Dr. Lawrence E. Matrick grew up in Winnipeg and later received his degree in Medicine from the Manitoba Medical College. After moving to Vancouver with his wife he worked at the Provincial Mental Hospital at Riverview for one year as a resident in psychiatry. He continued his studies in psychiatry in London, England and received his British degrees in Psychiatry, and later accomplished his Fellowship in the Royal College of Physicians, Canada. As an Assistant Professor in Medicine and Psychiatry at the University of British Columbia he taught medical students and supervised psychiatric residents at the Vancouver General Hospital while running a full time private practice in Vancouver for almost 50 years.
