Skip to content

After 46 years in media, Moorhouse retires

John Moorhouse spent the last six years with the South Okanagan Similkameen Medical Foundation
23974762_web1_170920-PWN-t-Hospital-tower
Medical chief of staff Dr. Brad Raison of Penticton Regional Hospital and John Moorhouse of the Okanagan Similkameen Medical Foundation look over one of the rooms in the David E. Kampe Tower in 2017 while the tower was under construction. (Western News File)

After 40 years as a journalist and six years with the South Okanagan Similkameen Medical Foundation, John Moorhouse will finally be retiring at the end of January.

Throughout his long career working with the media, it was always the people that he met that he will miss.

“I’m going to miss working with everyone at the foundation, it’s like a family there,” said Moorhouse. “You get to know a lot of the donors too, that’s the part I’m going to miss. It was always an honour to get to know them better.

“It’s the people, whether it’s staff or donors, you miss the people.”

Moorhouse worked with the foundation as the development and communications officer, joining in 2015 after a career in print and radio journalism in the Penticton area.

READ MORE: Column: $200,000 donation to Penticton Regional Hospital more than ‘a little something’

He came to the position in part with familiarity with the executive director at the time, Janice Perrino, who Moorhouse had come to know during her time as mayor of Summerland and as hospital chair for the Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen.

“It was something that I thought I could get involved in, and I was not quite ready to retire but I was nearing retirement,” said Moorhouse. “I thought this would be a fantastic way to finish my working career.”

His career started in 1974, with the Summerland based radio station CKSP, before eventually going on to become the news director for the Great Valley Radio station in Penticton. From there, he joined the Penticton Herald in 1988, where he worked for 26 years.

“1974 would have been my first council meeting in Summerland that I attended,” said Moorhouse. “What I loved about covering the news is that it always changes. Every day is different.”

During his time with the foundation, Moorhouse helped them reach their $20 million fundraising goal for equipment for the Penticton Regional Hospital expansion, and recently the $3 million campaign for a second CT scanner for the hospital.

Personally, before the tower was built, I thought, after it’s built every time I’ll drive by I’ll take a little pride in having a small part to do with that,” said Moorhouse. “And it’s true.”

“For many in the community, John has almost become the face of our foundation. He will definitely be missed,” said Peter Steele, chair of the SOS Medical Foundation board in a release on Moorhouse’s retirement.

READ MORE: Overdose calls spike in 2020 across the Okanagan – Shuswap

Lissette Little will become the medical foundation’s new director of development, while videographer Peter Verge takes over Moorhouse’s communications role.

The SOS Medical Foundation raises funds for medical equipment and other forms of assistance at Interior Health facilities throughout the South Okanagan Similkameen.

To report a typo, email: editor@pentictonwesternnews.com.

<>

@PentictonNews
newstips@pentictonwesternnews.com

Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.



Brennan Phillips

About the Author: Brennan Phillips

Brennan was raised in the Okanagan and is thankful every day that he gets to live and work in one of the most beautiful places in Canada.
Read more