Our Centre in Vernon is a Community Oncology site with a hybrid operational structure. Physicians are hired by BC Cancer, but other staff and space are funded by Interior Health Authority. The clinic is located within the Vernon Jubilee Hospital. We currently have two full time medical oncologists, supported by 2.0 FTE of GPO team members (4 individual GPOs). A third oncologist has been recruited to join the team in summer 2024, and a fourth position is being considered, due to population growth and the expansion all sites are experiencing in the range of therapy options for patients. The population size within the city is about 43,000, and adjacent smaller communities produce a catchment area of about 67,000 currently.
Elective opportunities would provide an applicant an experience working in a busy and collegial small Oncology Centre, located about 45 minutes from the Regional Centre in Kelowna. The current medical oncologists each treat the range of most common cancer types, with more specialized tumour types, especially those requiring a chemoradiation approach, referred to Kelowna. Clinicians in Vernon have the opportunity to attend educational and clinical care focused rounds and events based in Vernon or Kelowna, in person or virtually, as desired. Electives could occur at any time of year, with sufficient notice. Vernon is at the North end of the fertile Okanagan valley, and offers beautiful surroundings, including the Silver Star downhill ski mountain, nearby Nordic ski trails at Sovereign Lake, as well as access to beautiful lakes, parks, orchards, and vineyards. Interested candidates could consider splitting their time between Vernon and Kamloops, for two Community Oncology Centre experiences.
Contact for either location can be made with Dr. Susan Ellard, Medical Oncology Department Leader at BC Cancer Kelowna, and inquiries will be shared with the respective oncologists at Vernon and/or Kamloops, to enable communication and planning. Susan Ellard can be reached at sellard@bccancer.bc.ca or 250.712.3900 ext 686804.
