Posted on: March 8, 2023
Family North Island Hospital Campbell River
Dr. Jennifer Kask grew up on a small island just off Quadra Island and traveled by boat every day to and from school and sports in Campbell River. While there, she played and coached a number of sports, and volunteered in the summers at various camps. After finishing her undergraduate degree, she went to UBC for medical school, and relocated to Prince George in 2001-2005 for her residency and first two years in practice. She returned home to Campbell River in 2005 and started performing family practice locums in the community and has continued in the role ever since.
Why did you go into the field of medicine?
I have a family member with a health issue, and visits to the hospital (also by boat) were not an unusual thing. My mother is quite squeamish, so from a young age I was tasked with some of the medical care and dressing changes. I found it really interesting and was curious if this was something I could pursue as a career.
Is there any particular accomplishment that you are most proud of with regards to your work?
I am always proud of how our teams in Campbell River can pull together to make things happen. In 2015, I was part of a team of family physicians who established a maternity clinic in the hospital. 14,876 visits later, we continue to support culturally-safe, family-centered care.
How do you manage work/life balance?
I tend to throw myself into things with abandon and don't pace myself well; however, I was fortunate to recognize this when my three children were quite young and chose to continue doing locums. Being a locum has given me the unique opportunity to carve out time for my family.
We were able to spend a season in New Zealand where I worked over our winter (their summer.) It was so amazing that we did the same thing a couple of years later. I have been able to plan ahead and schedule my work so that we have been able to enjoy some great hiking, sailing and camping trips, some of which turned into more extended travel - a month in Europe, a month in China and Tibet. There are certainly challenges with locum work (or I suppose more people would do it) but it has allowed me to either be on or off.
What is your favourite way to decompress after a busy day of work?
I enjoy playing in the local women's hockey league and I also like to walk and talk with friends or my husband.
What does Canadian Women's Physician Day mean to you?
This is a day to celebrate great women who have gone before and to empower those coming into medicine now.