(Dr. Doyle with his 2019 VJH Physician of the Year award)

Originally born and raised in northern Alberta, I thereafter completed a BSc in neuroscience at the University of Alberta in 2005. I then had a couple of years working and traveling before starting medical school at St. George’s University in Grenada in 2008. It was an amazing experience where I was lucky to travel (and study) quite a bit. Clinical rotations were completed across the United States in New York City, Miami, Baltimore and Oakland, California. I then completed a residency in family medicine at University of Texas Health Science Center in San Antonio, Texas in 2015. After graduation, I headed back ‘home’ to British Columbia where I shortly there after started working by chance at Vernon Jubilee hospital. I fell in love with the team environment in the hospital as well as the work of a hospitalist. Outside of medicine, my interests include anything outdoors, most recently mountain biking, but also Nordic and downhill skiing, and previously some backcountry skiing as well as kite surfing. I also love to get out camping with our little Bigfoot that we have taken many places now, including two trips down to California and back. I currently have two beautiful and busy little boys and a supportive partner who is originally from California. One day we hope to spend a year in Mexico, immersed in the culture and language.

Born and raised in St. John's, Newfoundland, I completed both my B.Sc. (Biology) and MD at Memorial University before packing a U-Haul, my Great Dane, and my significant other (in no particular order) and travelling against prevailing winds to Thunder Bay, ON for a residency in Rural Family Medicine. In search of the best Nordic skiing the country could offer, I arrived in Vernon in 2003. I maintained locum status in the area until 2008 when I helped to start a new Family Medicine clinic in Armstrong, BC. Currently, I proudly work as a family practitioner in Armstrong, a hospitalist at VJH, and I provide care at Options for Sexual Health. I also hold a clinical instructor appointment with UBC. The Facility Engagement initiative is an exciting new venture for me. Seeing our local medical staff come together for this valuable work is both energizing and refreshing.

The elusive life/work balance is always front and centre in my sights. I balance my professional life with Nordic skiing, cycling, backcountry skiing, and the occasional blast back into a climbing harness, all the while trying not to get injured and spending as much time as possible with my family.

   

I am a Vancouver Island boy who cross country and downhill skied at Mt. Washington every weekend.  I attended Queen's University for a Bachelor of Science with Honors in Life Science, and was on the varsity water polo team (Go Gaels) while loving the all-you-can-eat meal plan.  Subsequently, I attended the University of British Columbia for medical school where I also learned how to skate and play hockey for the first time, and then did my residency training at the University of Alberta in General Pathology, part of which I spent a 4 week summer elective at VJH in 2007 with Drs. Jason Doyle and Doug Hardy.  Upon completion of residency, it was straight to Vernon for the good life, following royal college certification, as a full-time general pathologist with a 10-week-old daughter and miniature schnauzer in tow and Edmonton in the rearview mirror.  Five years later and three more children (boy, girl, boy) my family was complete.

As demands on dad have mercifully diminished, more time and energy is available for hospital related activities. By joining the VJH Physician Society, I hope to encourage improvement and innovation in patient care, help foster multidisciplinary cooperation, as well as optimize the VJH workplace for patients and health professionals alike.  When away from the hospital, I am active outside, with and without the family, and enjoy cycling and skiing, in all its various forms, as well as backpacking and camping.

Originally from Calgary, Sharon has lived in the Okanagan for the past 27 years. A journalist by profession, Sharon has a diverse background in both business and the non-profit sector. For 12 years she was Area Director of a national healthcare company, overseeing an infusion clinic and home and community health care operations from Fort St. John to the Kootenays. In 2019 she left healthcare to co-author two books: Mama’s Gotta Work (2020) and Fear Less (2021). Passionate about community, Sharon serves on the advisory council and executive committee of Central Okanagan Economic Development Commission and is vice-chair of the Okanagan chapter of Women in Leadership Foundation. In her spare time she enjoys family time, tennis, paddle boarding, live theatre and hiking with Winston, her 98 pound Golden Mountain dog. Please contact Sharon with any questions or feedback at programdirector@vernonphysiciansociety.ca

Maja is proud to have worked for more than 20 years at Vernon Jubilee Hospital which is also the hospital that she was actually born in.  Her extensive administrative experience includes both private and public sector careers, but her interest remains in medical administration.  She has worked on more than 10 acute care units at Vernon Jubilee Hospital as a unit coordinator as well as held community positions in the Home Oxygen, Cardiac/Pulmonary Rehab, and Mental Health programs.  She subsequently managed Interior Health’s new corporate credentialing and privileging department before retiring from full-time work.  In her leisure hours, Maja enjoys glam-camping, her husband’s gourmet cooking, and checking off bucket list items such as completing the Panama Canal transit via a cruise ship.  Contact Maja at maja@vernonphysiciansociety.ca

Taylor spent most of her life in the lower mainland and moved to the Okanagan in 2021. She has over 15 years of experience and education in administrative duties, website development, customer service, bookkeeping and marketing. She co-owns and runs a small contracting company as well as manages a household of 2 children and 3 dogs. In her spare time she enjoys downhill skiing, camping,  spending time with her family and friends, paddle boarding, running and reading. Contact Taylor at support@vernonphysiciansociety.ca.