Healthier You

Healthier You 

2016 

Spring 

easy 

camping 

recipes! 

Page 30 

Divisions 

of Family 

Practice 

Grassroots healthcare 

change in 

your community 

Surgical 

initiative 

Puts patients at the 

centre of their care 

paving 

the way 

Telehealth clinics 

for post-transplant 

follow-up 

Page 26 

Better information, better care: Aboriginal Self Identification – p. 10

Volume 2, Issue 1 

coverstory 

paving 

the way 

Spring 

2016 

Telehealth clinics for 

post-transplant follow-up 

p.26 

Technology is helping patients in rural 

communities who otherwise must travel 

long distances to attend appointments. 

p.30 

Spring is here and many families are anxious 

to go camping. Here are some healthy, easyprep 

meal ideas for your next trip. 

inside 

Divisions of Family Practice Page 6 

Formed to encourage doctors to work in family practice, 

this grassroots approach has spread to 230 

B.C. communities. 

Quick and nutritious recipes Page 8 

Healthy recipes from Interior Health Registered Dietitian 

Laura Kalina and Cheryl Christian. 

Teamwork ACTs to help those 

at riskPage 14 

Assertive Community Treatment teams in Kelowna 

and Kamloops reach out to help people with significant 

mental health and substance use issues. 

Early Recovery After SurgerYPage 22 

Surgical initiative puts patients at the centre of their 

care – where they belong. 

Right care keeps seniors homePage 24 

A project in Kamloops this winter helped frail seniors 

recover at home instead of in hospital. 

Better information, better carePage 10 

Aboriginal Self Identification helps Interior Health meet 

human resources needs while supporting the health-care 

needs of our communities. 

spring 2016 Healthier You 3

WELCOMEmessage 

Chris Mazurkewich, 

President & CEO Interior Health 

Welcome from 

Interior Health 

I love spring. As things green up all 

around us and the days lengthen and 

brighten, I am excited to get my bicycle 

back on the road. Fellow cyclists will 

understand the clarity of thought that 

comes through a long ride. 

At Interior Health, we greet this 

spring with a clear focus. An aging 

population, growing rates of chronic 

disease, new treatments and technology, 

and competing demands for healthcare 

dollars make it important we 

allocate our time, resources, and energy 

strategically. 

There are five strategies that will be our top priority, guiding much of our 

work for the next three years: 

1. Enhance access to appropriate primary 

health care. 

2. Improve primary and community care 

outcomes and delivery for frail seniors 

living with complex chronic conditions. 

3. Improve primary and community 

care outcomes for mental health 

and substance use clients. 

4. Improve timely access to elective 

surgery. 

5. Implement a renewed system of care 

to improve access and service quality 

across rural and remote communities, 

including continuing to build relationships 

with Aboriginal partners to ensure health care 

RURAL AND 

ABORIGINAL 

HEALTH 

PRIMARY 

HEALTH CARE 

SURGICAL ACCESS 

SENIORS CARE 

MENTAL 

HEALTH AND 

SUBSTANCE 

USE 

is provided in a culturally safe and sensitive way. 

Our goal over the next three years is to reduce the growth in demand at 

hospitals and emergency departments, to free up the facilities to care for the 

acutely ill while people recovering from illness, coping with chronic medical 

conditions, or at the end of life, are primarily supported through communitybased 

programs. 

These strategies are demonstrated throughout our latest issue of Healthier 

You. Stories highlight our efforts to build relationships with our physician 

partners around primary care; help mental health and substance use clients 

get out of hospital and into new homes; enhance surgical services; increase 

the number of Aboriginal staff in our work-force; and leverage technology 

to support patients in rural communities. Watch for icons that represent our 

strategic areas in the stories throughout the magazine. 

Enjoy the read, and whether you are on a bike, a hiking path, or out in the 

garden, I hope you have an opportunity to celebrate the arrival of spring and 

reflect on how you can further support your own healthy living. 

Healthier You 

Volume 2, Issue 1 – Spring 2016 

Interior Health 

Published by: 

PUBLISHED BY interior HEALTH & GLACIER MEDIA 

Copyright ©2016. All rights reserved. Reproduction 

of articles permitted with credit. 

Contributors MENTAL / Healthier You is produced 

HEALTH 

HEALTH AND 

by the SUBSTANCE Interior Health communications team 

USE 

with contributions from public health staff, in 

partnership with Glacier Media. 

SENIORS 

CARE 

SURGICAL 

ACCESS 

Glacier Media Group 

PRIMARY 

Sales & Marketing 

HEALTH CARE 

Kevin Dergez 

Director RURAL AND 

ABORIGINAL 

of 

HEALTH 

Special Projects 

kdergez@glaciermedia.ca 


Ellyn Schriber 

Newsmedia MENTAL HEALTH Features Manager BC 

AND SUBSTANCE USE 

eschriber@glaciermedia.ca 

Keshav Sharma 

Manager Specialty Publications 

ksharma@glaciermedia.ca 

Advertising Sales 

The Daily Courier – Kelowna 

Kamloops This Week 

Creative Director / Eric Pinfold 

eric@phitted.com | www.phitted.com 

www.glaciermedia.ca 

SENIORS CARE 

RURAL AND 

ABORIGINAL 

PRIMARY 

HEALTH 

CARE 

Advertisements in this magazine are coordinated by Glacier Media. 

Interior Health does not endorse products or services. Any errors, 

omissions or opinions found in this magazine should not be attributed 

to the publisher. The authors, the publisher and the collaborating 

organizations will not assume any responsibility for commercial loss 

due to business decisions made based on the information contained 

in this magazine. Speak with your doctor before acting on any health 

information contained in this magazine. No part of this publication 

may be reproduced or transmitted without crediting Interior Health 

and Glacier Media. Printed in Canada. Please recycle. 

4 Healthier You spring 2016

Flaman is First 

in Physio 

Bikes 

For the Best In Physio 

Equipment See Us First 

Foam 

Rollers 

Stability 

Balls 

Exercise 

Mats 

Tread 

Climbers 

Resistance 

Bands 

Pilates 

Balls 

MAGIC 

MIKE

SUBSTANCE 

USE 

SURGICAL 

ACCESS 

HEALTH 

CARE 

RURAL CARE 

MENTAL 

HEALTH AND 

SUBSTANCE 

USE 

PRIMARY 

HEALTH CARE 

SENIORS CARE 


MENTAL HEALTH 



RURAL CARE 

Divisions 

of Family 

Practice: 

Grassroots 

health-care 

change in your 

community 

Family doctors across B.C. are 

working with community and 

health-care partners—including 

health authorities—to enhance 

local patient care, achieve 

common health-care goals, and 

improve professional satisfaction 

for doctors. This work is being 

done by community-based groups 

of family doctors called divisions 

of family practice. 

above: South Okanagan Similkameen 

Division of Family Practice Executive 

Director Terrie Crawford with Board Chair 

Dr. Tim Phillips. 

