We are IH: Cranbrook doctor finds meaning in rural B.C. health care

Although Babatunde had nearly a decade of experience as a family doctor in Nigeria, he — like many internationally trained physicians — needed to complete a rigorous process to become licensed in Canada. Over two years, he worked in several roles across B.C., each one shaping his understanding of the province and its people.

His first stop was Terrace, where he worked as a WorkSafeBC case manager. The role opened his eyes to the daily challenges faced by Indigenous communities and the lasting impacts of colonialism. That experience, he said, became a foundational part of how he approaches patient care.

He later joined Royal Inland Hospital (RIH) in Kamloops as an associate physician, supporting attending doctors on one of the busiest inpatient units in the Interior. From there, he entered the Practice Ready Assessment program — and in 2025, he successfully completed the assessment to practice independently as a family physician in Canada.

At first, Babatunde imagined himself settling in a larger centre like Victoria. But a mentor changed his mind.

“It was my old Chief of Staff at RIH, Dr. Liz Parfitt, who convinced me to give rural medicine a chance," Babatunde says. "As a new physician to Canada, working in a smaller setting would give me more hands-on experience and time to adapt.”

That advice proved invaluable.

When he arrived in Cranbrook, he was welcomed with open arms. Colleagues picked him up from the airport and gave him a tour of town; strangers at the post office thanked him for choosing to practice there. At work, he found the variety he craved — building long-term relationships as a family doctor, providing lifesaving care in the emergency department and treating admitted patients in the hospital. The balance keeps him energized.

Of course, rural medicine isn’t without challenges. There are overwhelming days and sleepless nights. But what keeps him going is the chance to help people and the healing it brings him personally. After losing his father to a heart attack, he finds comfort in seeing patients recover under his care.

Outside the clinic, Babatunde’s musical side shines. “Music runs in my veins,” he says. He plays piano, guitar and drums, and once led a choir. He’s excited to get involved with local churches and explore everything the Kootenays have to offer — from skiing to hunting to biking.

To fellow physicians still searching for their place, he offers simple advice: “Start small, you may be able to gain more.”

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