“Supporting people and innovation leads to results. We have seen major advances in the scope and quality of neurological care at our site by attracting and supporting people who build & innovate. Support from the community allows us to go beyond what we need today, and drive care further.”

Dr. Daryl Wile

Dr. Daryl Wile, Neurologist (Clinical Lead)

“Supporting people and innovation leads to results. We have seen major advances in the scope and quality of neurological care at our site by attracting and supporting people who build & innovate. Support from the community allows us to go beyond what we need today, and drive care further.”

Dr. Daryl Wile

Dr. Daryl Wile, Neurologist (Clinical Lead)


“Supporting people and innovation leads to results. We have seen major advances in the scope and quality of neurological care at our site by attracting and supporting people who build & innovate. Support from the community allows us to go beyond what we need today, and drive care further.”

Dr. Daryl Wile, Neurologist (Clinical Lead) 

World-class brain health care, right here at KGH

The KGH Foundation has committed to raising $5 million to establish a Centre of Excellence for Brain Health at Kelowna General Hospital – a hub for training, research, innovation and leadership in the rapidly expanding fields of clinical neuroscience including stroke care, movement disorders, nerve & muscle disease, and dementia. The goal is to bring the highest quality of care and research closer to our widespread patient population and provide them access to the best possible treatments and life-saving care, close to home.

This Is Why It Matters.

The brain is the most complex organ in our bodies. It is the headquarters of intelligence, interpreter of the senses, initiator of body movement, and conductor of behaviour. Diseases, disorders, and injuries of the brain have a profound influence on a person’s quality of life, independence, self-worth and physical well-being.

The single most reliable risk factor for all neurodegenerative brain disease is age. We can’t change that (yet) so as the region’s population continues to grow and age, so too does the need for excellence in brain health care.

Equally as important, to support the advancement of excellence in brain health care, we will bring research closer to regional patients and provide them access to the best possible treatments and lifesaving care, close to home.

DONATE

This Is Why It Matters.

The brain is the most complex organ in our bodies. It is the headquarters of intelligence, interpreter of the senses, initiator of body movement, and conductor of behaviour. Diseases, disorders, and injuries of the brain have a profound influence on a person’s quality of life, independence, self-worth and physical well-being.

The single most reliable risk factor for all neurodegenerative brain disease is age. We can’t change that (yet) so as the region’s population continues to grow and age, so too does the need for excellence in brain health care.

Equally as important, to support the advancement of excellence in brain health care, we will bring research closer to regional patients and provide them access to the best possible treatments and lifesaving care, close to home.

DONATE

This Is Why It Matters.

The brain is the most complex organ in our bodies. It is the headquarters of intelligence, interpreter of the senses, initiator of body movement, and conductor of behaviour. Diseases, disorders, and injuries of the brain have a profound influence on a person’s quality of life, independence, self-worth and physical well-being.

The single most reliable risk factor for all neurodegenerative brain disease is age. We can’t change that (yet) so as the region’s population continues to grow and age, so too does the need for excellence in brain health care.

Equally as important, to support the advancement of excellence in brain health care, we will bring research closer to regional patients and provide them access to the best possible treatments and lifesaving care, close to home.

lots of people icon
59,323

people affected by neurological conditions in the Interior Health region (2020/21)

Mental Health Icon
50%

Projected increase in incidence rates for dementia and Parkinson disease by 2031

research icon
1 in 5

Canadians are not represented in research trials

Five people icon
1 in 6

People worldwide are affected by brain disease

Infrastructure, Equipment, & Technology – $2 Million

The Interior Health region, with Kelowna General Hospital as its primary hub for neurology patients, has a large referral base. Neurology outpatient wait times for general referrals are 6-18 months. Delays in access to advanced neurological care are increasing. Patients requiring advanced neuro-surgical procedures not currently available at Kelowna General Hospital are additionally burdened by the cost and inconvenience of treatment and recovery in Vancouver, hundreds of kilometres away from home.

The development of a sustainable system of neurological care while expanding access to advanced neurological expertise and services is a critical priority. Funding will provide for the acquisition of lifesaving, specialized medical and surgical equipment currently only available in Vancouver.

MRI/Brain Scan

Equipment and Service Goals

  • Establish a 24/7 regional stroke service
  • Establish a Deep Brain Stimulator program for Parkinson’s Disease
  • Create an advanced neuromuscular program
  • Improve epilepsy care
  • Decrease wait times for neurological consultation in the region
  • Establish a combined neurological and neurosurgical intensive care unit to serve critically ill neurological patients
  • Maximize the use and integration of information technology to improve patient care
  • Establish pathways of care for neurological outpatients
  • Measure quality of care by collecting patient-centered outcome measures

Infrastructure, Equipment, & Technology – $2 Million

The Interior Health region, with Kelowna General Hospital as its primary hub for neurology patients, has a large referral base. Neurology outpatient wait times for general referrals are 6-18 months. Delays in access to advanced neurological care are increasing. Patients requiring advanced neuro-surgical procedures not currently available at Kelowna General Hospital are additionally burdened by the cost and inconvenience of treatment and recovery in Vancouver, hundreds of kilometres away from home.