Divisions of family practice were formed as part of an 

effort to encourage doctors to work in family practice. 

In 2002, many medical students were opting out of 

family medicine. So Doctors of BC and the provincial 

government began looking for new ways of empowering 

doctors to build relationships in their communities, 

promote leadership, and inspire health-care change. A 

grassroots approach was needed to kickstart this change, 

and the Divisions of Family Practice initiative, funded by 

Doctors of BC and the provincial government, provided 

this. The initiative began in 2009 with three local divisions, 

and there are now 35 divisions of family practice serving 

more than 230 B.C. communities. More than 4,700 family 

doctors are members of their local division. Today, health 

authorities play a critical role in partnering with Divisions 

of Family Practice at the local level. 


There are seven divisions of family practice 

within Interior Health: 

1 Central Interior Rural, covering the towns of 100 

Mile House, Williams Lake, and Tatla Lake 

2 Central Okanagan, covering Kelowna, Westbank, 

Lake Country, and Peachland 

3 East Kootenay, covering Cranbrook, Creston, 

Fernie, Golden, Invermere, and Kimberley 

4 Kootenay Boundary, covering Castlegar, Christina 

Lake, Fruitvale, Grand Forks, Greenwood, Kaslo, 

Midway, Nakusp, Nelson, New Denver, Rock 

Creek, Rossland, Salmo, and Trail 

5 South Okanagan Similkameen, covering 

Keremeos, Oliver, Osoyoos, Penticton, Naramata, 

Summerland, and Princeton 

6 Shuswap North Okanagan, covering Armstrong, 

Enderby, Lumby, Salmon Arm, Sicamous, 

Sorrento, and Vernon 

7 Thompson Region, covering the Kamloops area 

Family doctors in local divisions meet with 

community partners and health-care stakeholders 

through committees called Collaborative Services 

Committees (CSCs). CSCs include representatives 

from the division, the local health authority, Doctors 

of BC, and the Ministry of Health. These partners 

work with other health-care stakeholders (e.g., 

representatives from municipalities, other nonprofits, 

local First Nations, and patients) to identify and address 

local health-care challenges. “The CSC structure 

enables family doctors and their partners to identify 

shared goals and determine where and how to focus 

collective efforts to meet local health-care needs,” says 

Andrew Earnshaw, Executive Director of the Kootenay 

Boundary Division. “In Kootenay Boundary, the CSC 

includes Interior Health’s local leadership from all 

portfolios: Community, Mental Health and Substance 

Use, Acute, Residential Care and Allied Health.” 

One goal of divisions is to increase access to 

primary care for local residents. This is done in a 

number of different ways, including recruiting new 

doctors to communities; creating health-care teams 

by incorporating allied health care providers such 

as nurse practitioners, dietitians, and social workers 

into group practices; supporting doctors to practice 

more efficiently so they can take on more patients; 

and providing access to telehealth technology in rural 

communities to connect patients with follow-up care. 

One example of how divisions are working to improve 

access to primary care is the Martin Street Outreach 

Centre in Penticton, a partnership of the South 

Okanagan Similkameen Division of Family Practice and 

Interior Health. The centre opened in May 2015, and is 

now providing primary care to 350 patients with mental 

health and substance use issues. Care for these patients is 

provided by a team that includes doctors, Interior Health 

Mental Health and Substance Use counsellors, a social 

worker, and a STOP HIV nurse. 

Team-based care projects in East Kootenay, Kootenay 

Boundary, and Thompson regions are also underway, 

to help patients access the care and social supports 

they need. These projects focus on the integration 

of registered nurses, social workers, and life skills 

workers into practices. “The broad health authority 

representation on the Kootenay Boundary CSC is 

particularly important as we expand team-based care 

in our region,” says Earnshaw. “With perspectives from 

across the spectrum of care, family doctors and their 

health-care partners are well positioned to identify 

approaches to best suit the health-care needs of their 

communities.” 

Divisions are also working in communities around 

the province to improve care for seniors living in 

residential care facilities, through the Residential Care 

initiative. Changes implemented by the initiative 

will ensure that facility residents are provided with 

24/7 access to a doctor, proactive doctor visits, and 

medication reviews to identify harmful interactions and 

eliminate unnecessary medications. 

To learn more about projects being worked on by the 

division of family practice in your community, visit 

www.divisionsbc.ca. 

right: Division representatives regularly meet with 

Interior Health staff and others involved in local 

health-care planning. 


Quick and nutritious 

recipes to make 

healthy eating a breeze 

These recipes are from the Low-Glycemic Meals in Minutes cookbook, 

co-authored by Interior Health Registered Dietitian Laura Kalina and 

Cheryl Christian. Learn more at www.lowgimeals.com. 

For more information about healthy eating, visit www.healthyfamiliesbc.ca 

or call HealthLink BC at 8-1-1 (toll-free). Registered dietitians are available 

Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. to answer your nutrition questions. 

Homemade Sweet 

Potato Fries 

This recipe makes six servings. 

• 3 medium sweet potatoes 

or yams 

• 2 tbsp (30 mL) olive oil 

• 1 tbsp (15 mL) paprika 

• Seasonings of choice (for 

example, oregano and basil) 

• Salt and pepper to taste 

Directions 

1) Preheat the oven to 400 F. 

2) Wash and peel sweet potato (or 

leave skin on if desired). 

3) Cut each sweet potato into oneinch 

strips or wedges, and put 

into a large bowl. 

4) Add the olive oil, paprika and 

spices to the bowl and toss 

sweet potato to coat. 

5) Place sweet potato strips on a 

foil covered baking sheet. 

6) Bake for 15 minutes on one side 

and turn them over. Bake 15 

minutes on the other side. If you 

want to crisp further, put under 

broiler for two to three minutes. 

Calories 112; carbs 16g; protein 1g; 

fat 5g; fibre 2g 

Amazing Quiche 

Makes four to six servings. 

• 4 large eggs 

• 1 ½ cups 1% milk 

• ¼ cup whole wheat flour 

• 3 tbsp cornmeal 

• 3 green onions, chopped 

• ½ red bell pepper, finely chopped 

• 1 cup low-fat cheddar cheese, grated 

• ½ tsp salt 

• ½ tsp pepper 

Directions 

1. Preheat oven to 400 F. Spray a 9-inch 

pie plate with vegetable oil. 

2. In a blender or food processor, combine 

eggs, milk, flour, and cornmeal. Blend 

for 30 seconds, until well blended. 

3. In the prepared pie plate, gently toss green onions, red pepper, grated 

cheese, salt and pepper. Pour the milk and egg mixture over the cheese 

mixture. 

