Dignitaries pose for a group photo in front of the Colleen Schneider Medical Centre in Penticton.

Image Credit: Keith Lacey, Local Journalism Initiative

The Colleen Schneider Medical Centre in Penticton officially opened its doors this summer — and it’s already being hailed as a model that could reshape how primary healthcare is delivered across British Columbia and Canada.

Built entirely through local donations, the community walk-in clinic has quickly gained attention from other regions in B.C. interested in replicating its collaborative team-based care model.

“This partnership model is one that will be studied and adopted across the province,” said Tracy St. Claire, executive director of the South Okanagan Similkameen Division of Family Practice. “We’re being asked to visit communities across B.C. to explain how we’re doing this. You can’t do it without fostering those community relationships.”

Located at 3115 Skaha Lake Road, the clinic opened in late June and held its grand opening on Thursday. Since then, the feedback has been overwhelmingly positive.

The clinic was created in response to a growing family doctor shortage in the region. In 2018, local healthcare leaders began discussing how to address the looming retirement of nearly half the region’s physicians within a decade.

“Our environment back then was that 50 per cent of doctors were going to retire,” said St. Claire. “The problem was that no one wanted to replace them. They were expected to do everything — run their own clinics, handle admin, and see patients constantly.”

Conversations with medical students confirmed the challenge: young practitioners weren’t interested in the traditional solo-practice model. They wanted to focus on medicine — not running a business.

The solution was clear. “We needed a team-based clinic with centralized support,” said St. Claire. “That’s what we’ve built.”

Initial steps included opening smaller team-based clinics starting in 2019, which helped attract new physicians and nurse practitioners to the area. Two years ago, the decision was made to build a larger, permanent community clinic.

The new centre was made possible by an extensive network of community partners, including the City of Penticton, Community Futures Okanagan Similkameen, the South Okanagan Similkameen Medical Foundation, and the Community Foundation of the South Okanagan Similkameen.

Greyback Construction completed the renovation of the building in less than seven months.

The clinic is now home to a team of physicians, nurse practitioners, and support staff working collaboratively. Administrative duties are handled by support partners, freeing up medical professionals to focus solely on patient care.

“To see so many providers working under one roof, offering care to patients who previously had nowhere to turn — it’s remarkable,” said St. Claire. “This is what the future of primary care should look like.”

Dr. John Surkan, a veteran physician who’s practiced in Penticton for more than 40 years, called the clinic one of the most significant developments in his career.

“Penticton is reversing the provincial trend,” he said. “The number of unattached patients continues to drop locally. Our goal is to eliminate that list altogether.”

Surkan said he has thoroughly enjoyed every shift at the new clinic over the past two months.

“It’s a wonderful environment -- supportive, dedicated, compassionate,” he said. “My co-workers are collegial and pleasant. It’s truly a privilege to work here.”

Surkan was involved in creating the Apple Plaza walk-in clinic years ago and credited the late Colleen Schneider — the new clinic’s namesake — for inspiring the centre.

“She was always cheerful, kind, and supportive. I’m certain she would be proud of this gift to the community,” he said.

He emphasized that the clinic wouldn’t exist without generous donations and tireless fundraising by local individuals and organizations.

“If this clinic wasn’t open, our emergency room would be overwhelmed,” he warned. “We’re seeing that across B.C. — walk-in clinics are closing at an alarming rate. Communities like Kelowna, Vernon, Kamloops, and Victoria are in crisis.”

The numbers are telling. In July 2024, the Apple Plaza clinic saw 950 patients. By July 2025, the Colleen Schneider clinic had treated 1,500 -- a 50% increase. In-person visits also jumped by over 70%.

“There’s a growing demand for care,” Surkan said.

Dr. Tim Phillips, board chair of the South Okanagan Healthcare Society, echoed those sentiments at the grand opening.

“This is more than just a building. It’s a symbol of what’s possible when a community comes together with a shared vision,” he said. “It’s a space that will serve thousands — whether through same-day walk-in care or ongoing primary healthcare.”

He also praised donors, saying their support has done more than build exam rooms.

“You’ve built hope, comfort, and the assurance that healthcare is here when people need it most,” said Phillips.

Kelly Hawes, executive director of the  South Okanagan Similkameen Health Care Society, applauded the clinic’s clinical and administrative teams.

“To our incredible team — physicians, nurse practitioners, allied health providers, and support staff — you are the heart of this place,” she said. “Your passion and teamwork define the patient experience.”

Hawes also credited Greyback Construction for completing the renovation efficiently and praised the donors and community members who made the project a reality.

“This clinic is a promise to our residents — that healthcare will be accessible, close to home, and delivered by people who know and care about this community,” she said.

Nurse practitioner Jessica Baskerville, who has worked in Penticton since 2019, called the clinic the “answer” to many of the systemic problems she’s witnessed firsthand.

“I worked in emergency care and saw how critical timely access to primary care is,” she said. “This clinic fosters sustainability for the entire system.”

She described the team-based model — with doctors, nurse practitioners, and allied health professionals working side by side — as a sustainable blueprint for the future.

“This is just the beginning of what’s possible when healthcare providers and community members come together,” she said. “I hope more communities across B.C. adopt this model.”

Ernst Schneider, the husband of Colleen, was brought to tears remembering his late wife, and commented how proud she would be to have her name attached to this medical clinic.  “Thank you all,” he said at the end of his brief speech.

The Colleen Schneider Medical Centre is open Monday to Friday, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.  Appointments can be made in person or by calling 778-622-7660.

— This article was originally published by the Penticton Herald

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