Dr. Kristin Sivertz

About Dr. Kristin Sivertz

Dr. Kristin Shelley Sivertz, Professor in the Department of Psychiatry, passed away in October 2011. Dr. Sivertz had an illustrious career as a psychiatrist, medical educator and senior administrator with the UBC Faculty of Medicine for over 25 years, especially within her chosen field of the psychopharmacology of pregnancy-related psychiatric illness and gender issues in psychopharmacology. She continued to live a full life after her diagnosis with ovarian cancer in February 2009 until her death.

Dr. Sivertz was born to Christian and Norma Sivertz on June 23, 1951 in London, Ontario. She was the baby of the family. She received her MD from McMaster University. She completed a paediatric internship at McMaster, a residency in psychiatry at UBC and obtained her FRCPC in 1982. She was appointed as a Clinical Instructor in the Department of Psychiatry at UBC in 1984 and rose to Clinical Professor in 1998. Dr. Sivertz had a particular interest in the psychopharmacology of pregnancy-related psychiatric illness and gender issues in psychopharmacology.

From 1996-2002, she was the Co-Director (with Dr. Kam Rungta) of the Psychiatry Residency Program, and in 2002 she and Dr. Rungta were appointed as Co-Associate Deans of the UBC Postgraduate Medical Education (PME) program.

Dr. Sivertz held a number of administrative roles at St. Paul’s Hospital and was Head of the Department of Psychiatry of Providence Health Care. She was also a member of the Examining Board of the Royal College of Physicians & Surgeons in Psychiatry.

Dr. Sivertz was recognized for a number of achievements. Of special significance is the expert management she and Dr. Rungta provided to the expansion and geographic distribution of the PME program. This involved the creation of a strategic plan, the successful engagement of the BC Ministry of Health Services to provide stable and sustainable financial resources, and effective collaboration with the Undergraduate Medical Program.

Dr. Sivertz was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in February 2009. Despite this diagnosis, she continued to live a full life. She traveled to India with her husband, and took many trips to Australia to visit their sons and their families. She was passionate about being a grandmother and had a deep and special connection with her grandchildren. She is sadly missed by her family, friends, colleagues and the many others whose lives she touched.

The impact of your support

Your gift will honour Kris’ memory and the profound impact she has had on the lives of those around her, as well as provide much-needed financial support for students in the Faculty of Medicine. Further information about Kris’ memorial fund will be available at a later time once the details have been finalized.

Messages of Remembrance

All Messages

Dr Sivertz helped me in 1987 prior to the birth of my daughter and afterwards. I had a difficult experience with my first birth, and subsequently poor psychiatry advice from my GP at that time. With this birth, what a difference! She put me on a medication so I could breastfeed. It was the most wonderful experience! I was just writing a letter to my GP now, who was a friend of hers, as he is retiring and highlighting experiences we had over 40 years. His referral to Dr Sivertz is one of those. I'm sorry I did not know about her death earlier, or I would have writen something then.

Sandra Hanawalt, patient at BCWH
I owe so much to Dr. Sivertz. Her compassion and expert knowledge were truly life-saving.

Laurie, patient
Kristin Sivertz was without doubt the most compassionate Doctor i have ever known. I must take my hat off to her, she truly made my experience with psychiatry a bearable and even hopeful one. When i read the obituary i was very shocked that she was gone. She will be missed by all. Everyone she came in contact with, she touched. Bye Kris, i hope we meet again. Shelley Jahrig

Shelley Jahrig, A Patient of hers.
I had the privilege of taking care of Kris's 2 children for 3 yrs. When i first met Kris she was pregnant with David and patrick was 3. She was a phenomenal lady to work for, I never ever felt like her "employee" i always felt like her friend and was included in all family gatherings. I loved her dearly and will miss her a lot

Margaret MacMillan, I was her nanny
I learned of the very sad news of Kristin's death, from Dr. Alfred Jay. Kristin had been a summer student with us in Biophysics at Western, around the time of 1966, working on red blood cell mechanics. Kristin's summer report which I had read recently when tidying up old files, was a model of clarity. She wrote excellent scientific English, and I'm delighted that her career was so rewarding in clinical medicine and leadership. She came by the lab once that I remember, when in an early part of her medical training. I recall too, that she had studied ballet, and had a lovely bouncy way of moving. The lab occasionally played golf on Wed afternoons, and on one occasion she joined Alfred and me on the Thames Valley course. We weren't very good, and still are not much better. And I don't know if Kristin ever played as a way to get a break from work. Reading about her wonderful career was a special treat, but certainly even more sad to know that she has passed away. My wife, Catherine, and I want to convey our condolences and best wishes to Kristin's family. As an aside, I continued on at Western after my PhD, and later became chair in '84, for 17 years, and am mostly retired at the present time. Sincerely, Peter Canham

Peter B Canham, Summer student supervisor, ~1966
I went to high school with Kristin and felt fortunate to have her as a friend. I will always remember her wonderful laugh. Even though we lost contact with each other she has always been one of the people who I consider has enriched my life just by knowing her..

Georgia Carol Pearce, friend
I met her in Hamilton Ont. In 1975. I loved her sensitivity and empathy for people like me as a becomer in Canada. I lived close to them Dr W.Abbot and Kris in Hamilton. She helped me a lot to get know Canadian life and the English language. I think she had gotten her degree in Psychology by that time.. I was looking to be in touch with her for last 5 years. . I am so sad to know she is not anymore with us.. She seemed to me a great lady looking to improve her knowledge always. Oh it's a shock to me. Kisses *Kris and some day will meet again. 06 2020

Benjamin Malagnoni, Mexican friend

Anonymous Donation
Craig Miller