Kamloops is quickly becoming a top destination for American health-care professionals relocating to British Columbia, as the province continues to break down barriers and streamline the hiring process in a bid to bolster its public health-care system.

Since May 2025, job applications from U.S. health workers have more than doubled, surpassing 1,400 across B.C. More than 140 American doctors, nurses, nurse practitioners, and allied health professionals have already accepted job offers in communities across the province—including right here in Kamloops.

Among them is Dr. Olga Decker, a U.S.-trained physician who moved to Kamloops in July and now practices at Royal Inland Hospital. B.C. officials say her smooth relocation exemplifies the success of the province’s expedited credential recognition and targeted recruitment efforts.

“Our family made the move to Kamloops this summer and we already feel at home,” said Dr. Decker. “The process was smooth and supportive. Health Match BC and the College of Physicians and Surgeons of BC made it possible for me to start practising quickly. I’m grateful for the warm Canadian welcome and I’m excited to build a life here, while continuing to serve patients and provide the best medical care at Royal Inland Hospital.”

B.C.’s Health Minister Josie Osborne says this recent surge isn’t happening by accident. She points to a growing desire among U.S. healthcare workers to practise in a jurisdiction that supports universal access to care, evidence-based decision-making, and reproductive rights.

“There’s certainly a lot going down there in the United States,” said Osborne in an interview with Radio NL. “A lot of healthcare workers are looking to live and work in jurisdictions that have universal healthcare, support evidence-based medicine, and provide equitable access. And that’s exactly what our system in B.C. is built on.”

To capitalize on that sentiment, B.C. launched a highly focused recruitment campaign earlier this year targeting regions such as Washington, Oregon, and key cities in California. So far, nearly 3,000 U.S. healthcare professionals have expressed interest through the BC Health Careers website.

The campaign is part of B.C.’s broader “Team BC” strategy, which brings together health authorities, regulatory colleges, and local governments to recruit and retain more health-care workers. Since launching the initiative, the province has already registered 535 nurses, 104 nurse practitioners, and 29 physicians who trained in the U.S.

According to Osborne, one of the campaign’s strengths lies in helping match workers with communities that suit their professional and personal needs.

“For a physician living in California, for example, they can go to the website and get connected with a recruitment specialist. That person helps them look at available job postings, figure out what community might be the best fit, and even answer questions about schools or work for a spouse,” said Osborne.

That tailored approach is helping communities like Kamloops, where the demand for health-care workers remains high.

“We know that every new health-care professional who comes to B.C. is a win for the entire system,” Osborne said. “But a lot of people are specifically looking to raise families in smaller cities like Kamloops, where they can find strong community connections, great recreational amenities, and good schools.”

The Minister also emphasized that B.C.’s model provides a significant draw for American practitioners who are frustrated with the complexity and inequity of private insurance south of the border.

“For physicians who’ve been battling with private insurance companies, you don’t have to do that here,” Osborne said. “We have a single-payer model that makes it much easier to practise. And in the current U.S. climate—just look at the news today about Tylenol and autism—health professionals are hungry for a system rooted in science and reason.”

Osborne believes the key to sustaining this momentum is consistency—keeping the campaign visible, supporting incoming professionals, and letting word of mouth do the rest.

“Coverage like this really helps,” she noted. “We’re hearing from people who didn’t even see an ad, but were told by a friend or colleague about moving to B.C. That kind of organic reach is invaluable.”

For Kamloops, the success of Dr. Decker’s transition could be a sign of more to come. And with more health-care professionals expressing interest each month, the city may continue to benefit from B.C.’s commitment to growing its health-care workforce—one well-matched candidate at a time.

“Bringing more skilled professionals here means shorter wait times, stronger team-based care, and improved access to health services,” Osborne said. “That’s the goal—not just for Kamloops, but for communities all across the province.”