4. Bake 30 minutes, or until a knife inserted in the centre comes out clean. 

Calories 168; carbs 14g; protein 14g; fat 6g; fibre 2g 

Nutrition tip: Adequate intake of both calcium and vitamin D can 

reduce the risk of developing osteoporosis. Both children and adults need 

1,000 to 1,500 mg of calcium daily, depending on age. In terms of food, that 

means consuming at least three servings of milk products every day. One 

serving includes one cup of milk or enriched soy milk, ¾ cup of yogurt, or 

1 ½ oz of cheese. Most people can’t get enough calcium and vitamin D in 

their diets, so we recommend a pharmaceutical grade calcium supplement 

containing magnesium and vitamin D. From the Low-Glycemic Meals in 

Minutes cookbook. 


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MENTAL HEALTH 



Better 

information, 

better care: 

Aboriginal Self Identification 

Growing up in the Nuxalk 

Nation on B.C.’s remote 

north coast, Kirsten Tallio 

was always taught to 

honour her elders. 

“In our culture you give high regard to 

the elderly,” she says. “I was raised by my 

grandparents and was taught that from a very 

young age.” 

Now, in her work as an LPN with Home Health 

in Kamloops, the teachings of her grandparents 

are at the forefront as Kirsten provides care and 

support for frail elders in their homes. 

Kirsten is one of more than 700 employees who 

have self-identified as Aboriginal since June 

2011 when Interior Health’s Aboriginal Self 

Identification initiative was launched for staff. 

continued on page 12 

above: Home Health Team Leader Kirsten 

Tallio is one of more than 700 Interior 

Health employees to self-identify as 

Aboriginal so far under the Aboriginal Self 

Identification initiative. 


Welcome 

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Call for a tour 

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FAX: 250-549-7281 

TF: 1-866-942-7288 

Visit the 

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Hearing can affect every aspect of your life from 

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Kelowna 

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Call Deb at 

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Ashcroft 

310B Railway Avenue 

Call toll-free 

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Sorrento 

1257 Trans Canada Highway 

Call Anna-Marie or Theresa at 

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Penticton 

2210 Main Street 

Call Brenda at 

1-888-532-0916 

Revelstoke 

305 1st Street West 

Call Jill or Linda at 

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1-888-805-1949 

MAG-USP-HYOU

continued from page 10 

“I really enjoy community care. I feel I can 

provide care in a very personal way. I enjoy 

getting to know our clients well and spending 

that one-on-one time with them.” 

“I think it’s really important for our Aboriginal 

patients and clients to have Aboriginal people 

working here and providing care,” says Kirsten. 

“If you look at something like pain level, or 

other issues that are bothering them, sometimes 

people may not tell the truth. They may view it 

as complaining, which is not their custom. But if 

I start talking to 

them about what 

band they are 

from, their family 

relations and 

cultural practices, 

they feel more 

comfortable and 

open up more.” 

“The information 

helps us develop 

and implement 

Aboriginal human resource strategies that 

encourage Aboriginal people to pursue healthcare 

careers,” says Brad Anderson, Director 

of Aboriginal Health in Interior Health. “We 

know the availability of Aboriginal health-care 

professionals is linked to improved health 

outcomes for Aboriginal people. There is a great 

opportunity to meet the human resource needs 

of our organization while also supporting the 

health-care needs of our communities.” 

“From a staff perspective, I 

think it’s important to see other 

Aboriginal staff and to hear 

their stories. 

 

The Aboriginal Self Identification initiative 

supports various elements of Interior Health’s 

Aboriginal Health and Wellness Strategy, as well 

as its Aboriginal Human Resources Strategy. 

“From a staff perspective, I think it’s important 

to see other Aboriginal staff and to hear their 

stories. I find it inspiring. I’d love to eventually 

become an RN, and knowing others have been 

on that journey and accomplished their goals is 

inspiring,” says Kirsten. 

Another important part of the Aboriginal Self 

Identification 

program is 

patient and client 

– Kirsten Tallio 

self-identifying. 

At registration, 

patients and 

clients are asked 

whether they 

self-identify as 

Aboriginal or 

Métis. Like the 

staff program, 

participation is voluntary. If they answer 

“yes”, there are additional questions, including 

whether or not they would like to be put in 

touch with unique programs and services 

such as Interior Health’s Aboriginal Patient 

Navigators. 

“It’s important to us that we provide culturally 

sensitive care,” says Brad. “Ultimately, the 

information helps us develop, implement and 

assess services that support those receiving care.” 

More info: 

Visit Interior Health at www.interiorhealth.ca to learn more 

about the Aboriginal Self Identification initiative. 


Public transit... 

It’s good for your health! 

Health Connections – Regional Transit Service 

Health Connections provides you with accessible transportation options to 

non-emergency medical appointments. Although medical appointments have 

priority, everyone is eligible to use this service if space is available. 

Chase to Kamloops 1·888·376·7525 

Creston to Cranbrook 1·877·843·2877 

Elk Valley to Cranbrook 1·855·417·4636 

Golden to Cranbrook 1·250·344·5237 

Kaslo to Nelson/Trail 1·855·993·3100 

Kimberley to Cranbrook 250·427·7400 

Lillooet/Lytton to Kamloops 1·855·359·3935 

Logan Lake to 

1·866·376·7525 

Kamloops/Kelowna 

Merritt to 

1·888·376·7525 


Nakusp to Nelson/Trail 1·855·993·3100 

Nelson/Slocan to Trail 1·855·993·3100 

100 Mile House to 

250·395·2834 

Williams Lake 

Princeton to Penticton 1·800·291·0911 

Revelstoke to 

1·866·618·8294 


Salmo to Nelson 1·855·993·3100 

Williams Lake to Kamloops 1·866·933·7812 

5224 

www.bctransit.com

RURAL CARE 

MENTAL 

HEALTH AND 

SUBSTANCE 

USE 

PRIMARY 

HEALTH CARE 

SENIORS CARE 


MENTAL HEALTH 


SURGICAL ACCESS RURAL CARE 

Teamwork 

ACTs 

to help those at risk 

above: Kelowna ACT Team 

Lead Lisa Wensink. 

Jeanette Judson, 54, has a powerful voice. Even 

when speaking about her struggles with mental 

illness, poverty and abuse, she is unabashed. 

“We need to talk about these things,” she 

says passionately. “We need to talk about 

mental health, affordable housing, and 

poverty. Our lives are not set in stone. I 

really want people to know that anyone 

could end up like I was.” 

Jeanette was found by an Assertive 

Community Treatment (ACT) team 

member living on the streets in Kamloops 

last summer, deep in crisis. She had been 

in and out of shelters for years, struggling 

to manage her mental health and make 

ends meet. 

Interior Health’s ACT team helped 

Jeanette stabilize and connected her with 

important social and health-care supports. 



ACT client Jeanette 

credits members of the 

ACT team for being an 

important part of her 

current well-being. “I 

know they want me to 

be healthy,” she says. 


