Kelowna

Kelowna General Hospital has a new doctor in charge.

Photo: Contributed

Dr. Michael Ertel

Physician Dr. Michael Ertel has accepted the position of Chief of Staff at KGH.

“Interior Health is pleased Dr. Ertel has agreed to take on this important role,” says Dr. Robert Halpenny, President and CEO of Interior Health.

“The Chief of Staff is a fundamental position at the hospital with responsibilities that include providing leadership to the medical staff and ensuring the delivery of quality patient care.”

Dr. Ertel has been an emergency physician at KGH since 1996. He has previously held leadership positions within Interior Health as the department head for the KGH Emergency Department and most recently as Medical Director for the Emergency Network.

“Dr. Ertel’s leadership in emergency medicine has prepared him well for the role of Chief of Staff at KGH,” says Dr. Michael Murray, Senior Medical Director Tertiary Services at Interior Health. “His passion for patient and family centred care and his commitment to quality will enable him to lead KGH to new levels of excellence.”

As Chief of Staff, Dr. Ertel is charged with moving KGH to the next level as the hospital continues to develop its role as a tertiary and academic site with a focus on quality, education and research.

“It’s an exciting time to be a physician in the Okanagan” says Dr. Ertel,

“Over the past 17 years I’ve seen many positive advancements and changes at KGH, including the creation of the Southern Medical Program and our role as a teaching hospital. I now have an opportunity to help shape our continued growth as one of the best hospitals in the country.”

In his off-time, Dr. Ertel is an assistant team physician for the Kelowna Rockets of the Western Hockey League, and does volunteer medical work with a local cross country ski club. Father to three daughters and married to a family physician, Dr. Ertel enjoys playing hockey and the piano.

Dr. Ertel replaces Dr. Jan McIntosh who retired from the position of Chief of Staff after having held the position for 15 years.