Best of 2024: Meet Kelowna’s joking doctor

A review of some of our best video features of 2024 based on total views.

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Updated: Dr. David Goldberg's joke book is now being used to raise funds for Prostate Cancer Foundation Canada. That cause has become close to his heart after he was diagnosed with prostate cancer. He said it was detected early and he is on his way to a complete recovery.

Original story:

Dr. David Goldberg takes his job seriously.

That’s a good thing considering he’s a physician and works as an assistant during orthopedic surgery.

But he’s also famed across the operating rooms of Kelowna General Hospital for giving his colleagues a chuckle. He was asked to tell jokes by the nurses during the short downtime while the patient is being cared for and the team is waiting for orthopedic cement to harden. It then became a regular thing.

“I collected the jokes over many years and when asked by the nurses to put them into a book I was happy to do so,” Goldberg told Kelowna10.

Hence, the new publication: “Jokes You’ll Love to Tell – The Art of the Extended Punchline,” a numbered compilation of quips, most of which run a few paragraphs, although there are some classic one-liners too.

Proceeds from the printed collection will go to the Kelowna General Hospital Foundation.

The 150-plus page soft back is filled with material he gleaned from the internet or other joke books and includes categories such as: Dad Jokes, Heaven and Hell, Marriage and, of course, Doctors and Nurses.

He added he’s proud none of the jokes are misogynistic and don’t make fun of anybody except for some golfers and lawyers. Who wouldn’t!

“I’d like the joke book to be used by people dealing with their stress and feeling more comfortable, and maybe as a way of relaxing after a difficult time in the hospital,” he said.

The book is already flying off the shelves in the KGH gift shop, and Goldberg’s daughter, who is a nurse, let him know patients are already enjoying it.

“I think it’s helpful not to take ourselves too seriously, and remember, laughter really is the best medicine,” he explained.

The book is also available at Mosaic Books in Kelowna.