We are IH is a recognition campaign to spotlight Interior Health employees and medical staff – through pictures and stories. Name: Dr. Travis Allen Job Title: Family Physician/Hospitalist Years of Service: 5 Worksite: Vernon Jubilee Hospital Community: Vernon Ancestral Territory: “Syilx” (Saay-ilks) / Okanagan Interior Salish Favourite Quote: "I love lamp."- Brick Tamland, Anchorman In the vast world of medicine, there are many career paths to take to become a physician. For Dr. Travis Allen, his interest in medicine sparked during a first aid demonstration in third grade. From that moment on, it was clear he would pursue a lifelong journey of helping people. As a Family Physician and Hospitalist at Vernon Jubilee Hospital (VJH), he spends his days positively affecting the lives of many ranging from his patients, colleagues, to his greater community. When asked to describe himself in a few words, his sense of humour becomes apparent, as he self-describes as sarcastic, brilliant, hilarious, saintly and of course, humble. Raised in Prince George's supportive and tight-knit community by his single mother, Travis learned the importance of community at a young age. Beginning his career teaching first aid, he furthered his education through his undergrad followed by graduating from the newly developed Medical School Program in his hometown of Prince George.    Intrigued by the world of rural medicine and the variety of family medicine during medical school, Dr. Allen was eager to gain hands-on experience in an assortment of settings. Partaking in a rural medical program organized and led by Prince George physicians, he worked in many rural communities across British Columbia. As Dr. Allen reflects on his experiences serving rural communities throughout his career, his smile beams ear-to-ear, as he shares his passion for providing care to low-resource communities in need. Throughout his career, he has continued his rural locum work experiencing new places, work environments and meeting new people. These experiences helped shape the trajectory of his career and continues to be priority work. Pushing himself out of his comfort zone, he also worked in other countries in West Africa, such as Liberia, and Ghana. Working in unique situations such as helping villages battling tropical diseases continually challenged him to develop as a physician. These experiences quickly put the world of modern medicine he was accustomed to into perspective. Meeting new people, learning new skills and practicing medicine in a new environment contributed to growing Dr. Allen’s skill set and confidence as a practicing physician. Pursuing his passion for teaching others and giving back to his community, he sought teaching opportunities at the University of British Columbia. Thinking of his role as a preceptor, Dr. Allen happily shares how "[he] loves teaching and paying it forward and helping shape the doctors of tomorrow." Working within his community of Vernon at the Urgent and Primary Care Centre, Dr.Allen works with vulnerable populations who do not have a family doctor. This part-time role brings him closer to helping those in need and mentoring other doctors along the way. Dr. Allen reminisces on his journey to becoming a doctor, as he shares how, “with medicine, you get all sorts of opportunities to push yourself out of your comfort zone, to learn new skills, and grow as a person.” Approaching life with a growth mindset with abundant learning opportunities, he sees the daily diversity of work as an exciting problem to solve. Proud to be working alongside a diverse and talented team of health-care professionals, he expresses how grateful he is for his diligent and innovative team to navigate the pandemic together. His contagious sense of humour and optimistic outlook has been pivotal in creating a positive work environment for all. Career highlights at Interior Health over the past five years include designing a vision statement with fellow hospitalists to bring the team together and promote a positive work culture. The vision refresh continues to contribute to building a strong hospitalist team at VJH. Laying down roots to raise his own family with his wife in her home community of Vernon, they recently welcomed their baby girl to the world. Congratulations! His love of gardening yields home-cooked gourmet meals presented with love. Goofy at heart, he creatively names dishes adding to the fun of exploring new cuisines. Relaxing after a hard day's work, he spends most nights sipping his favourite drink, watching a movie paired with buttered popcorn. Early mornings before work, Dr. Allen spends time making memories with his family. Most recently, he has been learning to play the Muppet song on Ukulele for his daughter. Watch his performance below. Looking forward, he is excited for simple pleasures like watching the latest movie in theatres with popcorn layered in butter and in-person strategic planning sessions. Motivated to grow the hospitalist department at VJH and across Interior