Q&A 

Ho-Young Chung, DDS 

Implant and Surgical Dentistry 

603-1801 Princeton-Kamloops 

Hwy (Hwy 5A South) 

Kamloops, British Columbia V2E 2J7 

Phone: 250-372-7177 

Fax: 250-372-7109 

Email: admin@kamloopsimplants.com 

Web: www.kamloopsimplants.com

Kamloops Dental 

and Implant Solutions 

We understand that missing one tooth or all 

teeth can have a significant impact on your 

lifestyle. Missing teeth can cause a variety of 

health concerns, including issues related to 

speaking and eating and can affect your overall 

well-being. 

Dr. Ho-Young Chung, DDS, founder of Kamloops Dental and Implant Solutions 

provides innovative dental and implant solutions in a safe, gentle, and caring 

setting. With a model of patient-centred care, Dr. Chung and his dedicated implant 

and surgical team are committed to helping their patients regain their selfconfidence 

and quality of life. 

Q What innovative dental and implant solutions do you provide? 

A Whether it’s having wisdom teeth removed or dental implants placed, many of our patients have some level of 

dental anxiety. We understand that even the thought of having dental work done can be a challenge for many; this is 

why we offer several levels of sedation for our patients. 

Our goal is to provide same-day implant solutions to help minimize the number of procedures and visits. If you have a 

broken front tooth that cannot be saved, we can remove that tooth, place an implant, and attach a new tooth all in one 

appointment. This is an alternative to waiting many months for grafting to heal and wearing a partial denture that you 

have to take in and out. 

If you have a loose, floppy denture and want to be able to eat better, we can place implants and have your denture 

“clip on” all in one appointment. Patients who pursue this option at other clinics potentially wait 6-12 months before 

they have their denture securely fitted into their implants. We want our patients to heal as quickly as possible, and at 

the same time, provide affordable and predictable dental implant solutions. 

Q What makes your dental implant centre unique? 

A We want our patients to eat better, smile more, and feel younger. It’s the story of our patients who come to us that 

truly makes an impact. Whether it’s a 93-year-old widower who wants to eat better, the husband who wants his wife to 

have her smile back, or the young woman who is about to get married and has a broken front tooth — they all have a 

story to tell. We are here to listen to our patients and want them to feel at home. 

Q What makes you different from other dentists? 

A We are a referral-based centre with patients coming from Kelowna, Vernon, Penticton, Chilcotin Valley, and of 

course, Kamloops and its surrounding areas. We want to provide exceptional care by focusing our practice on implant 

dentistry. 

Q How do you share your passion for implant dentistry with other dentists? 

A I am a faculty instructor at the Bites Institute for Implant Training in Burnaby, BC, a dental implant educational 

centre dedicated to teaching other dentists incorporate implant dentistry into their everyday practice. As part of Bites 

Institute, I have the pleasure of lecturing across Canada to fellow dentists. I also am a mentor for a monthly dental 

study group at our clinic in which other local dentists meet and share ideas. 

sponsored content

Kelowna committee brings partners 

together to help vulnerable clients 

In Kelowna, a new Community Advisory Committee 

has been established to advise around social issues 

that impact ACT clients. This year, housing has been 

the Committee’s focus. The group now includes close 

to 20 members including: RCMP; Canadian Mental 

Health Association; John Howard Society; Kelowna 

General Hospital; Ministry of Justice; Outreach Urban 

Health/Rutland Aurora Health Centre; Gospel Mission; 

Métis Commission; Ki-Low-Na Friendship Society; 

Alexandra Gardner; City of Kelowna; a person with 

lived experience; a family member; Ministry of Social 

Development; BC Housing; and the ACT team. 

The Committee serves as an advisory body to the 

clinical and support staff and management of the ACT 

teams and provides valuable input into the planning and 

delivery of ACT team services in the Kelowna area. 

An individual with personal experience sits on the 

advisory committee along with a family member to 

ensure the client voice is present at the table during 

discussions. This unique committee meets quarterly 

and provides community input. 


Now she has a safe place to lay her head and access to 

a health-care team. Most of all, she has the ACT team – 

members of which she considers friends. 

“I was isolated. For years, I had no family, I had no 

friends. I was outside. It was cold and it was terrifying,” she 

says. “I am so thankful for the ACT team. I know they want 

me to be healthy and we are working together to the same 

goal. If it weren’t for them I honestly don’t know where I 

would be.” 

Jeanette is one of approximately 30 ACT clients in 

Kamloops, while a similar team in Kelowna also has about 

30 clients registered. After launching in mid-April 2015, the 

teams are actively reaching out to those in Kamloops and 

Kelowna with severe and persistent mental illness. They will 

eventually serve 80 clients in each community. 

ACT teams are actively involved in outreach and are on 

hand to stabilize crises whenever they occur. The team has 

on-call coverage 24/7. 

“These are individuals who frequently have substance use 

issues. They are homeless or at risk of homelessness, and 


they are high users of hospital and police services. Their 

care needs are complex and they have not benefitted from 

our traditional mental health and substance use programs,” 

explains Lisa Wensink, ACT team leader in Kelowna. 

“Many are referred to the team from Interior Health’s 

Mental Health programs but we also hear from our 

partners, such as local police.” 

It is these partnerships and the multidisciplinary team 

behind ACT that makes the program so unique. 

The ACT team consists of: a team leader; occupational 

therapist; four nurses; a social worker; two community 

mental health workers; vocational rehab specialist; 

substance use specialist; peer support worker; 

administrative support; and a psychiatrist. 

“The team approach is powerful and that extends to 

our partners,” says Lisa. “A big part of our work is liaising 

with them to provide a really comprehensive service. We 

frequently are in contact with police, the Canadian Mental 

Health Association, and probation services, because many 

of our clients have had legal issues. We also work with the 

hospital to ensure the transition from hospital to home is 

seamless. We work with the Ministry of Social Development 

around financial support, and also with agencies such as 

food banks and shelters.” 

“The Kelowna RCMP work very closely with street 

entrenched individuals who reside in the city’s downtown 

core, and who are often prime candidates for the ACT 

team,” says Corporal Carrie Seale, a regular member of 

the RCMP for 18 years and currently working in the 

detachment’s Downtown Enforcement Unit (DEU). 

“Having worked in this area of policing for over half my 

service, I have personally noted that more and more of our 

clients who end up homeless on the streets, often also suffer 

from persistent mental health concerns, as well as various 

substance abuse and addiction issues.” 

“The ACT team liaises directly with the RCMP on a 

regular basis for referrals and will then follow-up with these 

Kamloops team helps house homeless 

Since May 2015, ASK Wellness Rapid Rehousing team 

and the ACT team have worked together to provide 

safe and affordable housing and community supports 

to mutual clients in Kamloops. This working partnership 

is already proving to be beneficial to landlords and 

tenants. 

Called the Rapid Rehousing team, they secure housing 

throughout the community in ASK’s name with the 

intention that clients will take over tenancy when 

deemed ready. ASK provides necessary support to the 

tenant/ landlord relationship, which is imperative to 

securing and maintaining housing. 

