The Okanagan Valley of British Columbia is well known for its wine tourism and its population of retirees. The valley, situated in the southernmost interior of British Columbia, is considered desirable real estate and prime retirement location. It goes without saying that any location that fits this description will also be a community with access to excellent healthcare. The Okanagan Valley is equipped with some of the best medical facilities and staff in British Columbia, and even in Canada. With the Okanagan Valley’s population ever expanding, its medical community will no doubt continue to expand and become stronger also.

Kelowna is in the heart of the Okanagan Valley. With the largest population and the most amenities of anywhere in the Okanagan, Kelowna is the powerhouse of the valley, both economically and geographically speaking. Its medical community is known throughout the province as one of the best, and brings in people from all over Western Canada. Kelowna General Hospital has a reputation for being one of the best in Western Canada, with a huge diversity of talented medical staff and very well run operations. The rest of Kelowna’s medical community, including its private practices, specialty areas of medicine and lab services are also of high repute.

Penticton is south of Kelowna and also boasts a thriving community. Smaller than Kelowna but with just as much tourism appeal, Penticton is a slightly smaller, less wealthy and more liberal version of Kelowna. Penticton Regional Hospital is one of the larger hospitals in the Okanagan with a number of specialists and experienced medical professionals on staff. Penticton is also home to a wide range of walk in clinics, private practices, specialty practices and lab services.

And lastly, Vernon is a city located north of Kelowna that has a thriving retirement and medical community as well. Vernon Jubilee Hospital is known for its specialty surgeons and core medical provision. Vernon’s clinics and specialty areas of medicine are a great benefit to the city, particularly to its senior citizens who make up a great deal of the population.

Kelowna, British Columbia is situated in the Okanagan Valley, which is the very northern part of the Sonoran Desert. The Okanagan Valley is home to a number of old money families and wealthy retirees, with Kelowna being the unofficial capitol of the Okanagan and the seat of the valley’s wealth. For this reason, Kelowna’s health industry is also generously funded and top of the line. Kelowna’s medical facilities are some of the best in the nation. Vancouver residents commute to Kelowna for some of its medical specialties and hospital services. That is how well respected the medical industry of Kelowna is.

Kelowna General Hospital in particular is a very reputable medical facility. Many of the doctors at KGH have multiple specialties and many years of experience. They are some of the best in the nation. KGH is a research hospital and a student hospital that takes interns from the university and the college for all positions. They train under the high level medical staff and gain valuable experience. KGH is also known for being tightly run and having very firm protocols.

The private practices and lab services in Kelowna are also highly reputable. There is something of a shortage of private practices in Kelowna as many residents do not even have a family physician or dentist, and most private practices are beyond capacity. However, the medical staff at these facilities are still very desirable and skilled at what they do. Kelowna boasts a highly capable private medical industry of physicians, surgeons, dentists and more. It should be noted that privatized mental health care in Kelowna is also highly esteemed. Those struggling with addictions and mental disorders can find support through a Kelowna alcohol treatment program, drug detox center or private counselor.

Kelowna also offers its share of world class medical specialists. In British Columbia, the highest volume of medical industry specialists is found between Vancouver and Kelowna. The two cities are only a short commute away from one another, and it is very common for residents to commute between the two cities to see a medical specialist. It is quite impressive that Kelowna, a city of only a few thousand people, has medical facilities and specialists that rival that of one of Canada’s biggest cities.