#WeAreNorthern

Originally from Amritsar, Punjab, in northern India, Harpeet Kaur has found a home at Northern Health as a Booking Coordinator with our Transcultural & Language Services (TALS) team. Known for her passion for connecting people and cultures, Harpeet recently helped lead our Deepavali celebrations, sharing the spirit and traditions of this special festival with the Northern Health community.

Q: What’s your coffee order?

A: I don’t actually drink coffee, I am a tea person, my morning always starts with hot Indian masala tea!

Q: Tell us a little about yourself and your journey at Northern Health.

A: I started my career at Northern Health back in 2023 as an ICT apprentice. Once I finished my studies, I stepped into my current role with TALS as a Booking Coordinator. It’s been a fantastic opportunity to grow my skills and experience with the health service.

Q: What inspired you to pursue a career as a Booking Coordinator at TALS?

A: TALS is a beautifully multicultural department of Northern Health where we get to connect with people from so many different countries. I have always been fascinated by learning about other cultures, foods, and traditional outfits. I wanted to bring that passion into my career, and joining TALS was the perfect fit.

It allows me to combine my administrative skills with a role where I can celebrate diversity and help make healthcare accessible for everyone, no matter their background.

Q: What does a typical day look like for you?

A: A typical day for me as a Booking Coordinator is fast-paced and very rewarding. My main focus is coordinating and managing interpreter bookings for our patients, ensuring that language barriers never get in the way of excellent care. I spend my day answering calls, processing requests from various hospital departments, and matching the right interpreters with the right clinics. It takes a lot of organization, but it is incredibly fulfilling to know my work helps patients feel comfortable and understood during their hospital visits.

Q: What do you enjoy most about your role?

A: I love that my role allows me to celebrate diversity while actively breaking down language barriers to ensure safe, inclusive care for everyone.

Q: You played a key role in our Deepavali celebrations this week. What does Deepavali mean to you, and why is it such a special occasion?

A: For me, Deepavali -or Diwali- is a celebration of hope, togetherness, and the triumph of light over darkness. Coming from Amritsar, home to the Golden Temple, this festival holds an incredibly deep personal meaning for me.

In Punjab, we have a famous saying: ‘Daal roti ghar di, Diwali Amritsar di’, which means home-cooked food gives the ultimate comfort, but Amritsar’s Deepavali is the most spectacular celebration in the world. Growing up surrounded by that unmatched joy, beautiful lights, and the tradition of sharing delicious food with family shaped how I view this special occasion.

Helping bring this celebration to Northern Health this week was incredibly special. It allowed me to share my culture with my colleagues and create that same sense of warmth and belonging for our multicultural staff and patients. Seeing everyone come together to celebrate truly highlights the inclusive spirit of our community.

Q: What is one tradition or value from Deepavali that resonates with you throughout the year?

A: The value that resonates with me the most is the idea of spreading light and warmth to others. During Deepavali, we light diyas (lamps) to banish the darkness, but throughout the year, I try to carry that light forward through kindness and positivity.

Working in the TALS team, I meet people who might be facing difficult or stressful times at the hospital. Being able to offer them a welcoming smile, clear communication, and a sense of comfort is my way of keeping that Deepavali spirit of kindness alive every day.