Closer to Home: How Monthly Giving Helps Bring Specialized Care to Kamloops
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When Kristina and Daniel Grondzil became monthly donors to the Royal Inland Hospital Foundation in 2018, they were guided by a simple truth: healthcare touches everyone. Having been born and raised in Kamloops, and now raising their two children here, they believed that supporting our local hospital was one of the most meaningful ways to care for their community. They had no way of knowing that years later, one of their children would need access to a pediatric neurologist and that their monthly contributions would help bring that care closer to home.
Like many other parents, Kristina and Daniel’s world changed when their child received an unexpected diagnosis. Thankfully they had been referred to Dr. Breanna Clive, a pediatrician at RIH who became a pivotal figure in their care journey. She not only helped the Grondzils find answers but also went above and beyond to connect them with specialists across the province. These appointments meant travelling to Vernon, Kelowna and even Vancouver, often on short notice. With another child at home and full-time jobs, the need to travel outside of Kamloops added stress to a time that was already overwhelming and filled with uncertainty and endless questions.
Then one day, Dr. Clive delivered long-awaited news: a specialist they needed was coming to see patients right here in Kamloops. That specialist was Pediatric Neurologist, Dr. Torin Glass. For the Grondzils, it felt like a weight had been lifted. They no longer had to pack bags for an overnight stay, rearrange schedules, or worry about days off work.
The Grondzils explain, “Dr. Glass addressed so many of our unanswered questions. He listened with such empathy and explained things in a way no one else had. We genuinely felt heard and understood. We are truly thankful to him for taking time from his practice in the Lower Mainland, allowing us and many other families to access needed care without having to leave Kamloops.”
Dr. Glass, now runs an outreach clinic here in the Art & Norma James Pediatric Department at RIH. He plans to come 3-4 times a year, seeing as many patients as possible during each visit. From newborns to teens, his work spans a wide range of neurological conditions—from seizures, migraines, and brain injuries to developmental delays, neuromuscular disorders, and more. Dr. Glass also offers virtual follow-up appointments from his office in Burnaby, ensuring continuity of care for the children he sees in Kamloops. For families like the Grondzils, this hybrid model has been transformative.
When the opportunity arose to bring Dr. Glass to Kamloops, the RIH Foundation said yes immediately. We were able to do that thanks to the generosity of donors like the Grondzils. Monthly giving provides a dependable stream of funding that empowers the Foundation to respond quickly when new opportunities emerge, whether it’s investing in life-saving equipment, funding innovative programs, or helping gain access to specialists like Dr. Glass. The RIH Foundation has proudly supported every aspect of making this outreach clinic a reality, helping to fund Dr. Glass’ travel costs, expenses while visiting, and even administrative support. This behind-the-scenes investment ensures that when Dr. Glass arrives in Kamloops, he can focus entirely on what matters most: providing expert, compassionate care to children and families in our community.
“Kamloops has an excellent adult neurology group, but there was a clear gap in pediatric neurology,” Dr. Glass shares. “I knew families were travelling far to see me at my clinic in Burnaby. Being able to simplify that and offer care in their community means everything to me. It’s one less burden for families already carrying a lot. The gratitude I see in parents when they realize they don’t have to leave town is powerful.”
His connection to Kamloops runs deeper than medicine. A close friend and former medical school classmate, Orthopedic Surgeon, Dr. Jeffrey Poon, recently relocated here with his wife, Neurologist, Dr. Bessemer. In hearing about their positive experience working with RIH, Dr. Glass was inspired to explore the idea of offering his services here too. With family ties in the nearby rural community of Williams Lake, and a love for the outdoors, the opportunity felt like a perfect fit.
“I am honoured to be part of helping to improve access to care here,” says Dr. Glass. “Thank you to the generous donors of the RIH Foundation for making this possible.”
Monthly giving plays a critical role in the Foundation’s ability to respond to needs as they arise. It provides reliable, sustainable funding that allows us to act quickly, invest wisely, and plan for the future. It is because of donors like the Grondzil family that we can embrace new opportunities and bring specialized care closer to home. We are deeply grateful to every monthly donor who brings these possibilities to life. You are the quiet force behind some of the biggest changes in our hospital.