Spring is here and warmer weather means more people will be spending time outdoors in tall grasses or wooded areas. This can also mean an increased chance of getting tick bites.

The Pediatrics team at Kelowna General Hospital (KGH) is delighted to welcome Dr. Avi Kopstick, a pediatrician and fellowship-trained pediatric critical care specialist who is now practising in the Interior after years in the United States. His clinical focus is matched by a deeply personal connection to pediatrics, one rooted in formative childhood experiences that have shaped not only his career path, but his commitment to supporting children and families during their most vulnerable moments. Dr. Kopstick joins KGH at a pivotal time. The Pediatrics department has recently recruited multiple physicians with extensive pediatric critical care training. Among the team are physicians who have completed fellowships in British Columbia and internationally, creating a rare concentration of expertise. Together, they see opportunity. “There’s energy right now. The Interior is growing. We have to develop together,” he explains. “Over the next 10 or 20 years, this is what I hope to help build.” A calling shaped by family and experience When asked why he chose pediatrics, Dr. Kopstick jokes that it feels like he’s “interviewing for residency again.” But his answer comes easily—and goes back to childhood. “I’ve always enjoyed taking care of kids,” he explains. Growing up in Toronto surrounded by younger cousins, he naturally gravitated toward babysitting and nurturing roles.  But one family experience profoundly shaped his path. When Dr. Kopstick was young, one of his cousins suffered a brain injury as a toddler and was left in a persistent vegetative state. His cousin required ventilator support and lived for 16 years in a pediatric long-term care facility in Toronto. “My family visited him every weekend or holiday,” Dr. Kopstick recalls. “I spent a lot of time at his bedside.” Those years exposed him not only to his cousin’s journey but to many children with complex medical needs. He witnessed the dedication of specialized pediatric teams caring for vulnerable children and was inspired by the compassion and expertise required. “I always thought I would grow up to help take care of kids just like my cousin.” From pediatrics to pediatric critical care During medical school, Dr. Kopstick briefly debated between obstetrics and pediatrics—until someone asked him a simple question: “Do you enjoy delivering the baby, or do you just enjoy the baby part?” “For me,” he laughs, “it was pretty much just the baby part.” That clarity led him into pediatrics and eventually into pediatric critical care medicine. Today, he is a pediatric intensivist, specializing in the care of critically ill children. He sometimes jokes with a touch of humour that he chose pediatrics because he “loves the sound of children crying.” But behind the humour lies clinical truth. “In the delivery room or intensive care unit, a child’s cry means they’re breathing. They’re protecting their airway. They’re conscious. They’re vocalizing their needs,” he explains. “It’s music to my ears.” Critical care medicine, he says, is both intellectually stimulating and deeply meaningful. The physiology is complex and fast-paced, and small interventions can have life-changing impacts. Children, he notes, often recover remarkably well, but even in tragedy, he sees purpose. “Being present when families are facing the worst moment of their lives is a sacred privilege,” he says. With a strong focus on trauma-informed care, Dr. Kopstick strives to provide compassionate, personalized support when families need it most. “If I can make the worst day of someone’s life just a little bit less unbearable, that’s the gift I have to give.” Dr. Kopstick on a hike in North Vancouver. Why Kelowna and why now? Although much of his training and early career took place in the United States, Dr. Kopstick always had a desire to work in Canada one day. The path was not straightforward. After attending medical school abroad, he pursued dual licensing exams and maintained Canadian credentials throughout his U.S. training. “To finally receive my B.C. medical licence was a huge personal milestone,” he says. “When you’re Canadian and you become a doctor but can’t practise in your own country, it feels incomplete.” When he interviewed in Kelowna, several things came together. The Okanagan region’s natural beauty, welcoming community and active lifestyle appealed to him immediately. “The lake is glorious. The bike paths are incredible. I love hiking. The food is amazing,” he says. Bringing cross-border experience home Having practised extensively in both the United States and Canada, Dr. Kopstick speaks with genuine respect for the strengths of each system. He completed the majority of his residency and fellowship training in the U.S., describing it as the place “where I really learned my craft.” “The training I received in the United States was exceptional,” he says. “I have tremendous respect for many of my colleagues working in the U.S. system. They are incredibly dedicated physicians doing outstanding work every day.” He credits his time there—from Brooklyn to Portland to El Paso—with shaping him into the physician he is today, particularly in the fast-paced, highly specialized environment of pediatric critical care. At the same time, returning to Canada felt personally meaningful. “What I appreciate about the Canadian system is the strong commitment to universal access and the shared mission of caring for the whole community,” he says. For Dr. Kopstick, that sense of collective responsibility is tangible at the bedside. He notes Canada’s emphasis on evidence-based care, professional accountability and continuous improvement as important strengths of the system. While he recognizes that every health-care system faces challenges, he feels aligned with the foundational values of Canadian medicine. “At the end of the day,” he says, “you can provide health care you’re proud of.” Dr. Kopstick on Knox Mountain in Kelowna. A warm welcome and a bicycle Six months into his role at KGH, Dr. Kopstick says the welcome from the community has been extraordinary. “I’ll be in an ice cream shop and mention I’m a new pediatrician, and people immediately thank me for coming,” he says. “From the bank to the bike shop, everyone has been so welcoming.” In fact, he didn’t even bring a car to Kelowna. “I only brought a bicycle,” he says with a smile. “And I do not regret that choice. I bike everywhere and I love it.” For a physician who values connection, community and accessibility, it’s a fitting symbol of how he hopes to practise medicine: grounded, present and close to home. A message to the community To families who may have been concerned about pediatric services in the past, Dr. Kopstick offers reassurance. “There is real growth happening here,” he says. “There are dedicated people working hard to improve pediatric and acute care services in this region.” And to physicians considering a move to Kelowna? “This is a growing health-care system in a beautiful region with incredible opportunity,” he says. “There is meaningful work to be done.” As Kelowna General Hospital continues strengthening its pediatric services, Dr. Kopstick’s combination of advanced expertise, long-term vision and heartfelt compassion marks an exciting new chapter for children’s health care in the Interior.

