Foundation spotlight series: Kootenay Lake Hospital Foundation

February 28, 2025

Kootenay Lake Hospital Foundation is governed by a group of dedicated volunteers whose purpose is to raise funds for the medical needs of Kootenay Lake Hospital in Nelson.

Foundations in the Interior region raise funds that support medical equipment, care needs, and innovative local initiatives in their communities. Each organization includes respected community leaders, volunteers and staff who are passionate about meeting the needs of patients and families in Interior Health. Thanks to the generosity of their supporters, we all have a stronger health system.

In this next story of our series on the incredible health-care and hospital foundations throughout our region, we interviewed Bryna Idler, executive director of Kootenay Lake Hospital Foundation (KLHF).

How long have you been with the Foundation?

Bryna: I've had the privilege of working with the Foundation for 29 years. I started when my daughter was just seven years old, and I remember her helping me with events as she got older. Now she’s married, and I have two wonderful grandchildren.

Two people sitting at a table facing each other in a restaurant holding glasses of wine. — Bryna Idler and Vince DeVito share a toast to celebrate the Italian Canadian Society's $1,000 donation to the Light Up the Hospital! campaign.

Tell us about the focus of your Foundation and why what you do is important.

Bryna: These funds provide our health-care professionals with the tools they need to provide quality care to our community.

Kootenay Lake Hospital Foundation is a proactive participant in the community health-care system. We connect equipment needs of our hospital and health-care professionals to donors with a desire to support health-care improvements at Kootenay Lake Hospital. We aid donors in realizing their goals for their community hospital by fundraising, planned giving and volunteer efforts to fulfill our mission.

Do you have any favourite fundraising campaigns?

Bryna: Over the course of 29 years, I've organized countless campaigns, but the one that stands out the most is the campaign to raise funds for a CT scanner. It truly felt like every individual, business and service club in town came together to support this cause. Thanks to their incredible efforts, we raised $1.5 million in just 18 months—making it the largest campaign we've ever undertaken.

Two people stand in a hospital hallway next to a medical cart. One person is wearing a black top and pants and has their hands in their pockets. The other is wearing a blue shirt and black pants. — Thanks to the incredible generosity of our community, the Foundation has acquired a state-of-the-art ECG Capable Vital Signs Monitor. This advanced equipment provides immediate ECG assessments at Kootenay Lake Hospital’s Heart Function Clinic. It gives Dr. Brandon Tuvel (R) and Heart Function Nurse Meika Johnson (L) critical real-time information, allowing them to develop a tailored and effective care plan, ensuring the highest level of care for our patients.

Is there a particular donation over the years that stands out?

Bryna: A long-time supporter of the Foundation donated his 1955 Corvette to be auctioned for the CT scanner campaign. This generous contribution helped raise a significant $125,000 for the cause.

KLHF auctioned off this donated 1955 Corvette and raised $125,000 towards a CT scanner.

Build relationships, not just donations. As the sole employee for the past 29 years, I’ve had the privilege of building strong, lasting connections with many board members and donors. By far, this has been the most rewarding aspect of my role.

-- Bryna Idler

What are Kootenay Lake Hospital Foundation's total donations to IH to date?

Bryna: Since its inception as a registered charity in 1991, the Foundation has granted over $7 million to Interior Health, ensuring the purchase of vital medical equipment that has greatly enhanced patient care in our community.

Three people sit in a hospital room. One in a red hoodie is standing, one in a black hoodie sits on a bed and a patient in a blue gown lies back on a blue pillow. — KLHF raised funds for MamaBirthie, a state-of-the-art, lifelike birthing simulator designed to elevate the skills of health-care professionals. From L to R: KLH Maternity registered nurses Denise, Jenna and Sabrina.

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