Health, his cohesive and high-performing team can provide more care further to vulnerable populations. Always looking to brighten someone’s day with a laugh, Dr. Allen continues to encourage others to make the most out of life and seek adventure and fun. Thank you for all that you do, Dr. Allen! Dr. Allen's nomination keeps the We Are IH loop going: "Susan Lawrey, a Unit Clerk at Vernon Jubilee Hospital, can naturally make everybody's day at the hospital brighter. She's always smiling and treats everyone like family, from patients and their families to all of her co-workers. She works hard to go above and beyond for patients yet still makes time to remind fellow staff of the big picture-to treat each other with kindness. If you are lucky she will even feed you!" - Dr. Travis Allen Stay updated with careers at Interior Health Facebook: Interior Health  |   Instagram: interiorhealthbc |   LinkedIn: Interior Health Authority

Spring is in full swing and it's a great time get outside, explore and be active. Enjoying our rivers, lakes and swimming pools are great ways to stay active and have fun. Make sure you make the most of your time in and around water by following these 10 tips:   Don't swim alone Always go with a buddy. Stay within your abilities Don't go farther or into deeper water than you can handle. Look before you leap Shallow water, or underwater objects may appear deeper than they really are. Don't mix alcohol or substance use with water activities They increase your risk of injury a lot. Never leave a child alone near water Remember, a child can drown in seconds in only a few inches of water. Fence off your pool Install four-sided fencing around pools with a gate and child-proof locks on doors. Take a first aid course Learn life-saving techniques including CPR and artificial respiration. Wear a life jackets or personal flotation device (PFD) Whenever you are on a personal water craft (such as a Jet Ski), paddle board or other water craft. Look for (and read!) the signs Read any posted signs and follow the safety information wherever you choose to swim. Use caution near water Falling into a pool or other body of water can be very dangerous.  

We are IH is a recognition campaign to spotlight Interior Health employees and medical staff – through pictures and stories. Name: Sharon Reisdorf Job Title: Speech Language Pathologist Years of Service: 21 Worksite: Kelowna General Hospital Community: Kelowna Ancestral Territory: Syilx (Saay-ilks) / Okanagan Interior Salish Favourite Quote: "With the new day comes new strength and new thoughts" -Eleanor Roosevelt Are you familiar with the work of Speech-Language Pathologists (S-LPs)? When hearing about Speech-Language Pathology as a profession, most people have limited perceptions of what it involves. However, it has a much broader scope than we imagine. At Interior Health, S-LPs work in both adult communication and swallowing services, voice and early childhood development programs, helping to prevent, assess, and treat speech and language, swallowing, and cognitive-communication disorders.   If you are considering a career in S-LP, know that it requires a high level of education, with a Masters degree being a minimum requirement. Take Sharon Reisdorf, S-LP at Interior Health for example. She always knew she wanted to be a therapist of some kind, and contemplated becoming a music therapist at one point; hence, her BA in music and psychology! But that’s not all. She also holds a specialization in linguistics and a Masters degree in Speech-Language Therapy, of course! Now that we know what it takes to be an S-LP, let’s learn more about Sharon’s journey as an S-LP. Her career began at a rehabilitation hospital in Florida. After working at Wascana Rehabilitation Hospital in Regina, she moved to Kelowna, relocating for her husband’s job. Sharon’s career at Kelowna General Hospital spans an extraordinary 21 years! Photo of Sharon Reisdorf, Speech-Language Pathologist at Kelowna General Hospital. Photo provided by the KGH Foundation. When asked about her proudest moments at IH, Sharon shares heartwarming and thought-provoking stories about her patients. During the early days of the pandemic, she recalls working with an acutely ill patient in rehab, who had recently transferred out of ICU. Sharon mentions she still remembers the day her patient walked out of rehab, after triumphing over a complicated hospital stay. Sharon feels it is a privilege to be part of a patient’s journey as they go from being fearful and non-verbal to advocating for themselves and making meaningful connections with friends and family. She also emphasized how, in terms of swallowing for example, how fulfilling it is to see patients transition from a tube feed to eating orally after intensive therapy.  Apart from her life-changing work, Sharon finds peace in playing music. The ongoing COVID-19 crisis helped her go back to playing the piano, which had been a big part of her life. Now, it helps to keep her grounded after a long day. Kelowna’s vibrant streets keep her exploring more parts of town on her bike and she has found a new love for pickleball.  Thank you Sharon for all that you do and for sharing your story with us. A special thank you to all Speech-Language Pathologists across Interior Health in celebration of S-LP month.  Sharon's nomination keeps the We Are IH loop going: "I would like to nominate Elisabeth Teasdale, an Inpatient Stroke Nurse who facilitates the care for all the stroke patients. She is incredible and I would love to see her featured." - Sharon Reisdorf Stay updated with careers at Interior Health Facebook: @IHJobs  |   Instagram: @InteriorHealthBC.Careers  |   LinkedIn: @InteriorHealthAuthority

