KelownaNow recently interviewed Dr. Ben Wiese of the Kelowna Skin Cancer Clinic, offering readers a chance to learn more about the physician behind the practice. The conversation highlighted his personal interests, community involvement and reflections on life and work.
Getting to Know Dr. Wiese
When asked who his favourite person is to spend time with, Dr. Wiese shared that it is his wife, Dr. Lize Wiese, whom he met during their first year of medical school. He describes her as calm, grounding and fun to be around. If he could travel anywhere at a moment’s notice, he would choose Wailea, Maui, to enjoy the warm weather and time on the beach with his sons.
His favourite local activity is wine tasting at Kelowna’s many wineries. When asked about alone time, he shared that a trail run in South East Kelowna is his ideal escape.
Personal Reflections
Dr. Wiese spoke about meaningful experiences from his medical training in South Africa, where he witnessed both hardship and generosity. One memorable moment involved a patient expressing gratitude in a simple but heartfelt way, a reminder of the impact that human connection can have in medicine.
He also reflected on childhood memories, including horseback riding through vineyards, and shared that he is a “true romantic” at heart. His bucket list includes visiting the Serengeti, scuba diving in the Red Sea or Great Barrier Reef and exploring the Amazon.
Community and Values
Dr. Wiese believes in supporting local organizations and contributes to groups such as the YMCA and the Okanagan Mental Health Services Society. He hopes to see improvements in housing affordability and support for those experiencing homelessness in Kelowna. He describes the city as a place with many amenities while still maintaining a community feel.
His guiding advice is simple: “Life is too short not to like it. If you find you are in a situation that you don’t like, change it.” He often reminds others not to rush through life: “Don’t try to sprint your marathon.”
About the Kelowna Skin Cancer Clinic
Dr. Ben Wiese is a primary care skin cancer physician based in Kelowna. He developed an interest in skin cancer during his training in South Africa and later pursued additional coursework in dermoscopy and skin cancer management through the Universities of Cardiff and Queensland. He is currently completing a Master’s degree in Skin Cancer at the University of Queensland.
Together with Dr. Lize Wiese, he opened the Kelowna Skin Cancer Clinic, where assessments and treatments are offered by physician referral. Both doctors also contribute to the community through occasional surgical assisting at Kelowna General Hospital and teaching opportunities with the UBC medical program.
Outside of work, the Wiese family enjoys an active lifestyle, including hiking, biking, water skiing and snow skiing. They also love to travel and spend time with friends. In April, Dr. Ben and Dr. Lize Wiese welcomed twin boys to their family.
