Head of South Okanagan Similkameen Medical Foundation moving on

After 11 years with the South Okanagan Similkameen Medical Foundation, executive director Janice Perrino is moving onto a new career challenge.

Perrino will complete her tenure on July 15 to become president of the Nanaimo & District Hospital Foundation.

Walter Despot, chair of the SOS Medical Foundation board, said Perrino will be immensely missed and the entire organization wishes her every success in the future.

"Janice’s departure comes after a hugely successful launch to the Foundation’s $20-million campaign to supply the medical equipment for the $312.5-million expansion of Penticton Regional Hospital,” said Despot. “She has done an exceptional job of raising funds for our hospital and all of the other medical facilities in the region.”

Perrino said winning government approval for the new PRH patient care tower and emergency room expansion was a great accomplishment for the region.

“This is the best project for our region’s future. What has been the most exciting for me to see, is the public’s commitment to the fundraising campaign,” she said.

“Now a new executive-director can work with the community to take us over the top, ensure the hospital has the medical equipment needed and that we are set for the future.”

Perrino also worked closely with many donors over the years – most recently with Penticton businessman David Kampe who announced a $3-million donation for a permanent MRI to be located at PRH. This was not part of the project’s original budget.

Perrino openly admits that the hardest part of leaving will be saying goodbye to the donors along with the Foundation and hospital staff.

Perrino led the Foundation’s previous major campaigns at PRH, including a mobile MRI van, CT scan, digital stereotactic mammography machine, new digital imaging equipment, student residence, along with hundreds of pieces of medical equipment for health facilities throughout the region.

The SOS Medical Foundation intends to have a new executive-director in place shortly to lead the continuing fundraising campaign for the new PRH tower project.