After 47 days in intensive care at Royal Inland Hospital, Ric Egan asked his care team to help him leave this world – with hope and in victory. Ric had been in and out of RIH since he became a quadriplegic 30 years ago in a dirt bike accident. Despite those enormous physical challenges, he maintained a zest for living. This year, however, his health took a rapid decline and he made a decision. He wanted to marry the love of his life and then he wanted to die at home. The man whom friends and family describe as having great respect for life, along with a quick wit, infectious laugh and a pinch of spicy temper, was ready. A duty to care The wedding ceremony in the hospital’s Sacred Space, led by RIH spiritual health lead Viktor Gundel, was organized despite the complexities of a pandemic. The second wish was a bigger challenge for the team of nurses, doctors, and allied health who had spent many years trying to keep Ric alive and on the road to recovery. But, as they reminded themselves, their first duty always is to the patient, respecting patient choices and supporting their wishes. “Isn’t this what we do? We care, we heal, we dream with our patients and we restore their hope amidst their brokenness. It helps us to heal in return,” said Viktor. Their story Ric and Helena might have had a storybook ending. Forty-two years ago, they were sweethearts and soulmates, but then life journeys took them in different directions. They both got married to other people and later divorced. Twelve years ago, they reconnected. “His devotion to Helena, his family and close friends was so evident in his struggles – all governed by an independent spirit and desire for dignity,” said Viktor. Helena said she is so grateful to the ICU team and Viktor for their support. Customizing his care was uncharted territory for them. For weeks, the full team had to break new ground to sustain his quality of life. “They were absolutely wonderful in what they did for him,” said Helena. “And when we went down to the Sacred Space, every single staff member came out of each room to applaud and cheer. They even held signs of best wishes and Ric told me he felt like a king.” Ric's care team During the wedding celebration, ICU nurse Cecilee Moray represented his core team of nurses, reading the words of Louise Desilets, another RN who had cared for him. “Ric, you are getting married, you are going home to Merritt and you are making the choices about your life. Your mind is clear and strong and independent, and this is why you have not lost. It is why you are winning in life to the end." As they lined the halls to bid him farewell for the last time, it was a bittersweet moment for the ICU care team who had all become family to him. “What people may not realize is how meeting our patients’ requests and care needs also inspires medical staff,” said ICU manager Matt Stubbings. His last wish RN Sean Adam from the High Acuity Response Team (HART) oversaw the complex needs required for the transfer to Merritt. Respiratory therapist Tannis Gilbert also travelled with Ric, ensuring his comfort on the hour-long journey. “Tannis was incredibly supportive and willing to do whatever was needed for him,” said Matt. He added that there was a united goal among all staff to help him go back home, to transition his life in peace and allow him to die with dignity and free of pain. For the ICU team, it was an honour to support his final wishes. Ric passed peacefully that evening with medical assistance. In Viktor’s words, “Ric’s journey was one of perseverance, gusto for life, and life with dignity.” I have lived to see a lot of a human journey, but I might add that this will stay with me and with many in ICU for years to come. Ric has left much more to us than we had to give him. His story and spirit reflects the paradoxes and complexities of a human life.” Spiritual Health Lead Viktor Gundel

