Sorrento & Area Community Health Centre Society Board

To contact the Sorrento and Area Community Health Centre Society:

Email: info@sorrentohealthcentre.com. This email address is not for patient inquiries.

This Society was born from the Sorrento and Area Community Association, which originally applied for the Nurse Practitioner position under the NP4BC program. The Society was incorporated on April 22, 2014 to provide operational and management services for the Health Centre. The Board is made up of volunteer Directors who provide governance. The Society is a registered Charitable Organization. The Society's AGM is in May.

Membership in the Society is a one time fee of $20. A membership form is available at the Health Centre reception or email the address at the top of this page to have a form sent to you.

The Health Centre is a partnership between Interior Health, who provides our Nurse Practitioners, as well as financial support, equipment, and supplies, and the Society. The Society is responsible for the Health Centre lease, utilities, staffing of our Medical Office Assistants (MOA's) along with payroll and insurance. Funding for the Centre comes from Interior Health, which covers most of the day to day operations of the Health Centre, donations, non Medical Services Plan fees charged for services, and fundraisers. The Society's funds are used for renovations, equipment, and supplies not provided by Interior Health.

Our Board is currently Trudy Vercholuk, President; Susan Dobson, Secretary; Judy Bartha, Treasurer; Celia Dyer, Past President; and Directors Dani Gratto, Debbie Harris, Sam Vercholuk, Ryan Anderson, Lori Levitt, Anneliese Rush, Sharon Kiener and Bob Mones.

We are adding Director biographies to this page. Biographies are listed in alphabetical order.

Ryan Anderson

Ryan is an individual with passion for community service. Ryan has over 10 years of service in the paid on call fire rescue world. During this time he has not only responded to local emergencies but he has also deployed around the province to support BC wildfire on some of the biggest wildfires in recent history including here at home in the Shuswap in 2023.

When not Fire Fighting and serving the community Ryan runs a small local business he started after moving to the Shuswap in 2019. Prior to that Ryan had a long career in the railway industry.

Ryan hopes to bring energy and fresh ideas to the SACHCS board to support its vision of providing medical services for all members of the community.

Judy Bartha

Judy is excited to join the board in the position of Treasurer elect. As a dedicated business owner with solid background in bookkeeping and banking, she brings a wealth of financial expertise to this role. Her professional experience has equipped her with the necessary skills to manage budgets, maintain accurate records and ensure financial transparency.

Being community minded is at the core of Judy's values. She believes in giving back and supporting local initiatives that enhance the well-being of our community. As a life and spiritual coach, she is passionate about personal growth and helping others navigate their journeys. This role aligns perfectly with my commitment to fostering a healthy and supportive environment for all.

Beyond her professional pursuits, she is a proud parent of three adult children and Nana to three wonderful grandchildren. she enjoys spending free time gardening, hiking and exploring avenues for personal development. She is eager to contribute her skills and experience to the Sorrento Health Centre, working collaboratively to support our community's health and wellness.

Susan Dobson

Susan was raised in the North Shuswap and moved to Sorrento in 1985. Her first career was in Long Term Care where she worked as an Activity Aid, Care Aid and Community Homemaker. For the next 29 years she worked for Okanagan Regional Library in Sorrento and Salmon Arm. Susan is the founding president of The Sorrento Preschool Society which brought a co-operative preschool to Sorrento in 1988. While raising her children with her husband, Susan was an active volunteer for school and for community sports. Susan has always had a strong interest in health care. Both of her daughters work in health care which has given her some added insights. She is looking forward to supporting Primary Care in Sorrento and Area by serving on the board for Sorrento and Area Community Health Centre Society.

Celia Dyer

Celia has lived in Sorrento since 1990. She recently retired from teaching and is proud to have spent her entire career at Jackson School in Salmon Arm. Her community involvement has included volunteering with the SAFE Society, participating on the United World Colleges scholarship selection committee, working as editor of the Trent University Alumni Magazine and serving as a Truth and Reconciliation Ally for School District 83. Currently, she acts as secretary for the Shuswap Singers. Retirement has given her time to appreciate the extent, diversity and importance of local volunteerism. It is a privilege to serve on the Board of SACHCS and to be involved in the promotion of good health in our community.

Debbie Harris

Debbie has had a home in the Shuswap since 2010. she moved her permanently in 2017 from the lower mainland. Debbie worked as an officer manager paralegal for a law firm for 40 years. she is the mother of 2 children. She has 4 grandchildren and awaiting the arrival of a 5th.

Debbie is no stranger to non profit organizations she is the current is the Vice President to the Sorrento Foodbank.

In her leisure time she enjoys traveling, reading, walking, yoga and relaxing on the lake.

Sharon Kiener

Sharon moved to the Shuswap in 2022, from Surrey and has never looked back. Being partially retired she is active with volunteering and is a strong believer in staying active and fit. Sharon works part time as a CDA at Dr Lows dental practice in Sorrento and enjoys meeting people from the community. She believes that being part of the Sorrento Community Health Centre she can bring her years of experience to the table and looks forward to working with the directors of the clinic.

Lori Levitt

Born and raised in a Edmonton, Alberta, Lori is a retired educator and administrator with a high level of expertise and personal commitment to making an impact in the field of Education. She has a Bachelor of Education degree from the University of Alberta as well as a Master of Arts degree majoring in Educational Psychology and Special Education from UBC. As a junior high school teacher and Educational Psychologist, she has been an ambitious and accomplished professional with extensive experience with English grammar and structure as well as strong communication, research and organizational skills. Writing and reviewing policies and procedures is one of her strengths.

With a community-minded work ethic, some of her personal social activities include: two book clubs, wine club, music appreciation, participation in exercise classes, animal welfare, attending and supporting local social events.

Anneliese Rush

Having lived all over Canada, Anneliese now resides in Blind Bay, living in the Shuswap since 2022. She is also a volunteer for the LASS One to One reading program at Sorrento Elementary School. Anneliese started a book club, wine education club and a walking/snowshoeing club in Blind Bay. Retired from retail management, the fashion and wine industry, as well as being a real estate agent she likes giving back to the community.

Sam Vercholuk

Sam was born and raised in Alberta and has two adult daughters. He moved to the Shuswap in 2015 with his wife Trudy. He worked in the oilfield for 31 years. He retired as an oilfield consultant in 2020. He currently runs a mini storage and property management business in Sorrento. he also details boats and cars. His current passion is golf and enjoys a membership at Talking Rock. when not golfing, he spends his social time riding his Harley, boating and socializing with friends.

Sam is a volunteer with the Salmon Arm and South Shuswap Friends of the Library. He coordinates the moving of stock for the Book Sales, the proceeds of which support the library reading programs. Sam joined the Board in 2024 and uses his considerable practical experience to maintain the Health Centre for the benefit of the staff and community.

Trudy Vercholuk

Trudy emigrated to Canada in 2010 following her marriage to Sam. She has lived in Blind Bay since 2015. They are the owners of the Sorrento mini storage. Trudy is active in the garden, book and knitting clubs at the South Shuswap Library. Her love of reading led her to become a volunteer Tutor for the LASS One to One reading program at Sorrento Elementary School and she currently coordinates the school’s winter program. In 2020 Trudy volunteered to become the Chairperson of the Salmon Arm and South Shuswap Friends of the Library. The Friends hold Book Sales and raise funds to support the reading programs, craft activities and guest speakers at both libraries. Trudy joined the Board as a Director in May 2024. As a patient of the clinic, she is interested in supporting the Nurse Practitioners and Medical Office Assistants and helping them maintain the high standard of primary care provided to our community.