues First Nations people were having within the health system. When she was approached to join the IH Board, Diane was happy to serve. “It’s been an exciting time to be involved in health,” she says. “One of my mottos in life is to take advantage of every opportunity that comes along.”