Meet Our Board of Directors - Team Leaders
Heather Stuckey, President
Heather was instrumental in establishing a Family Council in the private-contracted facility where her mom was Resident from 2010 to 2021. In June 2021 Heather joined a group of volunteers to lead the effort of establishing the Interior Association of Family Councils. As a long-time Chair of Family Council, a dedicated advocate for Residents in long-term care, and the operator of a successful small business in the community of Summerland, Heather brings strong leadership skills to the Association. Heather joined the Interior Health's Long Term Care Quality Standards Committee in September 2021.
Jackie Harris, Vice-President
Jackie’s mom lived in Assisted Living for 5 years before moving into Long Term Care. Her mom passed away in May 2019 after residing in LTC for only 5 months. During these last few months of her mom's life Jackie became actively involved in Family Council and continues, to this day, to serve as Secretary. Jackie has a strong clinical background in healthcare and rehabilitation, in particular. She is a strong advocate of patient centered care and open communication in health care. Through her knowledge and experience she has been able to provide meaningful insight into the public engagement process to develop new HSO National Standards for LTC, and IAFC Board.
Christine Kohlen, 2nd Vice-President
Christine is a healthcare representative for a former co-worker/friend. She became involved in Family Council in 2018 when her friend transitioned from Assisted Living to Long-Term Care. Christine has a background working in Home and Community Care. As an advocate and a Family Council member, Christine took a strong interest in ensuring Residents in LTC to receive the same level of palliative care as is provided to other citizens in BC. Since joining IAFC, Christine has volunteered to act as alternate to the IAFC Chair on the Interior Health Long Term Care Quality Standards Committee, and, on behalf the IAFC Board, to follow and report on the Action for Reform of Resident Care Association's (ARRCBC) progress towards the recommendations contained in the report IMPROVING QUALITY OF LIFE IN LONG TERM CARE - A WAY FORWARD which IAFC has endorsed (a copy of the report is included in Useful Information).
Karen Waldie, Secretary-Treasurer
Karen is the primary caregiver to her mother who has been in a private-contracted LTC home in the Shuswap since 2014. In 2018, when a group of family members began meeting to discuss various issues they had with the facility where her mom resides, Karen began investigating the proper process for voicing concerns, which ultimately led to the group forming a Family Council. Karen continues to Chair this Family Council. Karen has found the Family Council is an effective means towards resolving some of the issues families encounter in LTC, and has enjoyed seeing communication with facility management greatly improve. In June 2021, Karen joined a group of volunteers, to assist in the effort of establishing the Interior Association of Family Councils (IAFC). Formerly a partner in a small professional service business, where in addition to performing professional services, she acted as the company's office and administrative manager, she is well suited for the position of Secretary-Treasurer of the IAFC organization.
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Christy Baker, Director (East Kootenays)
As an adult with an aging parent, and someone who has directed a long-term care and assisted living facility in B.C., it is increasingly evident to Christy how important the families’ roles are in the care and welfare of our aging communities. With COVID, brought the heightened awareness of gaps in service and some opportunities to highlight the areas of need for our vulnerable seniors. This means assisting care facilities and other services in recognizing the importance family plays in mental health and overall wellness of those in care. Christy has spent over 30 years of her Managerial career within the vulnerable sector, and in the service of others. She assisted through a collaborative approach in encouraging and supporting a robust family council in the facility where she served. As someone who was raised in the Kootenays, and as someone who has made their way home, Christy feels her years of service and distinct knowledge of long-term care and assisted living will benefit those who need supports here.