With a funding commitment from the Province and equipment acquisitions made possible by the generosity of donors to the KGH Foundation’s Closer to Home Than You Think campaign, the Gynecologic Oncology Surgical Program celebrates one year in operation at Kelowna General Hospital this fall.

Gynecologic cancers, including ovarian, cervical, endometrial, vulvar, and vaginal cancers, affect an estimated 8,000 Canadian women annually, yet access to timely, specialized care remains uneven, particularly for women outside major urban centres.

Historically, women in BC’s Southern Interior diagnosed with gynecologic cancers were referred to Vancouver for surgery, separating them from their families and support systems.

Bringing the vision of this program to life was made possible through the persistence of many: from KGH clinical leaders like Bev Sieker, Director of Clinical Operations; administrators like Lindsay Taberner, Executive Director at KGH; and a team of passionate KGH gynecologists and clinicians.

“Women deserve the same standard of care, close to home, that’s available in our largest cities,” says Sieker. “I am proud to be a part of a community and hospital that is putting women’s health where it belongs: at the forefront.”

To anchor the services, KGH welcomed three, dedicated gynecologic oncology surgeons to Kelowna, including Dr. Vanessa Carlson.

“Moving to Kelowna to help build this program has been incredibly rewarding,” says Dr. Carlson. “Every day I get to help women and let them know we can treat them here in their community.” 

Within months, the program met the provincial four-week standard of care for surgical intervention, reflecting both the clinical team’s commitment and the urgency of the need.

“With a 46% increase in gynecologic cancers in BC over the past decade, expanding this care in our region isn’t optional—it’s essential,” says Taberner. “We’ve already seen the profound impact that timely access to specialized surgery has on our patients’ lives and outcomes.”

“When I heard I could have my cancer surgery in Kelowna, I broke down in tears—not from fear, but from relief. It meant everything to be treated here by people who cared, near my family and my support system,” shares a recent Gynecologic Oncology Surgical Program patient.

The success of the program is not only rooted in strong clinical leadership, it’s been made possible by the generosity of donors. Last year, donors rallied to advance Cancer Care specifically at KGH, funding life-saving surgical innovation and critical upgrades to diagnostics, such as advanced imaging (including the acquisition of the 3T MRI), lab, and pathology services. In fact, the rapid acquisition of the diagnostic and surgical equipment needed for this program would not have been possible were it not for the generosity of donors.

“This was never about one person or one department—it was about believing that women in the Interior deserved better,” emphasizes Sieker. “Now, with the commitment of our team and the generosity of our community, we’ve made Kelowna a place where women can access the care they need, when they need it.”