The ACT team provides the necessary clinical services, 

which reassures participating landlords that each tenant 

is adequately supported and available to them as 

needed. 

“ACT team members are always easy to get a hold 

of for assistance and consultation. Their service is 

24 hours each day, whether it be in person or by 

telephone, which reassures landlords that they have a 

support team to turn to if they need guidance,” says 

ASK Wellness Social Worker Kim Galloway. “One 

landlord in the program reported a 15 minute response 

time from the time she called for assistance. An 

ACT member along with a Rapid Rehousing member 

addressed her concern immediately and tenancy was 

maintained.” 

“As part of the Rapid Rehousing team, I have seen the 

success of this program grow very quickly. The roles of 

ASK and ACT are distinct; however, we work together 

to ensure the success of the program. Landlord 

response is very positive and there is a recognised 

appreciation for the level of commitment to both 

housing support and clinical services. We are excited 

for continued work with the ACT team and further 

expansion and development of our program.” 

We specialize in placing 

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TF: 1.855.CALLSPH 

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390-546 St. Paul Street 

Kamloops, B.C. 

V2C 5T1 


left: Kelowna ACT Team 

Lead Lisa Wensink (centre 

back) cites teamwork, 

partnerships and peer 

support as keys to the 

program’s success. 

target clients countless times a day. ACT has often 

been the light at the end of the tunnel for officers 

who deal with the repetitive calls for service 

directly related to these troubled individuals,” 

explains Cpl. Seale. “As a result, the Kelowna 

RCMP has noted a decrease in calls for service 

with these specific clients. When circumstances 

arise that require police to intervene, ACT is 

usually just a quick call away,” adds Cpl. Seale. 

“When called upon, the ACT team provides a 

varied and comprehensive response, which ranges 

from attending the detachment’s cell block, to 

providing assistance in navigating a burdensome 

system, to taking over the care of clients at the 

hospital. ACT has been a valued partner of the 

RCMP, as the variety of services provided by this 

team is a recipe for success.” 

A lot of healing, hope and 

validation take place when 

peers come together. 

 

– Davina Kula, ACT Team 

Peer support is another key aspect of the ACT 

approach. The team includes a person with lived 

experience - someone who has been in the clients’ 

shoes and is able to advocate and ensure their 

voices are heard during planning and discussions. 

Peer support puts the person first. It is not a 

replacement for clinical services, rather, a powerful 

complement to it. 

“We are the experts on ourselves and we can 

learn to self-advocate and use our voices. I 

would not be here without my vast peer support 

network. Peer supporters sit shoulder-toshoulder, 

holding each person in unconditional 

high regard, by role modeling wellness and 

empowerment, and reminding us that recovery 

is possible. We are the evidence,” states Davina 

Kula, peer support specialist with the Kelowna 

ACT team. “I am so grateful and blessed to bear 

witness to my peers living outside the illness 

during group outings, while we explore activities 

and practices for our wellness toolbox. A lot of 

healing, hope and validation take place when peers 

come together. Peer support in action!” 

“The peer support role is absolutely vital,” 

agrees Lisa. “They are often the voice of hope for 

the client. They are there to show that people can 

be well and healthy and that recovery is possible. 

They do a lot of engaging with people to make 

them feel less alone. They are often seen by the 

client as a safe person to be with, since clients may 

not have a positive view of health care.” 

Clients with the ACT program may be seen 

three times a week, or twice a day. They may be 

part of the program for two years, or indefinitely. 

The supports are driven by the client’s needs, and 

it is a long-term commitment. 

Although relatively new and still growing its 

client base, the program is working. 

“This is a really well–researched approach with 

a lot of supporting data in terms of decreasing 

homeless, decreasing hospital visits, decreasing 

legal issues,” says Lisa. “We have clients who have 

had a lot of challenges. They are able to start 

school, do some work, get housing – and start to 

trust our health system. They are able to live an 

optimum life in the community.” 

To learn more about the Assertive Community 

Treatment approach and how these teams are making 

a difference for some of the most vulnerable clients 

in Kamloops and Kelowna, visit www.act-bc.com. 


For over thirty years, the Royal Inland Hospital Foundaon has existed to 

build long-lasng relaonships and inspire donors to support life-saving 

medical care at the one and only hospital in our community. With limited 

hospital funding and resources, the RIH Foundaon relies on the generosity 

of our supporters to fund crical health care iniaves that contribute 

to compassionate, high-quality care and the well-being of paents 

and their families. 

When you leave a legacy gi to the Royal Inland Hospital, you are having 

a direct impact on healthcare excellence at RIH for years to come. Legacy 

giving is a wonderful way to support the things you care about most, 

today and far into the future. Legacy gis provide life-saving care, stateof-the-art 

equipment and medical educaon opportunies that ensure 

the medical team at our hospital has the tools they need to care for our 

community. 

“It is impossible for the government to 

meet all of our needs. Therefore, 

those who are capable of contribung, 

no maer the amount, should 

consider supporng RIH. Our hospital 

is a great community resource and we 

need to support the talented doctors, 

nurses and other staff so they are able 

to properly care for each one of us.” 

Robbie Dunn, RIH Foundaon Legacy 

Circle Member 

A legacy gi can take many forms including a bequest in your Will, a gi of life insurance or beneciary designa- 

on of your RRSP/RRIF. Everyone who makes a legacy gi to RIH Foundaon is welcomed into our Legacy Circle 

Society. It’s our way of recognizing your generosity and commitment to RIH. Call the RIH Foundaon at 

250.314.2836 for more informaon on how to create your own legacy at Royal Inland Hospital. 

www.rihfoundaon.ca

USE 

PRIMARY 

HEALTH CARE 

SENIORS CARE 


MENTAL HEALTH 



RURAL CARE 

Surgical 

initiative: 

Putting patients at the 

centre of their care 

Most of us regard surgery as something that is done to patients by 

physicians and nurses. But that thinking is going by the wayside at 

Interior Health hospitals, thanks to a quality initiative called Enhanced 

Recovery after Surgery (ERAS). 

“Enhanced Recovery is about doing WITH patients, and not TO 

patients,” says Garth Vatkin, Interior Health’s Quality Improvement 

Consultant for surgical initiatives. “When patients are partners in their 

care, it results in better outcomes.” 

Enhanced Recovery is designed to help patients recover from major 

surgery more safely and easily than ever before. It’s a multidisciplinary 

approach – every health-care professional who touches the patient 

is included and involved along the way, from initial consultation in 

the surgeon’s office, to pre-surgical screening, to the anesthesiologist 

and operating room staff, to the post-operative recovery team which 

includes nurses, pharmacists, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, 

and dietitians. 

above: Kelowna anesthesiologist 

Dr. Ron Collins is an advocate for 

Enhanced Recovery, an approach that 

puts more control in patients’ hands 

and results in fewer complications 

post-surgery. 

credit: Photo courtesy of the Royal 

College of Physicians and 

Surgeons of Canada. 


