We Are IH: Kelowna trauma physicians praise value of teamwork

Name: Dr. Matthew White (he/him/his)
Job Title: Critical Care, Trauma & Emergency Physician
Years of Service: 2
Worksite: Kelowna General Hospital
Community: Kelowna
Ancestral Territory: Syilx Okanagan
Advice to live by: “You get out of it, what you put into it.” I’ve always liked this quote because it emphasizes personal accountability to reach your goals.

Born and raised in the Atlantic Provinces, Dr. Matthew White feels immense privilege taking care of people when they are at their most vulnerable. This often involves interacting with their families as well.

In fact, his role as a physician was deeply affected when his mom died of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, or ALS, in 2013 when he was a resident physician.

“It was the hardest time in my life, and being the family member of a critically ill patient continues to give me perspective on how I interact with families as a physician.”

Matthew describes himself as an energetic, motivated and affable guy, who takes great pride in doing the best he can.

“As part of Trauma, Emergency and Critical Care, you often operate as a large team to take care of patients. I love working in this team environment and am incredibly inspired by my talented colleagues.”

Matthew finds inspiration in being a mentor. One of his proudest moments was watching a resident he taught an advanced ultrasound skill apply it in taking better care of an ill patient. “It was a neat feeling as a new attending physician seeing the impact you can have by teaching others unique skills you have developed.”

In his downtime, Matthew loves hanging out with his wife and two young children. He also loves sports and occasionally dabbles in the odd triathlon race or struggles through a round of golf. Matthew’s looking forward to a wildfire- and smoke-free summer here in the Okanagan, and getting home to Nova Scotia for a long overdue visit with family.

Name: Dr. Brenden van der Westhuizen (he/him/his)
Job Title: Trauma and General Surgeon
Years of Service: New to IH
Worksite: Kelowna General Hospital
Community: Kelowna
Ancestral Territory: Syilx Okanagan
Advice to live by: “There is no passion to be found playing small in settling for a life that is less than the one you are capable of living.” - Nelson Mandela

Dr. Brenden van der Westhuizen is a new addition to Interior Health’s team. He’s looking forward to continuing to build a multidisciplinary, highly efficient Trauma service at Kelowna General Hospital, improving the system and how Interior Health provides care to the critically injured patient.

Describing himself as friendly, charismatic passionate and motivated, Brenden loves to have fun and enjoys interacting with people.

“My proudest career moments have been the personal messages and thanks from those that I have taught and taken care of.”

Brenden believes that you're never done learning – you can always be better.

“You're working in a team environment, in the service of the most vulnerable at their most desperate moment of need. That is why we need to be at our best.”

Brenden is originally from South Africa – in fact, his parents and three siblings are still there. When Brenden arrived in Canada in 2007, his plan was always to return to South Africa… but he met a woman, Jennifer, and the rest is history. She became his wife and Brenden remained in Canada, working as a general practitioner in Lethbridge, Fort Macleod, Taber and Calgary, Alberta.

After completing his surgical residency at the University of Alberta, followed by a Trauma Fellowship in Cape Town, South Africa, Brenden practiced in Edmonton as a Trauma and General surgeon from 2018 until March 2022 – and loved every minute of it!

“My wife is originally from the Okanagan, and always wanted to return. We've always loved it here in the Okanagan and we're very happy to be here. We have two beautiful kids. Hanging out as a family is priceless!”

Brenden is up for anything outdoors: hiking, biking, swimming. He also loves coffee, wine and beer, and is an avid sports fan.

Fast fact: Brenden hates the combination of chocolate and nuts. “Love them individually, but cannot stand them in combination.”

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