Since arriving in late 2025 at Kelowna General Hospital (KGH), a robot nicknamed Vinni is already making a difference in the lives of patients. Vinni is KGH’s and Interior Health’s (IH) first surgical robot. Known as robotic-assisted surgery—or RAS for short—the technology allows surgeons to operate on patients with greater precision in tighter spaces, while reducing complications, pain and blood loss. The robot has been helping doctors like urologist Dr. Matthew Ho perform complex surgeries. “RAS allows us to do a wide range of surgeries in a less invasive way,” explains Dr. Ho. “For the patient this means less pain, less blood loss, and less suffering.” Dr. Ho was excited to be the first doctor at KGH to perform a robotic-assisted surgery. “It’s cool, it’s fun, and I enjoy it a lot. Everyone’s excited to be doing something new and better for patients,” says Dr. Ho. “This tool allows me and other surgeons at KGH to offer our absolute best to the people of Kelowna and the Interior.” Lyle Archambault, who had prostate cancer, was the first patient at KGH to benefit from the technology—something he was quite excited about. Traditionally, prostate surgery is done with an open incision. This can mean quite a bit of blood loss, pain, a 2–3-day hospital stay and a prolonged recovery. Complications can include incontinence. “I was surprised how fast the healing went,” says Lyle. “The results have been incredibly good.” Lyle says he was up and walking with assistance within 10 hours of the surgery and discharged in less than 24 hours. Within four days, he said he could walk three or four blocks. “I think that’s the power of robotics,” adds Dr. Ho. “I can do just as good surgery while minimizing the pain and suffering.” Vinni is also being used for more complex urology, colorectal and thoracic surgeries at the hospital. Plans are underway to expand regional access to this technology. “The people of Kelowna deserve this,” says Dr. Ho, who shares he came to work at KGH knowing a robot was on the way. “They can expect the same standard of care they might get in a city like Vancouver with shorter wait times.” A special thanks goes to the KGH Foundation for their support. 

Name: Joanna Norman, RM (she/her/hers) Job Title: Owner of Mighty Oak Midwifery Care & Clinical Director, EPACT Length of Service: 18 Worksite: Royal Inland Hospital Community: Kamloops Ancestral Territory: Secwépemc Favourite Quote / Advice to Live By: “You cannot get through a single day without having an impact on the world around you. What you do makes a difference, and you have to decide what kind of difference you want to make.” —Jane Goodall For nearly three decades, Joanna Norman has walked alongside families during some of the most profound moments of their lives. She’s with them from the time they are pregnant to the time they give birth and in the first few weeks of parenthood and follow-up care. On International Women’s Day, we celebrate Joanna not only for her dedication to families in Kamloops, but for her contribution to a stronger, more collaborative vision for maternity care in the region.

