KELOWNA, BC, April 15, 2025 – The KGH Foundation is launching the next phase of fundraising for their Closer to Home than you Think campaign with a $6M commitment to help fund Robotic Assisted Surgery (RAS) at Kelowna General Hospital (KGH). The campaign announcement follows the Ministry of Health’s announcement earlier today that Kelowna General Hospital has been approved as the first site for the leading-edge RAS technology in the BC interior.

“The best hospitals, and best surgeons, around the world embrace robotic assisted technology because of its significant benefits for patient care,” says Allison Young, CEO of the KGH Foundation. “It’s time to bring this level of surgical excellence to our hospital.”

Currently in British Columbia, Robotic Assisted Surgical programs are only available at hospitals located in the Lower Mainland and only recently, in Victoria. Compared to provinces like Alberta, Ontario, and Quebec, BC lags behind in the acquisition of this state-of-the-art surgical technology. 

“Bringing robotic-assisted surgery to KGH will be a monumental step forward for our community,” says Dr. Maurice Blitz, Chief of Surgery and Thoracic Surgeon at KGH, “I’ve seen firsthand the impact of this technology in leading hospitals across North America, and I’ve dreamed of the day we could bring it here. With the support of our community, we will soon be able to provide the very best possible outcomes for our patients—right here at home.” 

The introduction of RAS at KGH is a $12M investment. The KGH Foundation is aiming to raise $6M as part of their commitment to advancing clinical/ surgical excellence at KGH, the interior region’s primary referral hospital. 

Robotic-assisted surgical systems offer unprecedented levels of precision, control, visualization, and dexterity for surgeons. The primary benefit for patients is the minimally invasive nature of the surgery itself. Patients who undergo robotic-assisted surgeries benefit from improved surgical outcomes, faster recovery times, and fewer complications—especially in complex procedures.

The new robotic-assisted surgery technology is the first of its kind within Interior Health and will be introduced at KGH for use in urology, colorectal, and thoracic procedures—many of which involve cancer treatment. Urology and colorectal patients will largely come from the Central Okanagan, while the thoracic surgery program serves a broader population, with about 80 per cent of those patients residing outside the region.

“This technology represents a true paradigm shift,” says Dr. Joshua Wiesenthal, Surgeon and Head of Urology at KGH, who has long championed the introduction of robotic-assisted surgery to the institution. “It substantially reduces post-operative pain, shortens hospitalization, and minimizes both complications and scarring. Beyond the immediate clinical advantages, the adoption of robotic-assisted surgery will signal a defining moment for KGH. It will position our institution at the forefront of surgical innovation, strengthening our role as a leader in patient-centered care, and opening new opportunities for advanced surgical training and recruitment. Most importantly, it will reflect our ongoing commitment to providing the highest standard of care to the communities we serve.”

Not only will RAS bring enhanced patient outcomes to patients across the region, but it will also help establish KGH as a centre of surgical excellence. For years, surgeons currently pursuing their education have been training on robotics, and the majority are choosing to work where they can use this technology as they know how effective it is for their patients.

“Most surgeons training today are learning on robotic assisted systems, and we need this technology if we want to continue to attract and retain top tier surgical talent,” shares Dr. Blitz. “The next generation of surgeons knows this is the future, and they want to go where they can use robotics to give their patients the absolute best possible outcomes.”

“Bringing robotic-assisted surgery to KGH will create positive impact throughout the entire hospital,” says Lindsay Taberner, Executive Director of Kelowna General Hospital. “This cutting-edge technology will allow the surgeons to provide the most advanced and safest care , optimizing resources, and thereby allowing our teams to deliver the highest level of care. Faster recoveries mean increased hospital capacity, ensuring that more patients receive life-saving treatment when they need it most.”

“The incredible generosity of donors and this community, has enabled KGH to become a leader in cardiac and stroke care, setting new standards for excellence,” says Young. “Now, it’s time to take the next bold step forward. Robotic-assisted surgery will be a pivotal advancement. We couldn’t be more excited to provide our community the chance to play a part in it.”

To learn more and to give, visit www.kghfoundation.com/robotic-assisted-surgery.

The KGH Foundation’s ‘Closer to home than you think’ campaign is the organization’s most ambitious fundraising effort to date. The goal is to raise $40 million to help fund the immediate needs and long-term system changes in local health care, both at KGH, the region’s primary referral hospital, and in the community. The campaign is unique in that it’s structured to provide funding across multiple priority areas of health care, including Clinical and Surgical Excellence. Since launching in March 2023, over $30.9 million has been raised.