Tiffany Akins

Job Title
Communications leader

Department/Location
Communications & Public Affairs

How long have you worked at VCH?
8 years

Tell us what you do at VCH in one or two sentences:
I do corporate communications for Public Health and some media relations across VCH – from the flu to My Health My Community to the documentary series at the VGH ED!

What’s your favourite thing about your work?
The people! We all spend 37+ hours a week with each other, so the better we get along, the better the team will work, and the better life will be all around for us. I’ve made some great friends via work, that I see outside of work hours.

How does your work contribute to the VCH True North goals?
Most everything we do in Communications helps to promote better health for our communities. From telling people about flu clinics via Twitter, to educating people about measles vaccinations in the newspaper, to posting a story about the dangers of non-prescribed fentanyl on www.vch.ca – it’s all about getting the word out about the services and care you all provide.

One thing we might be surprised to learn about you:
I used to be a tv reporter and camera person in Edmonton. Lots of fun, lots of stress. So useful to have that experience and insider knowledge when dealing with media now.

Three things you always have in your fridge:
Eggs
Homemade lunches for the week
My dog’s insulin

Who or what inspires you?
I like seeing people (or animals) helping others.

Most healthy habit:
Colouring! It’s like an alternative form of meditation. I get very focused, and quiet… which is rare. Ha ha.

Favourite vacation spot:
The question should be more like, where isn’t your favourite vacation spot! Belize for the snorkeling; Tibet for the culture; Granada, Spain for the magical Alhambra.