A publication for Staff and Physicians of IH
Dr. Halpenny provides a recap of the challenges faced by IH employees this summer.
Preparing for the 2015 Employee Engagement Survey, we want to know what each Gallup Q12 question means to you.
Sam enjoys good health at home with support from his physician and IH integrated care team.
Specialty Education Program supports the professional development of IH staff.
Lia Briceno introduces us to the who, what, when, why, and where of accreditation as we get ready to embark upon another round.
Dedicated, data-collecting nurses in the six larger ICUs across IH are looking to make a very real impact on quality care for critical care patients.
Healthy schools contribute to the safety and health of our children, our youth...our future.
Reducing sodium consumption within our hospitals and care facilities.
Shining a spotlight on the many communities that make up where we live, work, and play.
Snapshots of our staff in action over the last month.
Kelowna Public Health Nurses Tavia Cahill and Stacy Mutch distribute sunscreen samples to promote Sun Safety. Story p. 21. The @InteriorHealth magazine is a monthly publication created by the Communications Department of Interior Health. Past issues of @InteriorHealth can be found on our website under About Us/Media Centre/Publications & Newsletters. If you have story ideas for future issues, please e-mail: IHAcommunications@interiorhealth.ca Deadline for submissions to the October 2014 @InteriorHealth magazine is September 12. Editors: Amanda Fisher, Lannea Parfitt, Breanna Pickett, Designers: Kara Visinski, Breanna Pickett, Tracy Watson IH Communications Contributors: Lisa Braman, Lesley Coates, Susan Duncan, Karl Hardt, Breanna Pickett, Erin Toews, Tracy Watson
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Dr. Halpenny visited the New Denver Health Centre in July where he had the chance to view some of their historical documents, including this patient register from 1915.
At Interior Health, we want to set new standards of excellence in the delivery of health services in B.C. and to also promote healthy lifestyles and provide needed health services in a timely, caring, and efficient manner. To achieve this, we are guided by the following strategic goals: Goal 1 Improve Health and Wellness
Goal 2 Deliver High Quality Care Goal 3 Ensure Sustainable Health Care by Improving Innovation, Productivity, and Efficiency Goal 4 Cultivate an Engaged Workforce and Healthy Workplace
The articles featured in the @IH newsletter are great examples of how we’re achieving our goals … and realizing our vision and mission.
heard that old Nat King Cole song the other day, The
individuals put in long hours to coordinate patient care and align Lazy, Hazy, Crazy Days of planning with the RCMP, BC Ambulance, Summer, and I couldn’t help the City of Penticton, and others to but think of how across Interior ensure Penticton Regional Hospital was Health, our summer has been hazy prepared. As expected, the site saw and crazy – but definitely not lazy! a significantly higher number of patients than is typical for the August long The hazy days came from wildfires weekend. Thank you to everyone who aross IH. The Smith Creek fire in went above and beyond to ensure West Kelowna meant staff at patients received the care they needed. several residential facilities had to prepare for possible evacuations. No sooner had we caught our breath As well, our CIHS and Renal teams when the Mt. Polley Mine tailings pond had to ensure their clients and homebreached, releasing water and metalsdialysis patients affected by evacuation laden fine sand into several lakes, orders could continue to receive care. creeks, and rivers in the Cariboo region. Everyone involved did an excellent job. A team of medical health officers and water specialists were called upon to A number of wildfire evacuations ensure the protection of public health personally affected some of our in the area. In particular, I would like employees. What stood out for me to recognize Dr. Trevor Corneil, MHO, was how staff members stepped up and Michaela Swan, Communications to provide assistance. And let’s not Officer, who (literally) went the distance forget Staffing Services who did their in responding to this event. best to ensure that safe staffing levels were maintained at all our sites during August closed with our staff, physicians, these events. and volunteers responding to an unprecedented situation where code Then, on July 21, a region-wide orange mass casualty responses were computer/phone system outage related called at Nicola Valley Hospital & Health to a power failure at our primary data Centre in Merritt, Royal Inland Hospital centre impacted our ability to access in Kamloops, and Kelowna General electronic tools and information for Hospital following a very serious bus approximately 11 hours. This was a crash on the Coquihalla highway. It is critical situation, and I want to again difficult to appropriately express how express my heartfelt thanks to all of proud I am of everyone involved, but you for pulling together as a team. I attempted to do so in my Sept. 2 message. As noted in my message to staff, I heard many stories about how people This summer’s events have challenged pitched in to help and worked together us, but I believe we’re a stronger team to find solutions. In exceptional for working through them together circumstances like this, we need to – and coming out on top. be able to rely on one another and support one another – and everyone Cole’s song ends with the lyric, “You'll did just that. wish that summer could always be here,” but after this summer, I’m willing The B.C. Day weekend brought us to bet that a number of us are not the “crazy” from Cole’s old song. With entirely disappointed to see autumn a major music festival scheduled, many on the horizon.
