VJH Foundation Celebrates Historic Department Naming at Vernon Jubilee Hospital
VERNON, BC — VJH Foundation is celebrating a historic milestone with the naming of The Kurt & Jutta Knuever Ultrasound Department at Vernon Jubilee Hospital, made possible by a transformational $1.75 million gift from the Knuever family. It is the first hospital department to be named through a philanthropic gift in VJH Foundation’s history.
Kurt and Jutta Knuever have long been known for their generosity, community spirit and commitment to helping others. They built their lives and their business with a strong sense of family and a deep pride in what they accomplished together. After founding tekmar Control Systems in Essen, Germany, they established North American operations in Vernon in 1980 and helped build a successful family business that became a respected local employer. Throughout their lives, Kurt and Jutta have shared their time and resources generously, supporting many charitable causes and quietly helping others in their community.
“Having our family name connected to Vernon Jubilee Hospital is an honour, and we are proud to support something that will make a difference to families in our community for many years to come. We are grateful for what our family has accomplished and deeply appreciative to be able to give back in this way,” says Jutta Knuever.
““Having our family name connected to Vernon Jubilee Hospital is an honour, and we are proud to support something that will make a difference to families in our community for many years to come. We are grateful for what our family has accomplished and deeply appreciative to be able to give back in this way.” ”
“This is a truly historic milestone moment for our Foundation and our region, and we couldn’t be more grateful,” says Kate McBrearty, executive director of VJH Foundation. “Projects such as our $6.4 million investment in creating a new Ultrasound department require visionary commitment from community leaders to provide a world-class environment.”
In addition to the $1.75 million donation, the Knuevers gave a $250,000 matching gift during VJH Foundation’s Light A Bulb in 2024, which sparked an inspirational response from the community of over $1 million for the Ultrasound expansion project.
More patients than ever rely on ultrasound for timely answers and care. By adding four new ultrasound rooms and increasing capacity by more than 5,000 scans annually, the VJH Ultrasound expansion will help shorten wait times, improve access, and ensure patients receive diagnoses and treatment sooner, giving patients and families greater peace of mind closer to home.
“Our community will soon have access to a state-of-the-art regional Ultrasound department designed to meet the growing demand for diagnostic imaging,” says Kate McBrearty, “This progress is only possible because of visionary donors like the Knuevers, who understand that timely access to diagnostic services leads to better care and better outcomes for patients.”
Kurt and Jutta Knuever's $1.75 million gift will help expand ultrasound services at Vernon Jubilee Hospital.