PHYSICIAN & COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

MEET THE ‘HOME TEAM’

The future of health care in our community is people.

For over eight years, Dr. Kathryn Brown has played an important role on a team of celebrated cardiologists at Kelowna General Hospital (KGH). Lately, though, Dr. Brown has found herself a place on another team; a volunteer cabinet of 39 health care professionals from multiple KGH medical specialties, huddling up to create the playbook for the biggest philanthropic effort in KGH Foundation history. Together with an additional 17 community leaders, the cabinet, aka the ‘Home Team’, is actively helping to inform priorities towards a new era in health care, at KGH and across the community. Each has demonstrated leadership and vision in their area of specialty, and a willingness to forge strategic collaborative partnerships to advance health care in innovative and exceptional ways.

“It has been exciting to be part of reframing the conversation around health care in our community. We are co-creating a path forward that provides real hope for patients and clinicians,” says Dr. Brown. “Whether it’s cardiac care, brain health, surgical excellence, cancer… this is the first time we’ve really worked together for an outcome that will ultimately benefit us all.”

“The KGH Foundation’s Closer to home than you think campaign represents a much-needed shift in how we view and plan for the future of health care,” says Dr. Brown. “A sustainable system will not only require physical equipment but also the clinicians and leaders to guide how best to explore new horizons of care.”

A wide variety of perspectives are needed to identify gaps, articulate issues, and identify opportunities to help re-imagine a system of care that is inclusive, sustainable and accountable.

“We are so fortunate to have leaders not only from our local health care community but with a variety of experience and backgrounds,” explains Allison (Allie) Young, KGH Foundation CEO. “They infuse our campaign with diverse perspectives. They are not only champions in our community; they also serve as vital connectors, spreading the word and forging meaningful connections throughout the region.”

A new era in health care means that transformation isn’t something that will be achieved in silo or isolation. It is informed by patients, their loved ones and caregivers. It considers the important perspectives of the program providers, clinicians, administrators, doctors and nurses who are doing the work every day. It will only be accomplished by aligning priorities and working together.

The future of health care in our community is people. It’s closer to home than you think.

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To learn more about our Volunteer Campaign Cabinet, please visit kghfoundation.com/campaign-cabinet

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Dr. Devin Harris, Executive Medical Director, Quality and Patient Safety, Interior Health and Dr. Deanne Taylor, Corporate Director of Research, Interior Health are the campaign’s co-chairs.

Dr. Devin Harris, Cabinet Co-Chair
Executive Medical Director, Quality and Patient
Safety for Interior Health
Emergency Physician, KGH
Clinical Associate Professor in the Department
of Emergency Medicine, UBC

Dr. Deanne Taylor, Cabinet Co-Chair
Corporate Director of Research for Interior Health
Scientific Director of the Rural Coordination Centre of BC
Adjunct Professor in the Faculty of Health and Social Development, UBC Okanagan