We are IH is a recognition campaign to spotlight Interior Health employees and medical staff – through pictures and stories. Name: Eric Tommasini Job Title: Physiotherapist Years of Service: 6 Worksite: Royal Inland Hospital Community: Kamloops Ancestral Territory: Secwépemc Favourite Quote: "Be a better version of yourself today than you were yesterday, aspire to be a better you tomorrow than you are today." Have you ever given much thought to value-based health-care services? Value-based health care isg the monetary amount we spend on health-care programs and services to get optimal results for our patients. The Canadian Physiotherapy Association did an evidence-based assessment of the value provided by physiotherapy services and found that it has significant benefits when utilized in our health-care system for cardiovascular rehabilitation, chronic lung disease, prevention and risk reduction of falls, strokes, musculoskeletal conditions and several other health issues that affect the lives of Canadians. Physiotherapists work autonomously and collaboratively alongside the collective health-care team within Interior Health to empower, and promote independence and quality of life for those in our care. Now that we have a better understanding of the role a physiotherapist plays, let’s follow Eric Tommasini’s journey to becoming a physiotherapist at Interior Health, and appreciate him for all his life-changing work! Eric was born and raised in Kamloops, located in the traditional and unceded territory of the Secwépemc, but left his hometown to pursue an undergraduate degree in Kinesiology from the University of Calgary, and later received his Masters of Physical Therapy at the University of British Columbia, Vancouver. Eventually, he returned to Kamloops to work at the Royal Inland Hospital – a purposeful move as Eric remarks: “It (Kamloops) embodies my core values and interests.” The people of Kamloops provide a sense of community, connection and belonging, they work hard and take advantage of the city’s active lifestyle and recreational opportunities – things that are important for Eric and his family. Eric and his wife, who works as a nurse at Royal Inland Hospital, are all smiles as they raise their daughters in Kamloops. The capabilities and resilience of the human body never cease to amaze Eric, which is why he pursued a career in physiotherapy. Eric not only understands this from his studies and work, but through the numerous activities he partakes in as well. He played several sports growing up and, although finding time is more difficult with three young children, Eric continues to exercise most notably by running. Eric jokes that his wife encourages him to exercise for the multitude of benefits it provides - she agrees that “it makes me a better husband, father, therapist, and co-worker”. Seeing the benefits firsthand, Eric feels fortunate to be in a position where he helps others take care and control of their health. As a physiotherapist, Eric gets a great deal of job satisfaction. He couldn’t imagine anything more fulfilling than helping a patient to return home to be with their spouse after a hip fracture, or helping someone who wants to walk their daughter down the aisle on their wedding day after having a stroke. Being a physiotherapist is serious and meaningful work, but it doesn’t take away from his humorous side. He admitted that when he is not working or running, he can usually be found eating excessive amounts of peanut butter, having dance parties with his daughters, and finding other ways to goof off. A beautiful newborn girl is welcomed to Eric's growing family. When asked about his proudest moment at Interior Health, Eric was kind enough to provide some insight into his way of thinking. “When you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change” he says. He notes that there can be frustrations when working in health care, working through a pandemic can be deflating, and that life can sometimes give you lemons: “I think it is important to have a positive, encouraging, and compassionate mindset for those we work for, those we work with, and for ourselves.” Eric prides himself on being a frontline leader who helps navigate others particularly during difficult times and thanks IH for providing him the tools to develop these skills. Eric put himself out there by requesting to take several leadership courses through IH, by advancing his career and overall job satisfaction through seeking mentorship, and by getting involved in wider initiatives aimed at progressing his workplace and organization. Eric believes that there are endless opportunities within IH and encourages anyone to explore their interests and aspirations. Thanks to Eric for sharing what it's like to be an Interior Health Physiotherapist! Visit this link to learn more about a career path in physiotherapy with Interior Health, including work environments, job duties and education requirements. Eric's nomination keeps the We Are IH loop going: "I recently took a Coaching Course (virtually) with Claudy Pastoor and it has opened my mind. I know nothing about her, but I appreciate the course and what she taught me. I feel like anyone and everyone would benefit from her coach approach - both in personal and professional situations. With that being said, let me and IH know more about her!" - Eric Tommasini Stay updated with careers at Interior Health Facebook: Interior Health  |   Instagram: interiorhealthbc |   LinkedIn: Interior Health Authority

