In memoriam (August and September 2021)
John Maxim Adamis, MD, FRCSC, (formerly known as Dr. Jan Krepelka) died on March 12, 2021, in Edmonton, Alta., at age 50. Dr. Adamis was certified by the Royal College in Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery in 2007. He loved to spread joy, especially through his “Avengers Jeep.” Dr. Adamis obtained his medical degree from the University of Alberta in 2001. Read more about Dr. Adamis.
James (Jim) D. T. Ainslie, MD, FRCSC, died on January 2, 2021, in Toronto, at age 90. Dr. Ainslie was certified by the Royal College in General Surgery (1962) and Urology (1963). He was a recipient of the Queen Elizabeth II Gold and Diamond Jubilee medals. Dr. Ainslie obtained his medical degree from the University of Toronto in 1955. Read more about Dr. Ainslie.
Bernice (“Dr. K”) AvRuskin (Krafchik), MBChB, FRCPC, died on December 16, 2020, in Toronto, at age 82. Dr. AvRuskin was certified by the Royal College in Dermatology in 1970. Her career spanned over 50 years, and earned her accolades and world-renown. She also served on the Royal College Dermatology Examination Board from 2001-2005. Dr. AvRuskin obtained her medical degree from the University of Cape Town (South Africa) in 1966. Read more about Dr. AvRuskin.
Joseph Henry Beitchman, MDCM, FRCPC, died on May 25, 2021, in Toronto, at age 78. Dr. Beitchman was certified by the Royal College in Psychiatry (1973) and Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (2013). He was globally recognized for his research in child and youth speech and language disorders. He obtained his medical degree from McGill University in 1968. Read more about Dr. Beitchman.
Murray Samuel Bogorus, MD, FRCPC, died on January 21, 2021, in Black Diamond, Alta., at age 85. Dr. Bogorus was certified by the Royal College in General Pathology in 1970. After moving to Calgary in 1971 until his retirement in 2008, he worked at various labs in the city. Dr. Bogorus obtained his medical degree from the University of Alberta in 1965. Read more about Dr. Bogorus.
Thomas David R. Briant, MD, FRCSC, died on April 5, 2021, in Toronto, at age 90. Dr. Briant was certified by the Royal College in Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery in 1961. A well-published researcher, he held past leadership roles at St. Michael’s Hospital and the University of Toronto (U of T). Dr. Briant obtained his medical degree from the U of T in 1955. Read more about Dr. Briant.
Robert (Bob) Francis Briggs, MDCM, FRCPC, died on February 22, 2021, in Kingston, Ont., at age 90. Dr. Briggs was certified by the Royal College in Psychiatry in 1960. He loved to work with teens, and spent many years teaching and practising at Queens University and the Kingston General Hospital. Dr. Briggs obtained his medical degree from McGill University in 1955. Read more about Dr. Briggs.
Alan John Campbell-Moscrop, MBBS, FRCSC, died on February 10, 2021, in Jerseyville, Ont., at age 79. Dr. Campbell-Moscrop was certified by the Royal College in Plastic Surgery in 1970. In 2007, he won the prestigious Mission Legacy Award from St. Joseph’s Hospital. Dr. Campbell-Moscrop obtained his medical degree from Newcastle University (UK) in 1964. Read more about Dr. Campbell-Moscrop.
Robert (Bob) Charles Donald Climie, MD, FRCPC, died on April 16, 2021, in Delta, Ont., at age 78. Dr. Climie was certified by the Royal College in Community Medicine in 1989. He served as a physician for the military for 30 years and retired with the rank of Colonel. Dr. Climie obtained his medical degree from Queen’s University in 1970. Read more about Dr. Climie.
Thomas Perry (Tom) Corkum, MD, FRCSC, died on March 25, 2021, in Halifax, N.S., at age 81. Dr. Corkum was certified by the Royal College in Obstetrics and Gynecology in 1970. He was well-loved by the patients he served during his nearly 50 years in practice. Dr. Corkum obtained his medical degree from the University of Toronto in 1964. Read more about Dr. Corkum.