March is Nutrition Month—the perfect time to build skills that support your heart health in simple, practical ways. If you’re living with a cardiac condition (or supporting someone who is), the kitchen can be one of your most powerful tools. Our new short video series is designed to make heart-healthy cooking approachable, realistic and even fun. Related Stories@IH: Cook your way to kidney health with plant-based medicine This series is about more than recipes. It’s about building confidence and how to create meals that nourish your heart without sacrificing taste. Ready to get started? Watch the videos, try the tips, and cook along with the bowl recipe in your own kitchen. Small changes can lead to lasting impact and it all starts with what’s on your plate. Cooking Your Way to a Healthy Heart: Plant-Based Proteins Explore the benefits of incorporating more plant-based meals into your routine. Cooking Your Way to a Healthy Heart: How to Prepare Dried Beans Discover how to prepare beans and lentils, affordable, fibre-rich staples that promote cardiovascular health.  Cooking Your Way to a Healthy Heart: Black Bean Burrito Bowl In our step-by-step bowl video, follow along at home to build a delicious black bean, veggie, salsa and rice bowl that’s balanced, flavourful and satisfying.

Interior Health (IH) delivers care through hospitals, clinics, long-term care homes, and other facilities. Behind the scenes many teams work together to keep these facilities safe, comfortable and sustainable. They integrate key considerations such as HVAC systems, thermal energy priorities, and climate responsibilities into capital projects that support quality environments for patients and staff. This includes managing how buildings use and generate energy to lower greenhouse gas emissions, and ensuring healthy indoor air quality. Major infrastructure and energy projects rely on close collaboration across departments: Plant Services in partnership with Clinical Operations identify the needs and operational priorities, while the Project Management team plans, scopes and coordinates each project. Once construction is complete, projects transition back to Plant Services, where regional plant managers oversee safe operations, maintenance and long-term performance. Throughout the process, the Energy Management team provides expertise in efficiency, emissions reduction and sustainability. Together, these teams ensure IH facilities remain reliable, climate‑aligned and focused on protecting patient and staff well-being. Meet some of the team members who bring this process to life and learn about their roles.

This is part one in a three-part series exploring the connection between housing and health in the Interior Health region. In the interior of B.C., where winter can sometimes be unforgiving, the need for warmth goes far beyond temperature. It’s about dignity, safety and belonging. For individuals who are unhoused or at risk, the cold season brings heightened vulnerability; not just to the elements, but to a range of health and emotional risks that are often invisible to the public eye. The link between housing and health is undeniable. According to Public Health Ontario’s report on homelessness and health outcomes, people who rely on emergency shelters, winter response sites or outdoor spaces face higher risks of chronic illness, mental health challenges, substance-related harms and barriers to accessing care. These risks aren’t about personal choices: they’re about circumstances, access and safety. Without stable housing, even basic health care becomes difficult to access.

Name: Jayme Pereira (she/her/hers) Job Title: Coordinator, Peer Inclusion Length of Service: 4 Worksite:  Kelowna Community Health and Services Centre (CHSC) Community: Kelowna Ancestral Territory: syilix Favourite Quote / Advice to Live By: “Everyone you meet is fighting a battle you know nothing about. Be kind. Always.”  —Robin Williams Jayme lives in Kelowna on the traditional, ancestral and unceded territory of the syilix Nation. For her, family and community guide how she navigates life. That sense of connection to people, shared experiences, and a responsibility to embody inclusion is something Jayme carries into work every day. To Jayme, reconciliation is not a single action or statement. It’s a practice. It’s a way of life. “Reconciliation starts with a commitment to learning the truths of the past, reflecting on my own assumptions, and building relationships rooted in respect and humility. I believe it is a lifelong practice, and I commit to showing up with consistency, curiosity and care.” That commitment to listening, especially to voices that have too often been excluded, is central to Jayme’s work in the Peer Inclusion program—and the fuel for each choice she’s made along her career path.

After a warm and rainy start to winter across much of the province, British Columbians are encouraged to prepare for colder weather and winter road conditions in the days and weeks ahead. As temperatures drop, it’s important to be aware of the health risks of cold. Here's what you can do to ensure you and your loved ones remain safe and healthy.