Interior Health administrator Carl Meadows
Carl Meadows is a registered nurse and health services administrator for three local hospitals, a job he took up in 2016 after arriving from the Vancouver area. He lives in Penticton with his husband, Les, and their Boston terrier, Ted. Meadows is also the principal founder and president of Foundation of Hope, a non-profit charity that supports LGBTQ+ refugees and their families. He conducted the following interview with Herald reporter Dale Boyd via email.
HERALD: What is your position with Interior Health and what does your role entail?
MEADOWS: I am the health services administrator of Penticton Regional Hospital, South Okanagan General Hospital and Summerland Hospital. The role oversees the operations (nuts and bolts) of running the hospital from staffing, quality, surgical services, access and flow, etc. Of course I have a great team that makes things tick every day.
HERALD: What motivated you to get into the field of health care?
MEADOWS: When I was a young man I took care of my grandmother until she died. My sister was in the Douglas College nursing program and encouraged me to become a registered nurse. I have never looked back.
HERALD: You were an integral part of putting on the Snake Bite Film Festival as part of Artsrising last year. What was your favourite experience from the festival?
MEADOWS: The whole festival was about surfacing diversity. One evening there was a short film about the Syilx language and the teacher who was in the film was present. It was so powerful to see the elders and her family there watching the show with such pride.
HERALD: Snake Bite featured many films from the LGBTQ+ community. Why was it important for you to share these stories on the big screen?
MEADOWS: As a child I remember how much I suffered never seeing positive imagery about gay people. Movies allow us to see ourselves in film and are important sources of self-esteem and self-worth when they aren’t based on stereotypes. We all have our human stories.
HERALD: What is a hidden talent or hobby people might not know you have? MEADOWS: I am a passionate poet. HERALD: If you could instantly be a master of a musical instrument (that you don't already know how to play), which one would it be and why?
MEADOWS: I would pick the harp. The harp is a magical and powerful instrument that transforms the human spirit and represents peace and solitude.
HERALD: What is currently on your playlist when it comes to music?
MEADOWS: I love CBC Radio 2 classic station. My favourite is listening to piano, jazz and Antonio Lucio Vivaldi.
HERALD: If you could do any other job in the world, what would it be and why?
MEADOWS: I would fly float planes to remote locations, fishing camps and out-ofthe-way locations. I love being in the wilderness with nature and I love fishing.
HERALD: If you could insert yourself into any TV show, which one would it be and why?
MEADOWS: I really love “Will and Grace.” As a gay man, some of my best friends are women and when gay men and heterosexual women get together, you better buckle up for fun. Just do not have the same taste in men or that can be trouble.