The development of a sustainable system of neurological care while expanding access to advanced neurological expertise and services is a critical priority. Funding will provide for the acquisition of lifesaving, specialized medical and surgical equipment currently only available in Vancouver.

Equipment and Service Goals

  • Establish a 24/7 regional stroke service
  • Establish a Deep Brain Stimulator program for Parkinson’s Disease
  • Create an advanced neuromuscular program
  • Improve epilepsy care
  • Decrease wait times for neurological consultation in the region
  • Establish a combined neurological and neurosurgical intensive care unit to serve critically ill neurological patients
  • Maximize the use and integration of information technology to improve patient care
  • Establish pathways of care for neurological outpatients
  • Measure quality of care by collecting patient-centered outcome measures

MRI/Brain Scan


“What this funding will mean for those who choose to live in the vast and diverse communities across the interior of B.C., and similarly expansive health jurisdictions across Canada and around the world is, literally, life-changing.”

Dr. Aleksander Tkach, KGH Neurologist  

“What this funding will mean for those who choose to live in the vast and diverse communities across the interior of B.C., and similarly expansive health jurisdictions across Canada and around the world is, literally, life-changing.”

Dr. Aleksander Tkach

Dr. Aleksander Tkach, KGH Neurologist

“What this funding will mean for those who choose to live in the vast and diverse communities across the interior of B.C., and similarly expansive health jurisdictions across Canada and around the world is, literally, life-changing.”

Dr. Aleksander Tkach

Dr. Aleksander Tkach, KGH Neurologist

Research & Innovation – $1 Million

This competition awarded funding will be directed by a Brain Health Advisory Committee and support projects dedicated to research focused on improving brain health care within the interior region.

The connection between quality of care and research has largely been misunderstood. As we learn more about prioritizing equality and equity in the delivery of health care, resourcing research and innovation becomes vital to advancing these goals.

Funding research in our home communities will ensure that non-urban populations are included in important research trials, so the results are representative of the people who live in regional, rural and remote communities.

Woman putting viles in a machine for testing

Research & Innovation – $1 Million

This competition awarded funding will be directed by a Brain Health Advisory Committee and support projects dedicated to research focused on improving brain health care within the interior region.

The connection between quality of care and research has largely been misunderstood. As we learn more about prioritizing equality and equity in the delivery of health care, resourcing research and innovation becomes vital to advancing these goals.

Funding research in our home communities will ensure that non-urban populations are included in important research trials, so the results are representative of the people who live in regional, rural and remote communities.

Woman putting viles in a machine for testing
Medical Staff Conversing at KGH

Training & Leadership – $2 Million

The provision of Awards will be a vital component of the Centre of Excellence in Brain Health at KGH. The annual income allocation from these endowment-funded and named awards will support the work of individuals wishing to advance brain health in our region. Investing in these awards could provide support for researchers generating outcomes that can be put into practice within the health system, early-career physicians building and sharing their expertise, and experiential learning opportunities to improve health system performance.

DONATE NOW

Training & Leadership – $2 Million

The provision of Awards will be a vital component of the Centre of Excellence in Brain Health at KGH. The annual income allocation from these endowment-funded and named awards will support the work of individuals wishing to advance brain health in our region. Investing in these awards could provide support for researchers generating outcomes that can be put into practice within the health system, early-career physicians building and sharing their expertise, and experiential learning opportunities to improve health system performance.

DONATE NOW

Medical Staff Conversing at KGH

Training & Leadership – $2 Million

The provision of Awards will be a vital component of the Centre of Excellence in Brain Health at KGH. The annual income allocation from these endowment-funded and named awards will support the work of individuals wishing to advance brain health in our region. Investing in these awards could provide support for researchers generating outcomes that can be put into practice within the health system, early-career physicians building and sharing their expertise, and experiential learning opportunities to improve health system performance.


DONATE NOW

Medical Staff Conversing at KGH
A New Era

This is why it matters.

This is A New Era, the most ambitious fundraising campaign in KGH Foundation history. The goal is to provide for the region’s most urgent needs and to catalyze comprehensive health system innovation in the southern interior of B.C. A bold commitment to collaboration to build the equitable, inclusive, accessible and sustainable system of health care close to home that we all deserve.

It’s time to act now. It’s time to act together. Please give.

DONATE

A New Era

This is why it matters.

This is A New Era, the most ambitious fundraising campaign in KGH Foundation history. The goal is to provide for the region’s most urgent needs and to catalyze comprehensive health system innovation in the southern interior of B.C. A bold commitment to collaboration to build the equitable, inclusive, accessible and sustainable system of health care close to home that we all deserve.

It’s time to act now. It’s time to act together. Please give.

DONATE