In the wake of a deadly rise in drug toxicity and overdoses, the care team at Vernon’s Downtown Mental Health and Substance Use Centre has been quietly saving lives. An invaluable support for more than 900 Vernon residents, the centre helps with *harm reduction, health services and social supports. Since opening on May 12, 2020, more than 3,500 people have visited, and over 400 drug consumption events have been safely supervised, with zero deaths. As part of the Vernon care team, Jennifer, Aleasha, and Adrian see the severity of the overdose crisis each day. Each month about 30 people visit the centre, where the team helps people use drugs more safely. About 88 per cent of visits are for harm reduction and approximately 11 per cent are for supervised consumption (in March there were 70 consumption visits). Thanks to tools that make drug use safer such as scales and drug testing, overdose events are not common at the site. Still, staff typically respond to about five each month   A toxic drug supply The overdose crisis continues. In B.C. last year there were 283 deaths – the highest number ever – and 2021 is tracking to be worse. In Vernon 28 people died last year. The evidence is clear – street drugs are more toxic than ever and overdose events are increasingly difficult to manage. In addition to fentanyl, many drug samples are now being found with other contaminants, particularly benzodiazepines (benzos), a form of tranquilizer that impacts the nervous system and causes drowsiness or even unconsciousness. The presences of benzos that are made and sold illegally mixed with other substances has rapidly increased from 15 per cent of provincial samples in July 2020 to over 50 per cent in March 2021. Benzos do not respond to Naloxone (a drug which is typically administered to reverse opioid overdose), and can slow or stop a person’s breathing. While there has never been a reported deaths at an overdose prevention site in B.C., overdose events that are becoming more difficult to manage. Recently, over the course of one week, the Vernon care team provided oxygen three times – something once considered rare.   Connections making a difference Still the team is optimistic. One of the major influences in the centre’s success is the role of Peers – community members with personal experience and training, who use their own unique knowledge and understanding to help others in whatever way they can. “It’s really exciting to see that individuals accessing our services are saying ‘this is really valuable, I want to be a part of this. I want to be a part of the solution too,” says Adrian. The team’s focus on building relationships in the community is working. As one client told them, “You guys have been the light of my day, you have treated us with such dignity and respected, thank you so much for all you do.’’ “We have one client, for example, who had burnt bridges at absolutely every community resource in town, who is now consistently accessing our site. He initially came in for harm reduction supplies, and then started connecting with the overdose prevention nurse, and slowly became more open to talking about his substance use and learning about what services we could offer,” says Jenn. “Finally, because of the trust we were able to establish, we were able to help connect him to **Opioid Agonist Treatment, and he has been able to maintain on that program for several months. Now we’ve seen him become increasingly stable. He’s connected with us and feels quite accepted here. That connection makes all the difference.” “When you’re in the room with someone who is using the overdose prevention service, it’s quite a long interaction and quite often you end up talking about all manner of subjects, to build relationships with people, and it’s natural for the conversation to cover substance use and harm reduction,” explains Adrian. “You can say ‘oh you were telling me the other day that your leg was hurting, did you want to follow-up on that, we can call primary care and get you in for a look.” “Our clients are so used to being rejected that they just shut down. In our waiting area we hear so many speak about how grateful they are. They are probably among the most grateful patients in health care.”     The Vernon Downtown Mental Health and Substance Use Centre includes one of four overdose prevention/supervised consumption sites in Interior Health. To learn more check out the supervised consumption services brochure. For help finding substance use treatment and supports visit our Substance Use Services page.     * Harm reduction is an evidence based practice that aims to keep people safe and minimize death, disease, and injury from behavior that involves risk such as substance use and sexual activity. **Opioid Agonist Treatment is the recommended treatment for Opioid Use Disorder (OUD). OAT involves an opioid agonist medication prescribed and monitored by a health-care provider. The primary medications used are Suboxone and Methadone.  