“This team approach has a 

huge benefit – everyone works in 

conjunction, with the goal of best 

patient care in mind,” Garth says. 

“Patients themselves take a larger role 

and responsibility in their care. They 

are given more information than ever 

before about what to expect with their 

surgery, before, during and after. They 

are really willing partners in their 

treatment and recovery.” 

Enhanced Recovery was introduced 

within Interior Health in 2011, 

through a pilot project at Kelowna 

General Hospital led by Dr. Ron 

Collins, which focused on colorectal 

surgery. Colorectal was chosen because 

research is strong in this area and 

indicated that patient outcomes can 

be improved by implementing an 

Enhanced Recovery program. 

It was a groundbreaking initiative 

because the actions associated with 

Enhanced Recovery challenged 

traditional practices, such as: 

carbohydrate loading before surgery, as 

opposed to starving patients; chewing 

gum in post-op, and feeding people 

earlier, to stimulate bowels; speeding 

up mobility by encouraging patients 

to walk from the stretcher to his or her 

bed; and removing the catheter earlier. 

Dr. Collins and his team began 

seeing positive outcomes from the 

work. Length of stay for patients 

started to decrease and patients 

expressed higher level of satisfaction by 

being more involved and accountable 

in their care. 

“I think the real success of ERAS 

is that it demonstrates how a 

multidisciplinary team of committed 

front-line providers can positively 

impact the health-care system,” Dr. 

Collins says. “This initiative very 

deliberately mobilized patients to 

participate more actively in their own 

recovery, and they prove to be willing 

and capable partners. We also now 

clearly understand that many, if not 

most, complications can be avoided by 

changing the way we provide care.” 

Others in Interior Health took notice 

of KGH’s results. By October 2013, 

through the sponsorship of Doctors 

of BC’s Special Services Committee, 

ERAS had spread to six other hospitals: 

Royal Inland Hospital in Kamloops; 

Penticton Regional Hospital; Vernon 

Jubilee Hospital; Kootenay Boundary 

Regional Hospital in Trail; East 

Kootenay Regional Hospital in 

Cranbrook; and Cariboo Memorial 

Hospital in Williams Lake. Each site 

has introduced ERAS in varying ways, 

depending on what best suited their 

individual hospital and patient needs. 

Royal Inland in particular was an 

enthusiastic participant and has shown 

great gains. For example surgical site 

infections have dropped by nearly 65 

per cent, and the average length of 

patient stay has dropped to 5.2 days, 

from 7.6 days before ERAS. 

One reason Royal Inland has 

been able to excel is that it has 

coupled its Enhanced Recovery 

program with its National Surgical 

Quality Improvement Program 

(NSQIP). NSQIP is a data-driven, 

outcomes-based surgical quality 

improvement program that enables 

hospitals to identify opportunities 

for improvement for patient care and 

outcomes. The program follows the 

entire surgical patient’s journey from 

pre-operative, through intra-operative, 

to 30 days after their surgery. 

Donna Lineker, Royal Inland’s 

manager of post-anesthetic recovery, 

day care surgery and pre-surgical 

screening, says the key to the 

Kamloops hospital’s success has been 

the teamwork of the care providers, 

championed by surgeon Dr. Tom 

Wallace. 

“It’s a group effort. The entire team 

is doing what’s best for the patient, 

based on good, scientific research and 

best practice,” Donna says. “It makes it 

easy. Everyone knows the expectations 

and can see the results. Patients are 

going home in two-and-a-half, three 

days, and they aren’t coming back. 

This is excellent quality patient care 

that is patient-centred.” 

The proof is in the patient 

feedback. Consider these 

follow-up comments from 

patients: 

“Excellent personalized care. Had 

great follow up by surgeon, surgical 

resident, anesthetist, recovery room 

nurse and nurse in charge.” 

“Excellent nursing care. They really 

helped me mobilize which sped my 

recovery.” 

“(Enhanced Recovery) was pivotal in 

my recovery and it should be used 

in all surgeries it is applicable to. 

It provided me and my family with 

all the information we needed to 

be comfortable and ‘in the know’ 

with my recovery and all the steps 

along the way. This was a ‘top 

notch’ experience and I fully credit 

(Enhanced Recovery) with my great 

outcome and surgical experience.” 

Interior Health’s success with 

Enhanced Recovery has made it a 

provincial leader in the initiative. In 

November 2014, Royal Inland and 

Kelowna General joined the Provincial 

ERAS Collaborative, which is cochaired 

by Garth and Dr. Collins, 

along with Dr. Ahmer Karimuddin, 

general surgeon at St. Paul’s Hospital 

in Vancouver. The Collaborative’s 

goal is that every patient undergoing 

surgery in B.C. will be part of an ERAS 

pathway as part of his or her surgical 

experience. 

“People know this is the best way 

to practice,” Garth says. “We know 

that complications are avoidable, 

and improved ‘processes of care’ 

equate to improved results. We are all 

accountable for our patients’ outcomes 

– and the multidisciplinary approach 

of Enhanced Recovery has shown to 

result in positive outcomes.” 

More info: 

Please visit 

www.enhancedrecoverybc.ca 


HEALTH AND 

SUBSTANCE 

USE 

SURGICAL 

ACCESS 

PRIMARY 

HEALTH 

CARE 

RURAL CARE 

MENTAL 

HEALTH AND 

SUBSTANCE 

USE 

PRIMARY 

HEALTH CARE 

SENIORS CARE 


MENTAL HEALTH 



RURAL CARE 

Right 

care 

keeps 

seniors 

home 

below: Standing outside the door to 

the ER at Royal Inland Hospital, Allied 

Health Social Worker Wendy Sims 

works to provide a quick response to 

frail elderly who find themselves in the 

ER but could go home with supports. 

Staff in Kamloops took an active role in a project to help ease the 

pressure on hospitals this winter by focusing on frail seniors who 

could get well at home with proper supports. 

Karen Cooper, director of Allied Health, IH West, oversees the 

six disciplines that provide services – primarily to older adults – 

designed to either prevent an admission to hospital or hasten their 

recovery so they can go home more quickly. 

Physical and occupational therapists from Community Allied 

Health and a registered dietitian, respiratory therapist, and speech 

language pathologist from Royal Inland Hospital were on the Winter 

Surge team for 2016. 

As well, Social Worker Wendy Sims, also based at Royal Inland, was 

the first point of contact by emergency department or Home Health 

staff to recommend services for a senior who doesn’t need to be in an 

acute care setting. 

“Wrapping the right service around the patient results in higher 

success rates,” Karen explains. 

As an example, she highlights the speech-language pathologist who 

might discover a patient with recurring pneumonia has a swallowing 

issue that is causing aspiration of food particles into the lungs. 

