Katherine MANDERS

I was a patient of Dr. Manders from the ages of 19 to 21. I had already established that I wanted to be a child and adolescent psychiatrist, and Dr. Manders not only fostered that interest by constantly having me pull out her CPS book to answer my academic questions about medications, but removed any fear I had about pursuing medicine through her unwavering faith that I would be successful. When I was going through the process of being diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis and experiencing decreased function in my hands, having such an incredible doctor with a chronic illness provided me with the hope that I needed to continue pursuing my career goals. It also showed me that my illness could be a strength. I wrote about Dr. Manders in my medical school application essay in the months after she died, and was accepted exactly like she said I would be. While my journey through medical school has been drawn out by further health issues, I'm currently in the process of writing essays as I apply to psychiatry programs across the country. One line that I used in my medical school application that remains true today, is that the care that Dr. Manders provided to me is the gold standard against which I will measure myself in the care that I provide to my patients.

While I'm sure her family still feels her loss greatly, I hope that they can find some comfort in knowing that her presence continues to be felt in my life, and in the field of psychiatry.

You shine on in all your friends, colleagues and patients, who will always remember.
Barbara Matthews

My beloved friend - it is beautiful to hear the words of patients and their experience of your care, your knowledge, your encouragement, and your compassion.

I watched you grow as a person and as a clinician and loved learning from you as you went through the residency!
I miss you Katie. But I sense your energy -so very close by.

Thank you to your mom for raising such a beautiful person and thank you to Karen Hunter, who organized a lovely celebration of life for Katie today. Beautiful music, love, and tributes. Hope you enjoyed it from your vantage point Katie.
Love you my angel friend. ❤

Sending warm thoughts and prayers.I enjoyed being apart of Katie's life, she is a true inspiration to me,I will miss her dearly. Peace and love Nicole White

Dear Carol,

My deepest condolences on Katie's passing. I was so fortunate to have gotten to know Katie when she worked with my son Jon prior to her acceptance into medical school. I knew that Katie would make a brilliant physician. Her ability to connect while focusing on the needs of our son demonstrated that many would benefit from ability and knowledge in the future. May you take some comfort that she helped so many.

I never met Katie but spoke often on the phone with her as her staffing cordinator with Bayshore. Only found out today Feb 20th of her passing. She was always very patient and plesant 9n the other end of phone. Condolences to the family.

A great loss. I will always be thankful for her assistance and insight in a challenging time.

Katie was a memorable math student of mine when she was in high school. She was always dedicated to her studies and had a quick sense of humour. I followed her future career with pleasure, seeing her overcome difficulties with amazing courage and grace. She was given a "Special Achievement" award for graduates a number of years ago, and was an inspiration to the next generation of school girls who were privileged to hear that with determination one can follow one's dreams no matter what. She went too young...
Lynne Massel

From your other family in Calgary, Pat, Gerry, Victoria and Chris. RIP.

Katie,
I just want to tell you that I love you hardly. I will miss your kind heart and your warm hugs. I learned a lot from you and you mean a lot for me. I will not stop prying for you.
Your patient ,
Jameela

Dr. Manders helped save my life in the darkest time I was going through. I looked forward to my visits with her, and always left feeling more hopeful than ever that things were going to be ok. She was so caring, kind and generous with her time. I always admired her tenacity, strength, and spirit. I will forever be grateful to her, and feel so very lucky to have known her. I will miss you, Dr. Manders. Rest easy.

Heart felt condolences to the entire family. May you find comfort in knowing how many lives Katherine touched.Rest in paradise Dr. Manders.
Manitoba Chapter of Muscular Dystrophy

Hi I had the pleasure of working with Katie at the IWK. I will keep her in my prayers. Rest in peace my beautiful friend.

No words to express the sadness of your loss. Wishing you Carol that your wonderful memories of Katie will keep you strong.

Heartfelt condolences to Dr. Mander's family, friends, and loved ones.

Dear Dr. Manders,

It has been a true honour and privilege to be in your care over the past 2.5 years. You made such a huge impact to my life and supported me with tremendous compassion through my loss and illness. You were a true healer and the most authentic and inspiring person I have known. Your reach was not only to your patients but to their loved ones and families too, as compassion and healing have a ripple effect. I can only imagine how many people you've inspired through your all too short journey here. Thank you so much for all of your gifts to me, positivity, hope, understanding, kindness, strength and humour. I have learned so much from you and I deeply appreciate all of what you helped me understand was possible.

