Welcome! We’re glad you’re here and interested in moving to the beautiful Okanagan region of British Columbia (BC) as a Healthcare Professional! The Province has a number of initiatives in-place to connect healthcare professionals with jobs and streamline entry into Canada. This site is assembled by local volunteers to help you get started.
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Join the BC Interior Discord group to learn more, ask questions, and connect with members of the local community. You’ll find other US health professionals also exploring relocation to the Okanagan & sharing their experiences!
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Kelowna is the largest city in the region. Kelowna and surrounding communities of West Kelowna, Peachland, Lake Country, and Vernon centre around Okanagan Lake, a large 84 mile (135Km) inland fjord that extends from Vernon to Penticton, BC. The population of the Central Okanagan is about 260,000. The region is surrounded by mountains and is known for beautiful landscapes that draw tourists year round. The Okanagan valley is a semi-arid fruit growing area that boasts wineries, fabulous fresh produce, and farm stands throughout the region.
This Healthcare Infusion chapter is built on the model for Healthcare Infusion information developed by Tod and Jocelyn Maffin who live on Vancouver Island, Canada. In April 2025, they invited Americans to visit Nanaimo, BC on Vancouver Island and hundreds came. Some liked the Island so much, they’ve moved there. The Nanaimo Infusion has grown to a Canada-wide invitation to US-trained healthcare professionals interested in moving to serve our communities. We’re glad you’re here!
Are you local to the Okanagan or the BC Interior? Please join the Discord group! You do not need to be a healthcare professional - your knowledge of the region, neighbourhoods, schools, favourite hiking trails…and most of all your sense of community are needed and welcomed!
Kelowna and surrounding areas sit on the traditional, ancestral, and unceded territory of the Syilx Okanagan people, upon whose ancestral lands we are all grateful to live, work, play, and gather.
The Okanagan valley extends south and into Washington state. Kelowna is located about 80 miles (130km) north of the Oroville, Washington border crossing. We are 240 miles (390km) inland from Vancouver, BC. Kelowna International Airport serves the region and has direct flights to Vancouver and elsewhere in BC, Calgary, Toronto, Ottawa (new service), Edmonton, Cancun, Seattle, and Los Angeles (LAX service is winter only at the moment).
Kelowna was recently designated as Canada’s first UNESCO City of Gastronomy and a top 15 world destination for dining by Eater.com. Outdoor activities abound and include skiing (downhill and cross-country), kayaking, hiking, golfing, and much much more (see also Step 5: “fun and recreation” section).
We encourage you to visit this beautiful part of BC…and while you’re here, maybe set up an interview!
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Step 4: Get to Know the Central Okanagan!
Step 5: You’re here! Now what?
In Canada, diversity isn't just tolerated — it's celebrated.
You can marry who you love, practice your faith, and express yourself without fear.
Our public healthcare system ensures that no one goes bankrupt from a broken leg or a chronic condition.
And our political climate, while imperfect, remains rooted in civility and a general sense of decency.
(Also, we believe in vaccines and science.)
If you’re looking for a place where your rights matter, where your kids can grow up safe, and where compassion still has a seat at the table — come north.
You’ll like it here.
hay ch q’a siiye’yu (”thank you friend” in the *Snuneymuxw language*),
Tod and Jocelyn 🙂 To reach Tod & Jocelyn click here
The volunteer organizers of these web-based resources can be reached by joining the BC Interior Discord group. On rare occasion Discord will give an error message as you apply to join. If you encounter any issues, please send a friend request to @OkanaganDual_57731 in Discord and we can get you added through direct invitation.