Mayor Tom Dyas/ City of Kelowna

By Vernon Matters Staff

Back on the job

Kelowna mayor returns to duty after medical emergency

Mar 10, 2025 | 2:07 PM

The Mayor of Kelowna is back on the job after a month-long recovery from a rare medical condition.

Tom Dyas was diagnosed with a vertebral artery dissection, which caused a clot after sneezing unexpectedly in February.

The mayor thanked the community for their well-wishes and support, and also extended his gratitude to Deputy Mayor Luke Stack for his leadership in his absence.

“I can’t believe that after all the years of sports and physical activity, it was a sneeze that knocked me down,” Dyas said in a statement Monday. “Nevertheless, I am so deeply grateful and blessed for the care and dedication of the entire team at KGH. I cannot thank them enough for their exceptional efforts during the week I was in the hospital. I also want to thank Sandy and my family for all their love and support during this time.

While I recognize that artery dissections don’t immediately heal after a month, I am making a full recovery. In fact, with some adjustments to my diet and lifestyle, I may very well emerge from this even healthier than before.”

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Dyas said, in part, as he returns to duty his focus will continue to be on city business and delivering on the council priorities.