COVID-19 has impacted each of us in many ways. One of the areas that we are monitoring closely is mental health. Mental health affects all of us. As we mark the 70th annual Mental Health Awareness Week I’d like to take this opportunity to recognize the toll that the ongoing pandemic is having on people’s feelings of stress, loneliness, and anxiety. After one year into this challenging pandemic, the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health has reported about one in five Canadians is experiencing high levels of mental distress. But hope is not lost. While the pandemic initially impacted our ability to offer in-person counselling and other services, we quickly pivoted to provide counselling virtually, with great feedback from participants and clinicians. We are also making it easier to access services by launching the 310-MHSU phone number, which works across Interior Health and puts callers directly in touch with their local Mental Health and Substance Use centre. We know that involving family members can make a big difference in supporting the well-being of clients. Guided by people with first-hand experience, we developed a new family involvement approach for clinicians based on respect, sharing information, and working together so that people can include their loved ones in their journey and access to care. From prevention programs to intensive treatment and support, we are committed to strengthening care at all levels of the continuum. That’s why we continue to enhance mental health and substance use services throughout the Interior region. Integrated treatment teams are working to create multidisciplinary outreach for people who need flexible support that works for them; new treatment beds are coming this spring to serve youth experiencing substance use issues; and access to Opioid Agonist Treatment is expanding, with the first cohort of Interior Health’s nurse prescribers for Suboxone having just completed training. For many people, stigma related to mental illness continues to be a significant barrier to accessing help. This is why it is important to support efforts such as Mental Health Awareness Week’s #GetReal campaign, which encourages people to talk about how they feel, and to show support for each other through difficult times. They say there is no health without mental health and I believe this is true. We need to end the stigma, and continue to improve access. For more details regarding Mental Health & Substance Use services within Interior Health, visit www.interiorhealth.ca.

We are IH is a recognition campaign to spotlight Interior Health employees and medical staff – through pictures and stories. Name: Amara Stangeland Job Title: Registered Nurse, Adolescent Psychiatry Years of Service: 2 Worksite: Kelowna General Hospital Community: Kelowna Ancestral Territory: Syilx (Saay-ilks) / Okanagan Interior Salish Favourite Quote: "In a world when you can be anything, be kind."       Amara’s kind demeanour, welcoming smile and caring approach allow her to excel in her role as a Registered Nurse in the Adolescent Psychiatry Department at Kelowna General Hospital. In the vast world of nursing, there are many career opportunities to explore. For Amara, it was the first day of nursing school when a spark ignited her interest in working with the youth. Intrigued by the opportunity as a nurse to support and guide youth at such an important point in their life, she knew she was on the right path. Seeing the resilience of adolescents first hand continues to motivate Amara in her work. Through providing care, she is able to guide them on the right path and teach them valuable life skills that can change their life trajectory. Born and raised in The Pas, Northern Manitoba, Amara grew up very close with her family. Her passion for helping others was evident at a young age. Eager to help those around her, Amara was always a supportive person people would lean on. Shortly after high school, Amara moved to Sylvan Lake, Alta., where she graduated with her nursing degree and gained work experience in hospitals for over a decade. Inspired by the opportunity to live the Okanagan outdoor adventurous lifestyle, Amara and her fiancée moved to Kelowna over two years ago. When Amara isn’t working you can find her exploring the mountains year-round, biking, snowboarding, or hiking. Passionate about living an active lifestyle, Amara loves to practice hot yoga, stand up paddleboard, dance, and try new outdoor activities with friends. Her love of travel has taken her across the world to many countries where she was able to experience different cultures, including hiking the Tour de Mont Blanc in Europe. After postponing her wedding multiple times due to the pandemic, Amara looks forward to marrying the love of her life this August. Congratulations! In celebration of Nurses Week, Interior Health sincerely thanks all of our nurses for their commitment and dedication to caring for our communities. Amara expresses her gratitude for her incredible team, for their continuous support, their strength and resilience, especially working through a pandemic. Additionally, she is proud of the way the community has shown up for their health-care workers, through words of encouragement, acts of kindness and spreading positivity. It all adds up and helps everyone feel supported. Thank you for sharing your story and for all that you do! Happy Nurses Week!   