We Are IH: Kamloops psychiatrist advocates for senior patients

November 24, 2022

Dr. Carol Ward (left) and her husband, Dr. Paul Dagg at the American College of Psychiatry meeting in Bonita Springs, FL.

Name: Dr. Carol Ward (she/her/hers)
Job Title: Geriatric psychiatrist
Years of Service: 17
Worksite: Royal Inland Hospital
Community: Kamloops
Ancestral Territory: Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc
Advice to live by: Be curious.

Personal stories hold immaculate power, especially in their ability to connect people in the most authentic and meaningful way. Because of this reason, Dr. Carol Ward, a geriatric psychiatrist, ensures that understanding personal stories become the cornerstone of a patient’s treatment plan.

Carol is most known for her work in caring for older adult patients living with dementia - whom she shares a special and natural connection with. Growing up in the Atlantic Provinces, Carol recalls having friends who were extraordinarily funny and resilient seniors.

In this Story…

Learn more about her journey with IH

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Learn more about her journey with IH

Dr. Carol Ward

Her early connection with older folks has been present since she was very young and still continues to this day, influencing her career direction, approach to treatment and innovation in health care. Nonetheless, Carol reveals that her biggest guiding light has always been her mom and her family.

"My mom has had Alzheimer's disease since 1998. […] Her life journey and our family journey with Alzheimer's disease have paralleled almost my entire career in geriatric psychiatry," Carol said.

"She's gone through all of the challenges that horrible illness brings. But I think that it has been kind of a guiding light for me, especially when I think about families and communicating with families."

Connected with patients and families in this special way, Carol is reminded of the importance of being the advocate, the witness and helping others know their loved ones.

A man (left) and woman in blue shirts and yoga pants standing on one leg with the other leg at a right-angle from the standing leg, with their backs to the camera on a balcony with mountains in the background. — Drs. Dagg and Ward doing yoga outdoors in Kamloops during the COVID pandemic.

Now a sought-after speaker at medical education series and events, Carol always anchors patient stories and examples into her presentation of academic content. She begins every presentation by highlighting people's history—their social, trauma, and cultural history and meaningful activities. According to Carol, this routine has been an incredible facilitator for knowledge transition.

“I think doing so resonates with people. I think people can understand. Then when you start to do a deeper dive into more academic matters, you have a connection with how it presents in the real world.”

After more than 30 years of service, Carol continues to write more exciting chapters to her life story. She looks forward to taking a sabbatical to refresh and attempt thrilling challenges, one of which is competing in ballroom dancing with her husband, Dr. Paul Dagg.

Dr. Carol Ward recently received the UBC Faculty of Medicine Award for Distinguished Service to Continuing Medical Education / Continuing Professional Development (CME/CPD).

She was recognized for leading the implementation of P.I.E.C.E.S.™ in British Columbia, the development of the BC BPSD Algorithm, and involvement and leadership in various CME/CPD activities.