About the Program
The Cariboo Living Healthcare Landing Program is a community-based recruitment and retention initiative serving Williams Lake and 100 Mile House.
We support physicians, medical specialists, and allied healthcare professionals through coordinated housing, practical hospitality, and community integration. While recruitment pathways vary, our focus is on strengthening long-term retention and regional stability.
By addressing housing barriers and early site experience, the program strengthens professional stability and continuity of care in the communities we serve. We operate year-round, supporting both visiting locums and professionals relocating permanently to the region.
Our Evolution
The Healthcare Landing Program originated in 2021 following a Request for Proposal issued by the Cariboo Chilcotin Regional Hospital District (CCRHD) to address growing healthcare recruitment and retention challenges across the Central and South Cariboo.
The City of Williams Lakeā€™s Economic Development Office submitted the successful proposal and was awarded the initial three-year contract, funded through the CCRHD. The pilot framework focused on housing support, travel incentives, and coordinated community welcomes for visiting medical professionals.
In 2022, Melissa LaPointe was contracted to develop and operationalize the program. Over the past several years, the program has expanded significantly in both scale and structure. Housing capacity has grown beyond the original pilot framework, formal partnerships have been established with healthcare organizations and regional stakeholders, and a team-based delivery model now supports year-round operations.Ā
Today, the Cariboo Living Healthcare Landing Program functions as regional workforce infrastructure ā€” supporting both recruitment and long-term retention in rural healthcare. As community needs continue to evolve, the program continues to strengthen collaboration, refine systems, and build sustainable support structures that serve healthcare professionals.
Program Leadership
The Cariboo Living Healthcare Landing Program is led by Melissa LaPointe, Executive Director. Melissaā€™s professional background spans occupational therapy and adult education. Her approach to program development combines evidence-informed practice with practical implementation ā€” grounded in the realities of rural healthcare.
In 2022, Melissa was contracted to develop, operationalize, and lead the Healthcare Landing Program. Since its establishment, she has overseen its evolution into a coordinated, multi-community model supporting physicians, medical specialists, and allied health professionals relocating to the region.
Under her leadership, the program has expanded in scope and structure while maintaining a strong focus on relationship-based support and long-term retention.
Looking Ahead
Rural healthcare recruitment and retention continues to evolve across British Columbia. As workforce models shift and community needs change, the Cariboo Living Healthcare Landing Program remains focused on strengthening the foundational elements that support long-term stability: housing access, coordinated transition support, and meaningful community integration.
Moving forward, the program will continue refining its systems, deepening regional partnerships, and building sustainable capacity to support both healthcare professionals and the communities they serve.
Our commitment remains steady ā€” to ensure that those who choose to practice in Williams Lake and 100 Mile House feel welcomed, supported, and positioned to stay.
About the Program
The Cariboo Living Healthcare Landing Program is a community-based recruitment and retention initiative serving Williams Lake and 100 Mile House.
We support physicians, medical specialists, and allied healthcare professionals through coordinated housing, practical hospitality, and community integration.
While recruitment pathways vary, our focus is on long-term retention and regional stability.
By addressing housing barriers and early site experience, the program strengthens professional stability and continuity of care in the communities we serve.
We operate year-round, supporting both visiting locums and professionals relocating permanently to the region.
Our Evolution
The Healthcare Landing Program began in 2021 following a Request for Proposal issued by the Cariboo Chilcotin Regional Hospital District (CCRHD) to address recruitment and retention challenges in the Central and South Cariboo.
The City of Williams Lakeā€™s Economic Development Office submitted the successful proposal and was awarded the initial three-year contract. The pilot focused on housing, travel incentives, and coordinated community welcoming for visiting professionals.
In 2022, Melissa LaPointe was contracted to develop and operationalize the program.
Since then, the program has expanded in both scale and structure. Housing capacity has grown beyond the original framework, regional partnerships have strengthened, and a team-based delivery model now supports year-round operations.
Today, the program functions as regional workforce infrastructure, supporting both recruitment and long-term retention in rural healthcare.
Program Leadership
The Cariboo Living Healthcare Landing Program is led by Melissa LaPointe, Executive Director.
With a background in occupational therapy and adult education, Melissa brings an evidence-informed and practical approach to program development, grounded in the realities of rural healthcare.
In 2022, she was contracted to develop and operationalize the program. Since then, she has guided its evolution into a coordinated, multi-community model supporting healthcare professionals relocating to the region.
The program continues to expand under her leadership, with a sustained focus on relationship-based support and long-term retention.
Looking Ahead
Rural healthcare recruitment and retention continue to evolve across British Columbia. As workforce models shift, the program remains focused on the foundations of long-term stability: housing access, coordinated transition support, and meaningful community integration.
We will continue refining systems, strengthening partnerships, and building sustainable capacity across the region.
Our commitment is steady ā€” ensuring that healthcare professionals who choose to practice here feel welcomed, supported, and positioned to stay.