Albert (Bert) J. Davis, MDCM, FRCPC, died on October 15, 2020, in Portugal Cove-St Philips, N.L., at age 89. Dr. Davis was certified by the Royal College in Pediatrics in 1962. He is credited with making improvements to Pediatrics care and medical education in Newfoundland and Labrador. He also served on the Royal College Pediatrics Examination Board for six years. Dr. Davis obtained his medical degree from Dalhousie University in 1955. Read more about Dr. Davis.
William Percy Finn, MD, FRCSC, died on December 16, 2020, in Dundas, Ont., at age 85. Dr. Finn was certified by the Royal College in General Surgery in 1965. He served for many years as deputy chief of surgery and chief of the Department of General Surgery at the Hamilton General Hospital. Dr. Finn obtained his medical degree from the University of Toronto in 1959. Read more about Dr. Finn.
(Arthur) Frank Jones, MD, FRCPC, died on April 28, 2021, in Ottawa, Ont., at age 74. Dr. Jones was certified by the Royal College in Psychiatry in 1981. For 35 years, he practised in his field where he helped individuals struggling with mental health-related issues. Dr. Jones obtained his medical degree from McMaster University in 1973. Read more about Dr. Jones.
Jonathan Patrick Lee, MD, FRCSC, died on June 28, 2020, in Kamloops, B.C., at age 42. Dr. Lee was certified by the Royal College in Plastic Surgery in 2008. He founded the Calgary Institute of Plastic Surgery, which became one of the most recognized Plastic Surgery clinics in Calgary. Dr. Lee obtained his medical degree from the University of Alberta in 2003. Read more about Dr. Lee.
Wycliffe (Cliffe) Lofters, MBChB, FRCPC, died on June 3, 2021, in Richmond Hill, Ont., at age 78. Dr. Lofters was certified by the Royal College in Internal Medicine and Hematology in 1976. A beloved physician-leader, he was an oncologist at Kingston Regional Cancer Centre and lifelong advocate for African and Caribbean communities, including calling for more diversity in medical education. Read more about Dr. Lofters.
Keith Macleod, MDCM, FRCSC, died on May 16, 2021, in Windsor, Ont., at age 86. Dr. Macleod was certified by the Royal College in Obstetrics and Gynecology in 1965. He served on many committees during his career, and was awarded the Life Achievement Award of the Ontario Society of Obstetricians & Gynaecologists. Dr. McLeod obtained his medical degree from Queen’s University 1959. Read more about Dr. Macleod.
Robert McAuley, MDCM, FRCPC, died on March 11, 2021, in Kingston, Ont., at age 92. Dr. McAuley was certified by the Royal College in Psychiatry in 1961. After starting out as a general practitioner, he completed his residency and worked as a psychiatrist for over 30 years until he retired in 1994. Dr. McAuley obtained his medical degree from Queen’s University in 1954. Read more about Dr. McAuley.
George Duncan McPherson, MD, FRCSC, died on August 15, 2020, in Vancouver, B.C., at age 88. Dr. McPherson was certified by the Royal College in Orthopedic Surgery in 1961. An advocate for all areas of health care, his extensive career stretched beyond Canada. Dr. McPherson obtained his medical degree from the University of Western Ontario in 1956. Read more about Dr. McPherson.
Farah Jane Nasser-Sharif, MD, FRCPC, died on May 11, 2021, in Port Perry, Ont., at age 47. Dr. Nasser-Sharif was certified by the Royal College in Internal Medicine in 2003. Passionate about her work and research, she had a particular interest in heart disease. Dr. Nasser-Sharif obtained her medical degree from the University of Toronto in 1998. Read more about Dr. Nasser-Sharif.
William (Bill) Joseph Edmund Spence, MDCM, FRCSC, died on February 22, 2021, in Toronto, at age 96. Dr. Spence was certified by the Royal College in General Surgery in 1956. He enjoyed a long and successful career at Toronto General Hospital, where he practised for over 63 years. Dr. Spence obtained his medical degree from Queen’s University in 1949. Read more about Dr. Spence.
Eric Steven, MBChB, FRCSC, died on May 26, 2021, in Moncton, N.B., at age 86. Dr. Steven was certified by the Royal College in Ophthalmology in 1968. Born in Scotland, he practised in Moncton for most of his career until he retired in 2004. Dr. Steven obtained his medical degree from the University of Glasgow (Scotland) in 1959. Read more about Dr. Steven.