Amara's nomination keeps the We Are IH loop going: "Kalie has been working hard, long hours at Urgent Care COVID testing site. She is a kind and caring nurse, especially during these challenging times. She remains calm and positive throughout it all. She deserves to be recognized for the hard work she puts in along with the other essential workers. Happy Nurses Week!" - Amara Stangeland Stay updated with careers at Interior Health Facebook: Interior Health  |   Instagram: interiorhealthbc |   LinkedIn: Interior Health Authority

Marilyn Parker’s health-care journey has given her a unique perspective on how volunteers can improve the health system. At 40, she was diagnosed with asthma and now has epilepsy and is a chronic care patient. After moving to Kamloops, she had great difficulty finding a family doctor and learned the value of directing her own health and using tools like MyHealthPortal to access her personal health information record. She ultimately found an excellent health-care provider and now shares her insight with Interior Health on how to improve health services. Volunteering has always been part of Marilyn’s life, and when she retired from banking, she joined the Patient Voices Network and quickly became a volunteer on a research project with McGill University, University of British Columbia (UBC) and Simon Fraser University, focused on the doctor-patient attachment relationship. Almost five years later, she has learned a great deal about patient-oriented research practices and procedures and also honed her views on the importance of having a health-care provider.  Marilyn Parker “My focus is access. In particular I’m worried about both rural and First Nation's ability to access services both physically and technologically. I once took a wrong turn in Williams Lake and ended up in an area with no cell service, no email, and no gas stations. Access to health-care services is imperative for the success of our citizens in this province,” says Marilyn. She feels so strongly on this topic that she is co-writing a paper for the research along with one of the adjunct professors from UBC about the importance of having a health-care provider. “I am also interested in providing supports to people in directing their own health-care. Right now, I can have a phone call with my specialist; but can I continue to do that as I age? I also wonder how health-care is going to transition and how we will support innovation and provide access for all.”   Bringing more than just a patient perspective In addition to her experience as a patient and person accessing health services, Marilyn brings a host of other skills to the Interior Health projects she’s part of. As a retired banker, she has extensive experience in human resources, management, and auditing. She also has a degree in process management. But the skill Marilyn feels is most valuable to her work with Interior Health is her ability to listen. As part of her work on the B.C. Primary Care Research Network Patient Advisory, she was asked to speak at a meeting of doctors and caregivers. “I told them in business I learned the extremely important skill of public speaking, but more importantly the value of listening. I encouraged the doctors and practitioners to do the same with their patients” says Marilyn.   The role of partners in improving care Providing feedback is an important part of the role for partners like Marilyn. “On a recent hospital visit, I noticed a sheet on the door with the acronym WOW! (Who, Occupation, What),” says Marilyn. “I was impressed to see the majority of the people who came to my bedside used WOW! I gave feedback to the manager in charge of that unit about how well the staff did, and I think comments like mine help to reinforce the use of it.” As partners in health care, Marilyn believes patients, clients and the public can help improve the system by providing feedback. She has also seen the benefits to health care when organizations like Interior Health leverage the perspective and experience of members of the public. As Marilyn says, “Everybody’s heart is in this work. What more could you ask for?”   A word about partners When asked to describe the role she plays with Interior Health, Marilyn prefers the term patient partner. She recognizes that these roles are all about partnership and says "It is a journey that we make together".     These stories are built on the work started by Tatianna Henderson, Student Intern, Quality & Patient Safety.