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n preparing for the 2015 Employee Engagement Survey, we want to know what each Gallup Q12 question means to you, and how it relates to your level of employee engagement.
The Your Opinions Count topic in the @IH Summer issue focused on what “opportunity” means to you. We posed the Gallup question: At work, I have the opportunity to do what I do best every day. We heard several responses from employees.
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... I have the opportunity to show my passion and love of my job by giving good, competent care to the people I support ...
... When I can start my day doing what I do best, I
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am immediately engaged in the work and this focus/ enthusiasm propels me even when I am faced with tasks that I am less skilled at or enjoy less ...
The September Your Opinions Count topic for discussion is: In the last seven days, I have received recognition or praise for doing good work.
Vicki Unrau from IH’s Payroll team shows Flat Stanley what she does best at work every day … help people get paid! In this case it’s reimbursements for Stanley’s travel expenses; unfortunately for him, this cheque is only for show.
Gallup’s data reveals that the key to effective recognition is that it is honest and based on outcomes that are measurable. Additionally, individual employee recognition (i.e., at least told they have done a good job) should occur once every seven days. And, you can never give too much recognition if it is honest and deserved. With that in mind, what does “recognition” mean to you? Have you received recognition in the last seven days from a manager or co-worker? Does recognition contribute to your level of engagement at work? Does one influence the other? Tell us what you think! Please send your feedback to YourOpinionsCount and we’ll share excerpts in the next @IH. Visit the Engagement web page for more engagement resources and to view the complete list of responses. To see more photos of Flat Stanley’s adventures around IH, visit our Facebook page.
Patient Story: Sam’s Strength
Sam looks over the garden he lovingly tends at his Cranbrook home.
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am Buonerba spends most of the day outside in his yard where he chats with neighbours and keeps watch over his bountiful vegetable garden.
Dr. Andreas says it is both Sam’s strong character, family support, and the care he has received from Interior Health’s integrated team of health professionals that has allowed him to live independently.
His daughter says it’s a bit miraculous that her 87-year-old dad embraces life so joyfully, considering the health issues Daughter Mary Lancaster is a constant advocate for Sam’s he has conquered over the past decade. She suspects most independence. She takes him grocery shopping, although people would either be dead or in a residential facility. sometimes he will walk the three blocks himself because he “doesn’t like to bother anyone.” His family physician, Dr. Greg Andreas, is equally impressed. Sam, who has diabetes, had a heart attack She admits the house and yard is a lot of work – they 12 years ago and didn’t mention it for 24 hours. In 2008, hire people to help with maintenance inside and out. he developed a sore on his foot as a result of his diabetes, which led to a below-the-knee amputation. Complications “But he doesn’t want to leave his home. He is happy and in 2013 required further surgery and aggressive wound he thrives, so we just do what we can to help him out. care. He also has all his faculties, so we don’t have safety concerns.” But despite all that, Sam has had only two visits to the emergency room, one for a broken wrist and the other When Sam isn’t developing his own corn seed or watering for a dressing change. his produce, he goes to lawn bowling or gets together for lunch with his former CP Rail colleagues. He reads the local “I’m feeling not too bad these days,” says Sam in a daily newspaper and also Prevention magazine because he telephone interview from his house where he has lived enjoys health articles. since the 1950s. “I have a very good doctor, and the nurses – they all took really good care of me.” Mary says her dad has had exceptional care from the overall health system. His surgeon was terrific when his He doesn’t see his GP or the Home Health nurses much leg was amputated, and when Sam thought his these days now that his wound has healed so well. He independence was over, Dr. Andreas had another patient goes to the primary health centre for a checkup once with a prosthesis come by to show him it was possible to a year where RN Mary Miskulin, a chronic disease get back on his feet. management nurse, makes sure he is still coping well with his diabetes. Rehabilitation services helped teach him how to manoeuvre with an artificial limb and before long Sam was back in the “The last time he came in, he was unchanged. I thought garden. for sure I would see a decline, but he does amazingly well,” says Mary. It wasn’t a surprise for his daughter Mary, who knew firsthand about his strength. She saw it when her mom, With the help of his grandson, Sam plants a garden every Maria, became ill with dementia and Sam looked after spring. “Oh, I grow everything. I grow beans, carrots, her singlehandedly for years at home. lettuce, corn, squash…I give it all away. But it makes me feel good to grow things,” Sam says with a lovely accent She was relieved the health system was there for him that reveals his Italian roots. He immigrated to Canada at when it came time to help Sam stay healthy at home. age 26.