You will always be my "Wise Flower".

With eternal gratitude and love,

Our loving thoughts are with all your family and friends. It was a real pleasure knowing Katie and her Mum during the Medical School days in Kingston. We will always remember and be inspired. Barbara and John Matthews.

I met Katie when I worked at the NSH (Nova Scotia Hospital) the first thing I noticed was how slick she was on that scooter of hers, she could park it on a dime, and there was no place in the hospital she couldn't navigate. I thought she set a tremendous example. She didn't let obstacles stand in her way. She made life count. She was a wonderful example to the patients and the staff. I loved her tenacious spirit. We need more Katie's in the world. So sad to hear of her passing.

Dr. Manders was an incredible person, and she helped me change my life in ways I never thought possible. I am forever grateful to her.

Katie was inspiring to all. I originally met her when she was a fifth year resident and I was a first year resident. She was always positive and upbeat and provided excellent mentoring advice.

I am a staff member at the high school Katie attended. Katie was then, and continued to be, an inspiration with her resilience, determination, kindness and so many special qualities. She had a presence; a beauty of spirit that was apparent to everyone around her. My sincerest condolences to her family.

Katie was a force of nature, a great colleague on the Board of MDC who brought wisdom and humour to our work. To all who mourn her, my deepest sympathy.

It was a pleasure to have know and cared for you the short time I did. You have impacted my life in a positive way. I thank you for all the early morning chats we had. Fond memories of you and your caring heart, and sharing some of your life's stories with me.It meant so much to me.See you on the other side my friend.

What an amazing individual. I feel so privileged and honoured to have known her and we are all going to terribly miss her.

I met Katie through the Muscular Dystrophy group at Camp Brigadoon this summer. She was a very engaging and interesting person who really loved life. That was clear within the first few minutes. I wish I had gotten to know her earlier. Condolences to her family and friends. She touched many people and will be missed by many.

Katie, we will miss your spirit and tenacity. Fly high, angel.

Katie was a remarkable person even as a middle school student, which is how I met her initially. I was her Grade 8 science teacher. Katie knew back then that she wanted to study medicine--an oft-cited goal of many young people that age. I watched her achieve her goal with respect and admiration and delighted in her many fb travel posts. Katie had a passion for life, which she pursued with energy, focus, and good humour.

Such a loss to this world. Katie's light will shine on in the legacy of kindness, determination, and passion that defined her in life and that she now leaves with us. We'll miss you terribly, Katie, but take comfort in the joy of your memory.

I was so sorry to hear about Dr.Manders passing.She will be missed by her many friends and patients here in Halifax. RIP ...my condolences to her family...

This candle should shine bright, like you always did Princess Katie! We will miss you, but we will have you forever in our hearts!

Katie,

It was an honor and a privilege to have met you. Now more than ever I am thankful that we were able to work together to help you feel top notch for the skating competition.
Know that one day you'll see Tubby and Squeaky again and for now I hope that you are skating up a storm Love and light to Katie's family and friends.

I worked with Katie at the IWK on 4South, several years ago. I was in awe of her as soon as I met her. Her courage and strength were overwhelming and, after having known her, I truly feel that she helped me see through a new lens in life.
I'm so saddened for your loss and the great loss she will be to the health care profession.

Katie was a warm, outgoing, loving person. Her perseverance in the face of adversity showed the strength of her character and her personality, the warmth in her heart. She will be greatly missed.

Dr. Katie Manders was by far one of the best physicians I have ever had and I have had a lot of them. Seeing her almost weekly for the past 2 and a half years, she was consistently a beacon of pure hope in my life and I always left her office feeling assured that everything would be okay. She always had a plan and not only believed herself that I could achieve whatever I wanted to achieve, but more importantly she made ME believe, that even though I live with a chronic illness, I can achieve whatever I want to achieve. She really understood what living with a chronic illness is like.
People that live with chronic illness establish connections with their physicians that are very unique. I will miss Dr. Manders very very dearly and I hope that she rests in peace. My condolences go out to her family.

Sending my condolences to the family of Katie. I consider myself blessed to have worked with her. She is truly an inspiration and has touched many lives. RIP Katie

An inspiration to all who knew her - so strong in spirit, and thoughtful to all. She will be missed but never forgotten!

Katie was a very sweet person, kind and generous and she treated everyone alike and as equals. I only knew her for a short time working at Dalhousie. She was a doer, always on the go and always helping others, she will be missed. Condolences to her family and friends.