Dental staff paint rocks to boost morale at RIH

Photo: Sydney Chisholm

Painted rocks being debuted at Phil and Jennie Gaglardi Tower Open House

In an attempt to make people smile, local dental staff hand painted more than 100 rocks to raise spirits among Royal Inland Hospital staff.

According to the RIH Foundation, staff members from Sahali Dental Centre and Prism Dental Laboratory painted the rocks for the hospital health care workers.

But this wasn’t the first time the group picked up their paint brushes and collected rocks, IH said in September, they painted 215 little shoes on rocks to show their respects for the presumed remains discovered at the former Kamloops Indian Residential School.

The RIH Foundation said Kim LaBerre from Sahali Dental Centre was the coordinator behind the project. LaBerre was inspired to do healthcare appreciation rocks after giving painted rocks to the nurses she knew personally.

After some encouragement and inspiration from patients, the foundation said LaBerre decided to gather the group of dental staff once again. This time, the rocks were collected by LaBerre and her family at riverbanks in Revelstoke and on the Peterson Creek Trail.

According to the foundation, the dental workers had been visiting RIH for many years and painting the rocks was their way of showing appreciation for the staff.

“As professionals in the healthcare industry, we understand the nuances and challenges that medical staff have faced over the last few years,” LaBerre said in a statement.

“The staff at RIH have gone above and beyond their call of duty to ensure the health and safety of our community, putting others needs before their own. We appreciate their effort and would like to thank them so much.”

The rocks were debuted to healthcare workers at the Phil and Jennie Gaglardi Tower Open House on June 25.

After their debut, the rocks were distributed to staff at RIH to boost morale throughout their shift.