By Times Chronicle Staff
The South Okanagan Similkameen Medical Foundation has launched the 20th Annual Tree of Dreams campaign with the light up of a Christmas tree atop the David Kampe Tower at Penticton Regional Hospital.
This year’s Tree of Dreams is dedicated to bringing cutting-edge surgical robotics to the region, technology typically reserved for major metropolitan centres.
“But we believe that if big cities have access to world-class innovation, our communities deserve it too,” the SOS Medical Foundation said.
The robotic systems include:
- ROSA Robotic-Assisted Orthopedic Surgery System – delivering unparalleled precision in knee and hip procedures.
- Da Vinci Robotic Surgical System – a world-renowned platform offering superior accuracy, smaller incisions, fewer complications, faster recovery, and the opportunity for quicker surgeries.
With the addition of the Da Vinci system, Penticton will become the first rural city in British Columbia to offer robotic-assisted surgery. This is our moment to lead, to innovate, and to ensure our families, friends, and neighbours have access to the most advanced medical technologies available anywhere in Canada.
“This campaign is about redefining what healthcare looks like in a rural community,” said Ian Lindsay, CEO of the SOS Medical Foundation.
“With the ROSA and Da Vinci systems, we are proving that world-class, cutting-edge care belongs here just as much as it does in Vancouver or Kelowna. This is our chance to lead, to innovate, and to show that the South Okanagan Similkameen is ready for the future of healthcare.”
The $2 million campaign to fund urgently needed upgrades at Oliver’s South Okanagan General Hospital also continues.
Key priorities include state-of-the-art ultrasound equipment, a new digital x-ray machine, and new temporary housing for visiting physicians and specialists. These critical improvements will lead to faster diagnoses, expanded services, and a stronger, more stable healthcare workforce for Oliver, Osoyoos, and the entire South Okanagan, according to the Foundation.
“Every dollar donated stays at SOGH and supports the hospital’s ability to deliver timely, reliable, high-quality care for families throughout the region,” it added.
John Pankiw 2025 Healthcare Champion.
Contributed photo
Meanwhile, this year’s Tree of Dreams launch also recognized John Pankiw as the SOS Medical Foundation’s 2025 Healthcare Champion, an honour reserved for those whose commitment to healthcare and frontline workers goes far beyond expectation.
“John’s unwavering support for healthcare staff has been nothing short of extraordinary. From outfitting every hospital department with coffee machines and pods, and personally returning again and again to keep them stocked, to purchasing Penticton Vees game tickets so staff could enjoy well-deserved moments of rest and community, his generosity touches every corner of the hospital,” the SOS Medical Foundation said.
Pankiw also funded a dedicated staff room at the Oncology Centre and donated the iconic tree that shines atop the hospital each December, “a beacon of hope, gratitude, and appreciation for the sacrifices healthcare workers make, especially during the holidays.
“His compassion, humility, and steadfast support for those who care for our community make him a truly deserving Healthcare Champion.”
For more information or to donate, visit the SOGH page at sosmedicalfoundation.com/sogh or for the Tree of Dreams campaign visit sosmedicalfoundation.com/tree-of-dreams .
