STAFF WELLNESS AND RESILIENCE
BREWING COMPASSION
Care Packages for our Health Care Heroes
Not all heroes wear capes. At Kelowna General Hospital (KGH), they wear scrubs and masks, and their hard workdays aren’t just stressful— they can be traumatic. These health care heroes carry unimaginable emotional weight, facing life-and-death decisions daily. But even superheroes need care, and sometimes, all it takes is a small gesture to restore their strength and remind them how much they are appreciated.
Unfortunately, the constraints of public health care funding leave little room for simple comforts such as a cup of coffee or a sweet treat on a brutal day. That’s where Brewing Compassion steps in. Launched last year, this initiative is dedicated to supporting the emotional well-being of front-line health care workers at KGH, providing them with tokens of gratitude and moments of relief when they need it most.
When a team faces a particularly jarring emergency or loss, leaders can request a Brewing Compassion care kit for their department. These kits include coffee, tea, pastries, mindfulness supplies like coloring books, and wellness resources from KGH Spiritual Care, providing a chance for the team to pause, regroup, and find solidarity in their shared experiences.
“At its core, Brewing Compassion is about acknowledging the emotional toll these events take on our staff,” shares Lindsay Taberner, Executive Director of Clinical Operations at KGH. “By offering simple but meaningful gestures, we remind them that their well-being matters just as much as the patients they care for.”
“Brewing Compassion is about acknowledging the emotional toll these events take on our staff.”
Lindsay Taberner, Executive Director of Clinical Operations, KGH
Supported entirely by donations to the KGH Foundation, Brewing Compassion would not exist without the generosity of the community. One dedicated supporter is Rob Ewanuk and his team at New Leaf Physiotherapy who work in both private and public health care and are familiar with the challenges seen on the front lines. Last year, New Leaf funded six Brewing Compassion events, reaching over 120 health care workers.
“This program is our way of giving back to the people who care for our community every day,” Rob explains. “When a friend is struggling, we bring them coffee or a treat. This is our chance to extend that same caring tradition with our fellow health care workers on their hardest days.”
For KGH’s health care heroes, these simple acts of kindness become moments of connection and strength. Over a cup of tea or a snack, teams can process emotions, reconnect with colleagues, and find the resilience to continue their vital work.
Brewing Compassion helps ensure these extraordinary individuals feel supported. Because sometimes, even heroes need someone to care for them.
