April 2024
Meet Dr. Janel Casey, a Clinical Associate Professor who serves as the Department Head of Psychiatry at Royal Columbian Hospital and as Regional Division Head for Adult Psychiatry for Fraser Health. She has been a member of the Department since 2012.
Can you tell us a little about yourself and your background?
I grew up in rural Nova Scotia and moved to Vancouver after high school to attend UBC. I completed my undergraduate degree, medical degree, and psychiatry residency all at UBC. I had such great experiences in Vancouver and the lower mainland that I decided to stay here forever!
What community do you work in?
I work at Royal Columbian Hospital and the New Westminster Mental Health Centre. I live in and serve the New Westminster and Tricities area.
What are the three things you enjoy most about the community where you do your clinical work?
It’s the perfect balance between urban and rural. We are a large department with many services but it still has a smaller community feel. I also love the people I work with – many of them have been with me since residency and I really consider them my second family.
What are your specialties and interests within psychiatry? What about those interests do you find particularly attractive?
I really wanted to be a general psychiatrist so that I could do a broad range of psychiatry. I like that I get to see a huge age range and psychopathology. I do inpatient psychiatry, general outpatient psychiatry, community mental health team, teaching, and administration. I am busy and never get bored!
What are some of your main goals as an instructor related to student learning?
I want to inspire and build confidence in learners so that they will become competent, happy, collegial physicians. One of the best parts of my job is watching medical students progress to residents and then to colleagues. I have so many amazing psychiatry colleagues now and I’m so proud of all of their accomplishments.
Who have been some inspirational or encouraging mentors along the way, personally or professionally?
I looked up to many of my UBC preceptors throughout my training and tried to absorb as much as possible. I still have some excellent mentors at RCH who continue to teach me and foster my professional development. Dr. Anson Koo is one such person who has been a mentor to me since I was a resident.
What is an important piece of advice you can share with junior colleagues and/or residents, or some considering a career in psychiatry?
Appreciate all the experiences you get in medical school and residency! Try to observe as many supervisors as possible, try different types of psychiatry work, see lots of patients, and ask lots of questions. You’ll actually miss the academic days and supervision once you graduate.