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East Kootenay Division of Family Practice has chosen frail seniors and patients with two or more chronic conditions as the target population requiring additional supports from the health authority. The Integrated Primary and Community Care (IPCC) initiative (built upon the previous Integrated Health Network) provides additional funding for patients who need extra help to manage their illnesses at homeand out of acute or residential care. Eighty-seven-year-old Sam Buonerba is registered in this program through his physician’s office. Dr. Greg Andreas is supported in his care of Sam through the IPCC nurse and Cranbrook diabetes education centre.
Education Opportunities
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t was time to make a change. Working as an RN in a larger community, like Kamloops, didn’t hold the same interest for Amy Bordas as working in a smaller, rural community. However, to work in a rural community, it would require a broader skill set in order to accommodate the diversity of health-care needs that present on a day-to-day basis. Amy would need some additional education.
Interior Health’s Specialty Education Program supports the professional development of front-line staff by providing financial assistance with their career plans. As part of this program, participants are compensated for the cost of tuition, textbooks, and wage coverage for clinical education experiences.
Amy’s process began with a phone call to the Lillooet Hospital hiring manager, who connected her with Monica Adamack, Regional Practice Leader, Clinical Education. Monica identified the additional education Amy would need to work as an RN in Lillooet and assigned Amy with completing the application to the Specialty Education Program. This form would identify Amy’s education needs and ensure they aligned with her career goals. Amy’s application to the Specialty Education Program was approved and funding was provided for the critical care course Amy was already enrolled in, as well as for a perinatal course.
Amy has completed Specialty Education courses, enabling her to get the job she wanted.
adding that the training will be put to good use. “There are so many babies that come here for delivery. After taking the perinatal course, I feel totally comfortable helping a woman in labour. I’ve gone from zero to 10,” says Amy. “People expect and trust a nurse to have the skills required to do the job. Now I feel like I can actually help people and I am safe.”
The one-year, critical care course was taken from Calgary’s Mount Royal University and the four-month perinatal course from Prince George’s University of Northern British Columbia. The Specialty Education Program paid for the cost of Amy’s books and tuition (correspondence). Then, upon course completion, clinical Amy says the critical care course has practicums were required. taught her how to use the on-site critical care equipment, medications, and Amy has now graduated from both protocols, which will help her save lives. programs and works as an RN at the Lillooet Hospital and Health Centre. The “I am so pleased that IH had faith to change she set out to make completed invest in me. Please accept my many, and successful. many thanks! There are not a lot of opportunities out there; it’s nice that we Amy says she is grateful for the funding have this program. It really brings up the of her perinatal and critical care studies, calibre of employees at IH.”
The program provides about $2 million in funding each year to qualifying candidates and, since the program began in 2004, more than 1,000 IH employees have participated in these valuable learning opportunities. The decision on which applicants to fund is based on the total amount of funding available and an understanding of which types of skills IH needs each year. Education areas of focus include: emergency, critical care, perinatal, neonatal, pediatrics, perioperative, postoperative, renal, mental health, rural health, wound care, diabetes, and geriatrics. The application phase of the Specialty Education Program is open once a year, from the second week of April until the end of May. If you need more info or have a question about the program, ask your clinical nurse educators or contact Monica Adamack.
5 Ws A
ccreditation is a word we hear from time to time around IH – you may even have the accreditation seal in your email signature. Given we are embarking on another round of accreditation, let’s take a quick look at the "who, what, when, why, and where.”
Following the site visits, Accreditation Canada delivers their decision and provides us with a report identifying strengths and recommendations for areas that require improvement.