“We are excited to be able to show the value of bringing in the 

Allied Health disciplines through a project like this.” 

“Winter Surge provides an opportunity to demonstrate what Allied 

Health professionals can do at any time of the year to help patients 

reduce their stay in hospital or avert an admission altogether.”

ADVERTORIAL 

SITTING IS NOT THE NEW SMOKING. 

BUT WE SHOULD STILL DO LESS OF IT. 

The most over-used dramatization currently used in workplace 

wellness is “sitting is the new smoking”. I disagree. I am sitting 

right now to write this article and I hardly believe it is having 

the harmful affects that smoking a cigarette would have on 

my body. I do not require sitting-cessation therapy. Sitting is 

necessary. We just need to do less of it. 

Have you ever summed up all of your hours of sitting and 

laying down in the day (24 hours)? Does the time spent in 

inactivity outweigh your physical activity? Large volumes of 

physical inactivity in the day may put you at risk for a chronic 

disease. In 2013 The University of Texas School of Pubic Health 

recorded the training time and inactivity time for 218 distance 

runners (marathon and half marathon distance). The median 

training time was 6.5 hours/week. Median total sitting time was 

8 – 10.75 hours per day. This study suggests that recreational 

distance runners can be highly sedentary and highly active at 

the same time! Just because you go to the gym, go running or 

walk daily, you are not safe from the risks of excessive sitting. 

Movement is medicine. A medication that we should take 

as often as possible. There are many reasons that we may sit for 

extended periods. To change the sitting situation sometimes 

takes creativity. For example, if you work a job that requires you 

to sit day in and day out all day without the opportunity for 

breaks, you may not be able to request walk breaks from your 

employer but you may however be able to slightly modify your 

workstation to allow you to sit and stand in rapid succession 

(also known as a squat) you can do this movement at intervals 

throughout the day to break up the time spent sitting. Research 

has shown us that movement at work can result in increased 

productivity and job satisfaction and decreased absenteeism 

due to the health improvements movement can have on the 

body. 

As is always the case, speak to your Physician or Nurse 

Practitioner if you are not currently active and will be increasing 

your physical activity dramatically. 

Sitting is a necessary part of living. We need to sit for at least 

a small amount of time every day. We do not and have not 

ever needed smoking. Therefore, sitting is not now nor has it 

ever been smoking. Movement is however medicine. Take your 

medicine and ENJOY! 

Jennifer Edgecombe 

Exercise Specialist Coordinator with the City of Kamloops, Parks and Recreation 

BSc. HK, American College of Sports Medicine Certified Clinical Exercise Physiologist 

jedgecombe@kamloops.ca 

250.828.3742 

SENSATIONAL 

SURVIVORS 

250-828-3742 

Mission 

A goal-oriented exercise program dedicated to working with 

women in all stages of cancer to improve physical 

strength, rehabilitation and support. 

By Physician/Nurse Practitioner Referral Referral 

forms at www.keeponmoving.ca/physicians 

or call 250-828-3742

CARE 

ACCESS 

CARE 

PRIMARY 

HEALTH CARE 

SENIORS CARE 

PRIMARY 

HEALTH CARE 

SENIORS CARE 

RURAL AND 

ABORIGINAL 

HEALTH 

MENTAL 

HEALTH AND 

SUBSTANCE 

USE 

RURAL AND 

ABORIGINAL HEALTH 


MENTAL HEALTH 



Paving the way: 

Telehealth clinics for 

post-transplant follow-up 

Transplant patients living in rural communities 

can be faced with a number of challenges when 

travelling long distances to attend an appointment. 

But for Cranbrook resident 

Paula Smith, a new telehealth 

service for post-kidney 

transplant patients has 

eliminated all of these. 

Paula’s kidney function 

first started to decline more 

than 10 years ago. Then, in 

2010, while Paula’s kidney was 

functioning at only 15 per 

cent, the worst happened – her 

husband passed away. 

“Just five weeks after 

my husband died, I had a 

peritoneal dialysis catheter implanted in my 

abdomen and was getting prepped for dialysis,” 

recalls Paula. 

For three and a half years, Paula was on 

dialysis waiting for a kidney transplant and in 

January 2014 her brother, a 

perfect match, volunteered 

one of his. 

“Everything just fell into 

place and then moved really 

quickly. I had my transplant 

in February 2014,” says 

Paula. “There were no 

complications for either of 

us – I have never felt this 

happy, healthy, and alive in 

my entire life.” 

For surgery, Interior 

Health transplant patients 

travel to Vancouver, but routine follow-up 

appointments occur in clinics across Interior 

Health. Still, the closest post-transplant clinic to 

Paula is more than 200 kilometres away in Trail, 

meaning a drive of three hours each way. 


above: Paula with her brother, who 

donated a kidney to her in 2014. The 

transplant was a great success. 


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We are pleased to introduce this unique alcohol and 

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Supporng Your Decisions to Make Healthier Choices in 2016 

Kamloops Healthy Weights 

for Children 

Shapedown BC 

Shapedown BC: A FREE program for 

children and teens (aged 6-17) and their families 

SHAPEDOWN BC is a family based group program that 

helps children and teens, and their families, achieve a 

healthier lifestyle. 

HOW DOES IT WORK? Through aged based group 

programs and individualized support, the Kamloops 

Shapedown team of a Registered Dietitian, Fitness 

Instructor, Registered Social Worker and Pediatrician, 

helps families to make positive changes in eating habits, 

activity level, parenting skills and self-esteem. 

HOW DO I JOIN? Ask your family Doctor, Pediatrician, or 

Nurse Practitioner to send us a referral. Or contact us for 

more information. 

Kamloops Healthy Weights for Children 

Shapedown BC 

Public Health 

519 Columbia Street, Kamloops, BC V2C 2T8 

PH: 250.851.7300 | FAX: 250.851.7301 

www.interiorhealth.ca/Shapedown 

Stay 

independent 

in your own home! 

In home care offers practIcal assIstance In 

everyday lIfe and offers a means of lIvIng 

Independently In your own home as long as possIble. 

SPH provides fully screened and qualified in-home caregivers for seniors and persons 

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They have a dynamic team with experience and sensitivity to match the needs of clients 

with the experience and skills of workers. Federal and Provincial credentials guarantee 

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Visit our website or call our office for more details on how we can provide help with a 

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SPH in Home care ServiceS are for SeniorS, PerSonS witH 

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Tel: 250.314.6555 

TF: 1.855.callsph 

(1.855.522.5577) 

390-546 St. Paul Street 

Kamloops, B.C. 

V2C 5T1


Kim McDuff, transplant redesign project coordinator, along 

with her colleagues at the Kootenay Boundary Regional Hospital 

Kidney Transplant Clinic in Trail, recognized the need to find 

other options for patients who have to drive long distances for 

follow-up appointments. They decided to develop a pilot project 

where post-transplant patients were given the option to attend 

their clinic appointment in Cranbrook and connect to Trail via 

telehealth. 

