We Are IH: Kamloops physician championing better patient outcomes
Dr. Anders Ganstal enjoying his favourite winter activity - skiing
Name: Dr. Anders Ganstal (he/him/his)
Job Title: Emergency Physician, Clinical Assistant Professor for UBC Department of Emergency Medicine, Regional Medical Director for the British Columbia Emergency Health Services (BCEHS) Interior
Years of Service: 17
Worksite: Royal Inland Hospital
Community: Kamloops
Ancestral Territory: Tk'emlúps te Secwépemc
Favourite Quote/Advice to live by: Live for today, plan for tomorrow
With the ultimate goal of improving patient care, Dr. Anders Ganstal leverages his local and regional leadership roles to advance large-scale health-care initiatives. Referencing one of his favourite sports, Anders shares, “Quality improvement is similar to mountain biking. When you look up to the top from the bottom, it’s quite overwhelming. It’s one step at a time; that’s how you get to the top of the mountain.”
For this physician leader, it’s the contribution of every single person and each incremental step in the right direction that help push a change initiative forward.
Learn more about his journey with IH
Born in Vancouver with early years spent in Sweden, Anders started his IH journey as an emergency physician at Royal Inland Hospital (RIH) in Kamloops. He is currently the Regional Medical Director for British Columbia Emergency Health Services (BCEHS) Interior while continuing his work in the RIH Emergency Department.
Anders’ leadership journey started with a passion for helping others and working with people.
“I like to be part of the broader picture, as well as facilitating smaller changes as an individual physician through person-to-person interaction.”
When asked about one of the proudest moments in his career, Anders responds: “I can’t pinpoint one single experience. My proudest moments are working with all the phenomenal collaborators in IH, and that includes my colleagues.” Anders loves that he hears a lot of “yes” when he reaches out for help. That’s what motivated him to lead and innovate.
With support from the IH Physician Quality Improvement (PQI) program, Anders is currently leading a project to bring care closer to patients with heart attacks called the Collaborative Heart Attack Management Program (CHAMP). “What makes CHAMP unique is the scale of collaboration,” Anders proudly says.
Through PQI, he formed a dyadic leadership with Jonathan Deakin, BCEHS Paramedic Practice Leader. “Jon is a great person, and having his operational expertise is an instrumental drive for this program,” says Anders. As a collective commitment to patient care and quality improvement, CHAMP is now spreading beyond the Interior to other parts of B.C.
Anders typically recharges by spending time with his family and indulging in various hobbies. Outside work, he enjoys music and outdoor sports, such as mountain biking, skiing and surfing. Growing up as a Swedish Canadian, he is also a serious coffee fanatic.
Anders roasts coffee for friends, family and colleagues under the trade name “The Bald Bean.”
Anders nominates Dr. Todd Ring, Chief of Staff, Royal Inland Hospital to keep We Are IH going:
“Todd has been in leadership positions within IH for a long time, including Emergency Department Head, Emergency Services Network Medical Director and now Chief of Staff. He has always impressed me with his ability to lead and navigate the many health-care complexities and demands that have occurred over the past several years.” – Dr. Anders Ganstal
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