Where? Everywhere! The
accreditation process involves nearly everyone at Interior Health. Through online surveys, employees and We seek accreditation from physicians have an opportunity to Accreditation Canada, an independent, provide their perspective on how their not-for-profit organization. Their team is performing against a set of surveyors are experienced health-care national standards, and whether we professionals from accredited facilities are continuing to cultivate a culture of who examine our services in relation patient safety, quality, and excellence. to national standards of excellence. Accreditation supports Accreditation is a process our vision to set new standards of that helps us assess, measure, and excellence in the delivery of health improve the work we do to support services in the Province of British high quality and safe patient care Columbia. The quality improvement across Interior Health. journey is an ongoing one; we are always seeking a higher level of “The process of accreditation helps performance and better outcomes the entire organization work together for our patients, clients, and their to create a focus on safety and quality,” families. When people come into one says Lia Briceno, IH Accreditation of our sites and see that we are Leader. “It brings evidence-informed accredited, they know that we have practices to the forefront and supports met or exceeded national standards their uptake.” of excellence.
Who?
What?
When? Accreditation is an
ongoing cycle. We last went through the process in 2012 and much work has been done since then to improve systems and processes identified as needing improvement at that time. There are a number of activities taking place before the Accreditation Canada surveyors arrive again in September 2015, starting with online self assessments and the patient safety culture survey this fall. Teams will then participate in practice sessions in anticipation of the surveyors’ visit.
Why?
“I would like to acknowledge and personally thank everyone in IH for their hard work in preparing and undertaking our accreditation journey,” says Lia. She also says you can find more information by visiting the Accreditation web page on the InsideNet under Quality & Patient Safety, or email Lia at lia.briceno@interiorhealth.ca with your questions. Above: James Chan, Manager Quality and Patient Safety (IH Central & East) & Accreditation, and Lia Briceno proudly display IH’s Certificate of Accreditation with Commendation from 2012/13.
Lia Briceno Leader, Accreditation Lia Briceno accepted the role of Leader, Accreditation in May 2014, following more than three years as an Evaluation Analyst in Planning and Strategic Services. As Leader, Lia is responsible for all aspects of planning, coordinating, and organizing key deliverables identified by Accreditation Canada and undertaken by IH in carrying out our goal to achieve accredited status. Lia sees the move from evaluation to accreditation as a natural one and she is excited by the opportunity she has to work with everyone across IH in both clinical and non-clinical roles. When not working on accreditation, Lia spends her time hiking, cooking, and cross-country skiing. She’s particularly fond of her beach cruiser and uses it for what it’s built to do – cycle to local beaches.
ICUs in Sync nformatics RN may sound like a title from a sci-fi movie, but these dedicated, data-collecting nurses in the six larger Intensive Care Units across Interior Health are looking to make a very real impact on quality care for critical care patients.
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The critical care informatics RNs are part of a Critical Care and Acute Services team pulling together data for the B.C. ICU Database. This means that, for the first time in B.C., ICUs from across the province can collect and report the same clinical information. “ICU physicians and nurses will have very specific, quantitative information on the patients they are seeing in their units. This will allow IH to better align our services with the acuity of the patients we are seeing and their specific needs,” says Jaymi Chernoff, Network Director, Critical Care & On-Call Physician Specialty Services.
Informatics RNs Karyn Neenan (L) and Mary Poelzer in the ICU at KGH.
Regional Hospital in Trail have been using the database since 2012 and have already been able to target improvements in 48 hour re-intubation rates, days on ventilator, glycemic control, and sedation/agitation scores in their ICUs. Now, Informatics RNs are also in place at “It lets us focus clinical efforts on where they can best ICUs in Penticton Regional, Vernon Jubilee, East Kootenay serve patients. Previously, the depth of information we had Regional, and Kelowna General hospitals. did not fully reflect the care that was being provided to our ICU patients.” The database isn’t just about comparing and targeting improvements within IH. With similar information being Royal Inland Hospital in Kamloops and Kootenay Boundary collected across the province for the first time ever, IH
Top: The IH Critical Care Informatics RNs team. Back row L-R: Misty Collins (VJH), Karyn Neenan (KGH), Karen Bruce (RIH), Marie-Christine Cadieux (EKRH), and Jaymi Chernoff. Front row L-R: Katharine Hanley (PRH), Tracy Canuel (RIH), Lynne James (KBRH), and Mary Poelzer (KGH).
