Vernon Jubilee Hospital turns 125

Jun 16, 2022 | 1:16 PM

Vernon Jubilee Hospital (VJH) has been providing medical care in the North Okanagan for 125 years.

“Vernon Jubilee Hospital has been home to amazing health-care workers that have provided public health-care to generations of families in the community and the area,” said Adrian Dix, Minister of Health.

“I wish everyone involved with VJH a happy 125th anniversary and look forward to the years and decades ahead.”

VJH opened in 1897 as the “Cottage Hospital,” and at the time was just a house on 28th Avenue that had four staff. A hospital society spearheaded the purchase of the house for $2,000.

Water Source Change

Water source change implemented due to turbidity in Kal Lake

6h ago

Body Cams

Vernon RCMP implementing body cams

8h ago

Our Enderby Clean-Up Challenge

Community members to help clean up Enderby in annual event

9h ago

VJH opened in 1897 as the Cottage Hospital on 28th Avenue that had four staff. (Submitted photo/Interior Health)

In 1909, the hospital moved to its current location at 2101 32nd St. after the land on the traditional unceded territory of the Sylix people was donated by Samuel Polson.

That facility included an operating room, hot water heating and telephone service.

In 1921, an x-ray service was added at VJH, and in 1938, a laboratory was included.

The hospital continued to grow over the years, with the North Tower opening in 1949, the Centennial Wing going up in 1968, the Polson Extended Care Annex addition opening in 1982, followed by the South Tower in 1983.

In 2011, the Polson Tower opened with expanded ambulatory care and outpatient clinics, new ambulance space, a new maternity and pediatrics unit with direct links to operating rooms, and new intensive care and coronary units. In 2016, medical inpatient units were added, and in 2019, there came the addition of a fifth operating room and new MRI.

VJH currently employs nearly 1,700 staff and physicians who serve approximately 93,720 people, including First Nations communities and Métis peoples.

“Vernon Jubilee has a long, proud history. It is the heart of the community,” said Richard Harding, executive director for clinical operations in Interior Health’s North Okanagan.

“I’m especially proud of the health-care teams who provide such excellent care. The last two years of the pandemic have been challenging, but every day they gave — and continue to give — their best to patients and their families. We know from the messages we’ve received how much people are grateful for the care they’ve received from our staff and physicians,” Harding added.

by Liam Verster