“Telehealth offers a way to provide adequate and continuous 

care for our post-transplant patients not living in Trail,” says Kim. 

In collaboration with BC Transplant, telehealth appointments 

were offered for the first time for post-transplant patients. The 

pilot ran from November 2014 to May 2015 with 12 patients using 

the service. 

Georgi Winger is the renal nurse at Cranbrook Wellness Centre 

who facilitates the appointment between the patient and the Trail 

Kidney Transplant Clinic. 

“Although we’ve only been doing telehealth with post-transplant 

patients for a short time, the feedback has been nothing but 

positive,” says Georgi. “They are so grateful to be able to meet with 

the transplant team and receive the care they need without having 

to take the time to travel to Trail. Prior to telehealth, Paula would 

have to take a day off work for her appointments in Trail, plus 

spend money on gas and meals. I believe telehealth has reduced 

the emotional and financial stress of many of our patients which, 

I’m sure, has a positive impact on their health and well-being.” 

During the follow-up appointment, Georgi records Paula’s 

blood pressure, weight, and pulse; checks for edema (excess of 

fluid); and relays the information via telehealth videoconferencing 

to the team in Trail. On the receiving end is Teresa Buckley, 

transplant clinic nurse, and a transplant nephrologist, social 

worker, and dietitian. 

“It’s expensive for people to take an unpaid day off work and 

stressful to drive the mountain pass to Trail,” says Teresa. “With 

telehealth, this health-care service is more accessible and increases 

the continuity of care.” 

Through telehealth, Paula is able to connect with each of the 

care providers involved in her post-recovery care plan without 

having to drive to Trail each time. 

“To me, there is no difference in the service provided,” says 

Paula. “I’m just glad I don’t have to make the drive… It’s such a 

benefit for patients who would otherwise have to travel.” 

Telehealth for transplant patients is expected to expand to other 

areas of Interior Health. 

“Right now we are looking at other rural sites in Interior Health 

with renal nurses who can facilitate these appointments,” says 

Teresa. “We have also just begun to facilitate appointments for 

pre-transplant patients, before they go to Vancouver for surgery.” 

The first pre-transplant appointment took place in early January 

and more are expected throughout 2016. 

Did you know… 

One organ donor can save eight 

lives. Visit www.transplant.bc.ca 

to learn more. 

above: Paula Smith (R), standing 

with renal nurse Georgi Winger and 

the telehealth unit in Cranbrook, no 

longer has to drive to Trail for her 

appointments. 

below: Transplant clinic nurse Teresa 

Buckley is part of the transplant team 

at the other end of the telehealth 

video ready to review Paula’s postrecovery 

progress. 


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Healthy eats for 

family camping trips 

With spring weather upon us, the itch to get outdoors 

enjoying nature becomes difficult to ignore. Here are 

some meal tips from one family who loves to camp. 

By Interior Health Registered Dietitian Simone Jennings 

Since we have a toddler, I make sure we are 

organized with food. Kids need good nutrition 

to keep their behaviour in check (i.e. allow us 

parents to have a good time). Plus little ones require 

a lot of attention, which means less time to spend 

cooking and washing dishes. 

For this reason I plan for simple meals and make and 

freeze food before we go. I start by planning each 

breakfast, lunch and dinner. I also plan to use certain 

foods in multiple meals and snacks, such as cheese, 

yogurt, and bread, to save space in the cooler. 

Of course we also pack less healthy snacks for around 

the fire, whether it’s making S’mores or passing around 

a bag of chips. Having a family favourite camping treat 

is a fun part of creating traditions. But, like at home, it 

is important that most of our food be nutritious. 


Here are some foods that are 

often found in our cooler: 

Things to prepare before you go 

• Make and freeze whole grain muffins, pancakes, 

or loaves 

• Pre-measure bags of rolled oats with nuts, seeds and 

dried fruit to cook on the camp stove 

• Hard boil eggs for protein at breakfast or lunch 

• Cook rice, quinoa or pasta the night before you 

leave and have it in the first couple of days 

• Make and freeze chili and/or pasta sauce. It will act 

as ice in the cooler and keep for a couple of days 

• Freeze lean meats or fish with marinade in Ziploc 

bags so they are ready for the BBQ 

• Make and freeze hamburger patties. Use ground 

chicken, turkey or lean grass-fed beef 

Breakfast 

• Eggs and toast 

• Greek yogurt with fruit and granola 

• Cold cereal (choose something low in sugar) with 

milk or yogurt 

• Peanut butter and jam sandwich with sliced apples 

and oranges 

• Oatmeal (as described above) or packages of plain 

instant oats (just add hot water) 

Lunch 

• Whole grain pitas with hummus and cut up veggies 

• Sandwiches: egg or tuna salad, or veggies and cheese 

on whole grain bread 

• Use leftover chili with grated cheese in wraps to 

make burritos 

• Hot dog alternative: chicken or turkey sausage on a 

whole grain bun (choose sausages that are lower in 

sodium and free of preservatives) 

Dinner 

• Chili and buns 

• Pasta sauce with whole grain noodles 

• Lean meat of your choice with a variety 

of vegetables 

• Grilled veggies: toss a variety of chopped veggies in 

olive oil with fresh herbs and wrap in tin foil and 

grill. Try carrots, potatoes, yams, beets 

and/or onions 

• Lean hamburger patties on a whole grain bun 

Snacks 

• Trail mix: nuts, seeds, dried fruit, chocolate chips 

• Whole grain crackers and cheese 

• Apple slices and peanut butter 

• Muffin, yogurt and fruit 

• Campfire cones: sugar cones, chocolate chips, mini 

marshmallows, chopped strawberries and banana. 

Wrap in tin foil and grill over the fire 

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www.bchealthykids.ca 


Work with a RE/MAX 

Work 

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Miracle 

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Agent and 

give kids Agent like Zhania and 

give 

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kids 

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Zhania 

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BE A 

BE MIRACLE 

MIRACLE MAKER. 

MAKER. 

Through the Miracle Home Program, our RE/MAX agents donate 

Through 

Through 

the Miracle Home Program, our RE/MAX agents donate 

a portion the of their Miracle income Home to Program, BC Children's our RE/MAX Hospital. agents Since donate 1992, 

a 

portion 

portion 

of 

of 

their 

their 

income 

income 

to 

to 

BC 

BC 

Children's 

Children's 

Hospital. 

Hospital. 

Since 

Since 

1992, 

RE/MAX has raised over $56 million in Canada. 

1992, 

RE/MAX 

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has 

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www.TheRightAgents.com 



©2016 RE/MAX, LLC. All rights reserved. Each RE/MAX office is independently owned and operated. 15_60814 

©2016 RE/MAX, LLC. All rights reserved. Each RE/MAX office is independently owned and operated. 15_60814

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