can have a standardized way of looking at the acuity of patients seen in our ICUs and compare it with other like-sized hospitals in the rest of the province. “It’s about comparing apples to apples with other ICUs using unsurpassable amounts of data compared to what we have had in the past,” says Jaymi. The initiative is about measuring trends over time to make systematic long-term improvements for patients and clinicians, rather than making day-to-day adjustments. Having measurable data will also make for a stronger case when requesting resources for our ICUs, both within IH and provincially because we have specific, quantitative data to represent IH’s needs. “It really has the potential to be a game changer on so many levels for our critical care teams, and subsequently our patients here in IH,” says Dr. Ryan Foster, Medical Director, Critical Care Network. “Not only will this data allow us to focus in great detail on potential areas that need further attention, it will also provide us with the information about what things we are doing well. Further, we can trend it over time within IH as a whole, but also tailor our information to the successes and areas for improvement at each individual hospital. When one hospital is having successes in areas that others might be struggling in, we can share learned successes and struggles together.” Jaymi adds, “This has the potential to support evidence-based decision making for our physicians, nurses, allied health professionals, administrators and all the way to the senior executive level. In the end, this is about making sure our patients get the care they need and are able to leave the ICU as soon as possible.”
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odium consumption is a major public health issue in Canada. The majority of Canadians eat more than double the amount of sodium required for good health. Related health risks include high blood pressure, stroke, heart disease, and kidney disease. That’s why the province is making some changes. Last year, B.C. hospitals and care facilities were mandated to meet new standards that focus on reducing the amount of sodium in meals served to patients and residents.
without compromising flavour. “As a health authority, we need to lead by example,” says Janice Banman, Area Manager, Support Services. “We have seen good success in reducing sodium in patient and resident meals. The provincial goal is a 25 per cent reduction.
“In 2011/2012, IH Support Services completed a baseline and found we were already lower than average. We were at 2,700 mg in the first year. In 2012 and 2013, Using a gradual approach, health authorities are working we did some work, and have now gone from 2,700 down to lower sodium by at least 10 per cent annually to achieve to 2,400 mg – and we expect that will drop another 100 the target of 2,300 milligrams per day by the year 2016 mg in the next year. We are committed to keeping favorite or sooner. Plans may include removing salt packages from items on the menu, and implementing changes gradually. trays, using more herbs and spices, cooking with less salt, We always keep residents and patients in mind.” and buying lower sodium products. A recent letter from Lorrie Cramb, Acting Provincial By applying new approaches and gradually reducing Nutritionist, acknowledged IH’s work in this area, stating: sodium each year, the goal is to reach sodium targets
“The BC Ministry of Health would like to thank Interior Health Authority for its continued commitment to lower the sodium content of patient and resident meals. Your 2014/2015 Annual Implementation Plan for Sodium Reduction in Health Care was received on May 9th, 2014. After reviewing your plan it is clear that you have developed thoughtful strategies to decrease the level of sodium in patient and resident meals by sourcing lower sodium menu items.” For more information on sodium and your health, call Dietitian Services at HealthLink BC by dialing 8-1-1 and ask to speak to a Registered Dietitian.
Christy Dwyer, a patient at Penticton Regional Hospital, with Food Services Worker Sherri Phipps. Christy and other patients stand to benefit from reduced sodium in their meals.
Visit HealthyFamiliesBC to learn more.
Times have changed. These days we are much more health conscious than we were in the 1960s, and meals in our facilities contain less salt.
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BEFORE
Food Services staff in Vernon play an important role in preparing tasty meals with less sodium than in the past. Pictured making shephard’s pie are: Terrie Gibson, Dave Marshall (in the foreground), Randy Dunn, Kevin Swetlishoff, and Drew Johnson.
AFTER
Summerland
Our Community
The District of Summerland is committed to improving the health and wellness of its residents and has been working with Interior Health’s Healthy Community team to expand this focus. The Province recently announced it will be working with district and area trailadvocacy groups to construct a one-kilometre Summerland Lakeshore Pathway. This newest addition to Summerland’s trail system will provide an important route for cyclists and pedestrians and help promote active transportation.
At a glance Population: Approx. 11,000 Health Services: Summerland Health Services, as well as community and residential programs and services. Economy: Tourism, agriculture, and viticulture.
In addition, there are new safe wide sidewalks in the downtown core, quality baseball diamonds and soccer fields, a recreation centre with an indoor pool, an arena, two golf courses, and a sailing club that offers lessons to young and old alike. All of this serves to encourage residents to stay active and fit.
