Meet Dr. McKenna
Dr. McKenna is a specialist in General Internal Medicine with a strong academic background, extensive clinical experience, and a deep commitment to patient care, education, and community wellness.
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She completed her Doctor of Medicine at the University of Western Ontario’s Schulich School of Medicine, where she was awarded the Gold Medal for the highest overall academic standing in her graduating class. During her medical training, she met her husband, Dr. Luke Harris, who practices Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery.
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Dr. McKenna went on to complete her residency in Internal Medicine at the University of Toronto, serving as Chief Medical Resident at St. Michael’s Hospital during her final year of training (2011–2012). She successfully completed her Internal Medicine specialty examinations in both Canada and the United States in 2012. Following residency, she worked as a Clinical Associate at St. Michael’s Hospital until 2013.
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In 2013, Dr. McKenna relocated with her family to North Bay, Ontario, where she spent 12 years practicing as a staff Internist at the North Bay Regional Health Centre, while also running a busy and rewarding community-based Internal Medicine practice. In September 2025, she and her family moved to Kelowna, British Columbia, where she continues her clinical work serving patients with complex medical needs.
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Dr. McKenna is deeply passionate about medical education and enjoys mentoring the next generation of physicians. She regularly welcomes medical students and residents into her clinic and is currently a Clinical Assistant Professor at the University of British Columbia (UBC). Her teaching focuses on developing strong clinical skills and diagnostic reasoning among learners at Kelowna General Hospital.
Community Involvement
Dr. McKenna is a dedicated advocate for health and wellness within the communities she serves. During her time in North Bay, she worked closely with community partners, including the North Bay Indigenous Hub, through ongoing consultation and collaboration. She was also a strong supporter of the North Bay Indigenous Friendship Centre Prenatal Program, reflecting her commitment to improving health outcomes for pregnant women and families.​The health and wellness of pregnant women and their families remains a priority for Dr. McKenna. She worked closely with the YMCA of Northeastern Ontario to develop low-barrier access for prenatal patients to health and fitness programming.​New to Kelowna, BC, she is working to develop networks to support maternal care with partners in Interior Health!
Awards and Recognition
Dr. McKenna has received numerous awards in recognition of her excellence in teaching and patient care. These include multiple “Best Community Internal Medicine Teacher” awards, as voted by NOSM students over more than six consecutive years, as well as the Jean Rochefort Teaching Award at North Bay Regional Health Centre in 2017.​She is especially proud of her “Golden Heart” Awards, which recognize outstanding compassion and dedication to patient care at NBRHC. In addition, she is the recipient of the Children’s Aid Society “Kindness Award” for her advocacy in support of the health and wellness of pregnant mothers and their families across the Nipissing District.​Dr. McKenna regards her greatest accomplishments to be her three children, who are avid skiers embracing the mountain lifestyle in British Columbia. Among her personal achievements, she proudly counts surviving the double-black diamond run her children convinced her to ski at Big White.