Dear Department members,
It is with profound sadness that we share the news of the passing of Dr. Sylvie Argouarch, Clinical Instructor in the UBC Department of Psychiatry, on August 2, 2025, following a tragic accident in Victoria.
Dr. Argouarch completed her residency in psychiatry at Dalhousie University in 1992, followed by a Fellowship in Geriatric Psychiatry at UBC in 1996 through St. Vincent’s Hospital. Since that time, she had been practicing as a geriatric psychiatrist with the Vancouver Island Health Authority at Royal Jubilee Hospital. In addition to her clinical work, she taught in the Island Medical Program and contributed to the education of MD undergraduate students, Royal College trainees, Family Practice Residents, Royal College residents, and other health professionals. She formally joined the Department as a Clinical Instructor in 2012.
We all remember Sylvie as a thoughtful and inspirational colleague who provided care with empathy and determination while striving to ensure dignity and comfort for the most vulnerable individuals. She was also known for her vitality and love of the outdoors, often cycling to her clinical sites in all kinds of weather.
Dr. Argouarch will be deeply missed by all who had the privilege of working alongside her, teaching and learning with her, and witnessing the lasting impact of her commitment to geriatric psychiatry.
On behalf of the UBC Department of Psychiatry, we extend our sincerest condolences to Dr. Argouarch’s family, friends, colleagues, and learners during this time of great loss.
If you wish to read more about her life or view details of the memorial service to be held on August 20 in Victoria, please view the obituary shared by her family. An in memoriam has also been shared by Island Health.
Sincerely,
Dr. Lakshmi N. Yatham, MBBS, FRCPC, MRCPsych (UK), MBA (Exec)
Professor and Head, UBC Department of Psychiatry
Director, Institute of Mental Health, UBC
Regional Head and Program Medical Director, VCH/PHC
The UBC Department of Psychiatry Administration Office respectfully acknowledges the land on which we live, work and play is the traditional, ancestral, and unceded territories of the Coast Salish Peoples, the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish), and Səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-waututh).