In our own words...
“Summerland has all of the benefits of a small, intimate community with the larger centres of Penticton and Kelowna only minutes away. It has something for everyone: Okanagan Lake beaches and parks, the Canada Trail, street festivals, biking trails, a historic steam railway, along with award-winning wineries, restaurants, and music and drama festivals. Our patients regularly comment on our friendly, compassionate, and professional staff and that coming to a smaller health facility allows them to be more at ease.” – Carla McGregor, Administrative Support Services Coordinator, Summerland Health Centre
Trail Submitted by: Kara Hannigan Kelowna Submitted by: Steve Illingworth
Golden - Kinbasket Lake Submitted by: Anne O’Keefe
Nelson Submitted by: Lisa Quinn
Where We Live & Work ... A Spotlight on Our Communities Our employees regularly share photos of the spectacular scenery that surrounds them wherever they are in the IH region. Majestic mountain ranges, pristine pine-fringed lakes, blossom-filled orchards, abundant vineyards, and thick forests alive with wildlife are just some of the beautiful things that make up these places we call home. Covering over 215,000 square kilometres, Interior Health is diverse in nature and composed of vibrant urban centres and unique rural communities. This @IH feature shines a spotlight on many of these places ‌ and perhaps will entice you to add them to your travel wish list. This month we feature photos near Trail, Kelowna, Nelson, and Golden.
Submit your photos of the beautiful places that make up IH: InsideNetWebmaster@interiorhealth.ca
snapshots from the region ... Dr. Trevor Corneil, Medical Health Officer, gets a rapid HIV test from Health Outreach Nurse, Jenna Ziegler at the Okanagan Pride Festival in Kelowna. The nurses were at the festival as part of Interior Health’s STOP HIV Program. Testing events like these are effective at reaching high-risk groups and those who may not access HIV testing through more traditional medical settings.
Jolene Steeves-Eschyschyn, Recreation Therapist, and Jillian McCormick, Occupational Therapist, give the plants a quick drink in one of the raised garden beds located in Hillside Psychiatric Centre’s three outdoor courtyards. The garden beds, which were built by Mark Muir, Hillside’s Maintenance Engineer, were brought to life by donations from local greenhouses. Jolene says Hillside’s clients have embraced the responsibility of keeping up the gardens, which is an important part of their rehabilitation, and the riot of colour has prompted many smiles around the facility.
Norman Embree, Board Chair, chats with volunteers of Kootenay Lake Hospital Auxiliary gift shop in Nelson. The visit was part of a road trip with our CEO Dr. Robert Halpenny to sites in Kootenay Boundary. The duo also visited Arrow Lakes Hospital in Nakusp, the Slocan Community Health Centre and Residential Care in New Denver, and the Castlegar and District Community Health Centre. Unfortunately, due to an unexpected road closure, they were unable to make their planned visit to Kaslo; however, Dr. Halpenny did get to Kaslo in late August.
Overlander Extended Care residential care facility, together with IH’s Smoking Cessation program, launched an employee smoking cessation campaign on June 1. On Aug. 15, Overlander proudly celebrated their employees’ successes by washing the vehicles of any staff member who had either gone smoke free or had attempted to reduce his or her smoking. Here, Jeff Conners, Tobacco Reduction Coordinator, helps clean a licence plate along with: (L-R) Nadeen Gavelin-Cook, RN; Matt Renfrew, Assistant Manager; Denise Slevin, Manager; and Gloria Chapman, Administrative Assistant.
Kelowna Public Health Nurses Tavia Cahill and Stacy Mutch distribute sunscreen samples at Kelowna’s Water Park to promote Sun Safety. They also handed out the Canadian Cancer Foundation pamphlet’s, Let's Have Sunsafe Fun for Everyone. The pamphlets conveyed the ABCDEs of early skin cancer detection, the myths of tanning, and skin cancer prevention tips. Tavia and Stacy's sun safe messages and the Ombrelle sunscreen samples were well received by all parents.
Health Minister Terry Lake was at RIH on Aug. 5 to help launch UBC's new residency training sites for family practice, based at RIH and Lions Gate Hospital in North Vancouver, and for emergency medicine, based at Kelowna General Hospital. Minister Lake was joined by the six new residents in the UBC Family Practice Residency, as well as Nancy Serwo, RIH Interim Health Services Administrator, and Dr. Kraig Montalbetti, who serves as a faculty member.