Honouring Seniors: A Lifetime of Care and Compassion
As Canada celebrates National Seniors Day on October 1st, the Consort Medical Clinic is proud to shine a spotlight on the dedication of healthcare professionals who serve our older population with compassion and expertise. One such individual is Tammy Damberger, a Geriatric Nurse Practitioner whose career and calling have been shaped by a lifelong connection to seniors.
Tammy started working part-time at the Consort Medical Clinic in July. She will be seeing seniors in the clinic as well as offering appointments at the Consort Lodge weekly to the residents there. The Consort Medical Board and Clinic are thrilled to welcome Tammy to our team!
Tammy grew up in Provost, where her very first job was cleaning rooms at the local nursing home. Later, she worked in the kitchen at the Lodge, discovering treasured recipes that she still uses today. But it was more than just cooking and cleaning that left a lasting impact. It was there, through early interactions with residents living with dementia, that Tammy’s interest in nursing and geriatrics truly began to take root.
After completing her nursing diploma, Tammy went on to earn her nursing degree and master’s degree, specializing in geriatrics. For more than 20 years, she has held a Canadian Nurses Association certification in gerontology, a recognition of her commitment and expertise in the care of older adults.
In her current role, Tammy provides care to seniors with complex medical needs, including challenges with cognition and physical function. A typical day may find her at the clinic, the Lodge, or Long-Term Care, delivering medical support to seniors across the community. Her patients often face multiple health concerns, from dementia and heart disease to chronic kidney and lung conditions, alongside the challenges of managing multiple medications.
Her approach is deeply person-centered: providing care in familiar home settings where seniors feel most comfortable, while actively involving families and caregivers in assessment, treatment, and follow-ups.
Tammy Damberger, NP meets with a patient at the Consort Medical Clinic
“Our seniors are a treasure and should be treated as such,” Tammy shares. “We encourage individuals and their caregivers to stay as involved as possible in decision-making. Even those with dementia still have a voice and an understanding, and it’s vital they remain included.”
For Tammy, caring for seniors is about more than managing illness; it's about supporting healthy aging. She emphasizes the importance of a multidisciplinary team, including healthcare professionals, volunteers, and homecare providers, to ensure seniors receive the comprehensive care they deserve.
Her dedication is also deeply personal. After the recent passing of her parents, Tammy reflected on her own role as a family caregiver:
“Despite my experience in geriatrics, I didn’t realize how essential it was to have an effective healthcare team until I was caring for my parents. That experience reinforced how important it is to support both seniors and their families through uncertain times.”
Tammy describes her work as rewarding, recognizing the immense contributions seniors have made to their families and communities throughout their lives. Helping them navigate the challenges of aging is, to her, both a privilege and an honor.
As National Seniors Day reminds us, seniors deserve recognition, respect, and care that reflects their value in our communities. Thanks to dedicated professionals like Tammy, the seniors in the Consort area continue to receive the compassion, support, and dignity they so greatly deserve.
We also want to take a moment and congratulate Tammy on her appointment as a primary care provider for the Long Term Care in Consort - our community is lucky to have her!
