
Dr. Maurice Blitz
President, KGHPS Board of Directors
President, KGHPS Board of Directors
Past President, KGHPS Board of Directors
VICE PRESIDENT, KGHPS BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Secretary-Treasurer, KGHPS Board of Directors
Originally hailing from Regina, Dr. Podavin went to med school in Saskatoon, and then completed his family medicine residency at McGill. He relocated to Kelowna in 2012, after working for a few years with the Cree in Chisasibi, Quebec. He enjoys trail running, recreational hockey (entering a Kelowna team in the Vernon doctor hockey tournament for the past several years), and loves spending time with his wife and son. Dr. Podavin is looking forward to contributing to the continuing success of the KGH Physicians Society.
Member-at-Large, KGHPS Board of Directors
Dr. Meathrel moved to Kelowna in 2010 after fleeing her OB/GYN residency in Calgary. As the outgoing OB/GYN Department head at KGH, she initiated the Early Pregnancy Loss Clinic as well as a Strategic Planning endeavour to help shape the future of women’s health at KGH. She holds an Executive Education Certificate from UBC Sauder Business school. Dr. Meathrel has a busy practice where she can be found engaging in nerf gun warfare. She has two mostly delightful children and enjoys sleeping through the night - and Tabasco sauce. Dr. Meathrel is delighted to contribute to the KGH Physicians Society.
Director, Facility Engagement
Zeno Cescon is a seasoned senior healthcare administrator with 40+ years of experience in diagnostic imaging environments. He retired from Interior Health as the Executive Director of Diagnostic Imaging (DI) Services in May of 2017 having begun his career at Kelowna General Hospital as an X-ray technologist in the mid 1970’s. His leadership skills and experience working with physicians, coupled with his knowledge of Interior Health, will contribute to his success in this leadership role with the Society. Zeno looks forward to the challenges of working for the Society, reacquainting with former colleagues and meeting new ones. As well, Zeno would like to focus on improving patient care, assisting KGH physicians to navigate thru quality improvement projects all the while focusing on their health, wellness and work satisfaction.
Engagement Partner
Jillian Wong is an Engagement Partner with Doctors of BC. In her role, Jillian provides advice and recommendations to facility and community-based physicians regarding support for engagement, and supports physicians and health authorities in their efforts to improve collaboration towards goals consistent with the Triple Aim.
ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT/PROJECT LEAD
Helga Wendt has significant experience in supporting Board of Directors and Committees as well as event planning and facilitation. In her role as Administrative Assistant/Project Lead, Helga will provide assistance to the KGHPS Board of Directors and Working Group as well as support facility-based physicians in order to achieve the project goals of their facility engagement initiatives.
KGHPS Working Group, Chair, Department of Anesthesia
President, KGHPS Board of Directors, Department of Surgery
Department of Hospitalist Services
Department of Pediatrics
Past President, KGHPS Board of Directors, Department of Medical Imaging
KGH Residents; Representative
DEPARTMENT OF PEDIATRICS
DEPARTMENT OF ANAESTHESIA
Department of Laboratory Medicine
DEPARTMENT OF EMERGENCY MEDICINE
Department of Family Practice
DEPARTMENT OF OBSTETRICS & GYNECOLOGY
Member-at-Large, KGHPS Board of Directors, Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology
DEPARTMENT OF CARDIAC SCIENCES
DEPARTMENT OF SURGERY
Secretary-Treasurer, KGHPS Board of Directors, Department of Hospitalist Services