By Karla Wilson & Danae Gale
This year marks 50 years of BCEHS — five decades of growth, service, and a continued commitment to creating a healthcare system that reflects the diversity and strength of people living in British Columbia.
As we celebrate this milestone, we also take time to honour the legacy and ongoing journey of Pride at BCEHS — a journey defined by advocacy, inclusion, and the belief that everyone deserves to feel safe, seen, and celebrated.
In recent years, BCEHS teams have shown up with energy and solidarity at Pride events across the province, making their presence felt in communities from the Lower Mainland to northern B.C.
BCEHS staff celebrating pride over the years
But for years prior, BCEHS’ involvement in Pride activities stemmed largely from employee grassroots efforts. When Clinical Operations Manager Nicholas (Nick) Mann joined the organization in 2002, he says BCEHS was already involved in Pride — but that these efforts weren’t largely supported corporately.
“We weren’t treated specifically badly, but there just weren’t things done in the past,” he says. “It was a struggle, and we had to have constant advocacy from the people and community who worked for BCEHS.”
In 2017, after 11 years of participating in Pride events on behalf of BCEHS, Mann advocated for an ambulance to be wrapped in Pride colours. That year, he attended six different events across B.C. with the wrapped ambulance – showcasing the organization’s commitment to diversity and inclusion.
Mann also designed and distributed a Pride ‘Star of Life’ pin that same year. To date, about 10,000 pins have been distributed to employees.
Clinical Operations Manager Nicholas (Nick) Mann with the first Pride wrapped ambulance
In 2022, Mann, along with Dakota Stone and Monica Morgan formed the 2SLGBTQIA+ Pride Committee, with the goal of uniting like-minded leaders to support Pride events both locally and across the province. What began as a small, passionate initiative quickly grew into a space where staff could feel empowered to show up as their authentic selves - both at work and in the communities they serve. Meeting bi-weekly throughout the year, the committee focused on event planning, increasing representation, and ensuring that 2SLGBTQIA+ voices were finally heard at tables where they had long been absent. This group served as a beacon of support not only for staff but also for community members who rely on them daily for safety and care, reinforcing the organization’s commitment to being a safe and inclusive space.
Carly Jokic, Executive Director of Employee Experience, joined the organization in May 2023. In 2024, BCEHS brought on the in-house Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) team. One of the team’s responsibilities is to take on Pride events planning and coordination, in addition to internal messaging, programs, training and support for all things DEI. The Employee Experience function also includes Culture & Leadership and Employee Health & Wellbeing.
“The purpose of our team is to build psychologically safe, inclusive and impactful programs that support and celebrate our people,” Jokic says.
“It’s about all of us and making BCEHS a better and safer place to work. We are making strides, but meaningful culture transformation takes time and commitment from the top down. Programs like Pride are just some of the ways we are creating spaces and communities towards creating a culture where all of us feel like we belong.”
Mann believes that bringing the DEI team into BCEHS has been a positive thing – but also stresses that within the organization, he still sees room for significant improvements.
“There is a lot of will to make sure we’re doing the right thing,” he says. “The fact that we have a team dedicated to moving all things DEI forward and bringing it to the forefront is amazing.
I look around at other larger services and they have a dedicated vehicle that’s a DEI car,” he continues. “It’s permanently wrapped with indigenous, Pride, and hiring logos. BCEHS could definitely use a vehicle for recruitment and parades. That’s what, ideally, we are pushing for — acknowledgement and awareness from the organization. There’s room for growth – but we’re on the right trajectory.”
Pride 'Star of Life' pin design
In 2024, BCEHS marked a milestone year in its Pride journey, with the new DEI team on board. BCEHS Proactive Recruitment team attended 19 Pride events in small and large communities across the province, and more than 125 ambulance stations province-wide received Pride pins for paramedics and other employees to wear. BCEHS social media posts featuring Pride events received significant views and support from followers.
“Marching with BCEHS for the first time was incredibly meaningful. I felt seen, safe, and proud,” said one participant from the August 25, 2024 Kamloops Pride parade.
In 2025, BCEHS will be represented at between 12-15 Pride celebrations across the province.
These efforts are being led by the Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Team and Proactive Recruitment Team. BCEHS employees are also working with the Provincial Health Services Authority and Trans Care BC to deliver a meaningfully Pride experience, and there is a strong focus on strengthening ties with local Pride organizers province-wide.
DEI Director Pep Muthui is incredibly proud of her team’s work and acknowledges the years of effort and passion that came before she joined the organization. She also reinforces that Pride isn’t just a season – it’s part of how the organization cares for all its patients.
“This year the Pride Planning team is made up of BCEHS employees from across the province committed to care, inclusion, and community,” she says.
“When our teams show up at Pride events across the province, we’re not only representing our organization, but we’re also advocating for visibility, safety, and belonging. Every flag waved, every pin worn, every step taken sends a clear message: everyone deserves to feel seen, valued, and included. That’s what drives our commitment to 2SLGBTQIA+ communities not just during Pride, but every day."
Nick Mann says BCEHS is always well received at Pride events around the province.
“People love us - they are so happy to see us,” he says. “It’s always so heart-warming.
No one has left a Pride parade feeling like it’s a waste of time. Everybody that comes home – everyone is smiling, excited, happy, and everyone’s cup is full. That’s why it’s so important we go to [the parades], show up in uniform with the ambulance, let the community interact with us, and let them thank us. We have a tough job, and someone saying thanks is a really nice thing for people.”
When Chief Ambulance Officer Leanne Heppell joined BCEHS in 2021, one of the staffing elements she brought to the organization included teams that would build and support a positive workplace culture. This work, although relatively new in BCEHS’ history, is already making an impact on various initiatives – including Pride.
“Pride is not just a celebration — it's a reminder of our responsibility to stand up for each other and to continue shaping BCEHS into a space where everyone belongs,” Heppell said.
For those who have been involved in representing and supporting BCEHS Pride over the years, the change is welcome.
“Over the years, I've had the privilege of both organizing and participating in Pride events with BCEHS, an experience that has been both rewarding and meaningful,” Mann says. “In the past, much of our energy went into the logistics of organizing, but with the DEI team now taking the lead, it's a welcome change. My colleagues and I can now focus on enjoying the events and celebrating our community, rather than worrying about every detail. It's a testament to the growth and strength of our organization's commitment to diversity, inclusion, and support for the 2SLGBTQIA+ community.”
