We recently learned of the death of Dr. Bernard Lapointe on December 24. We would like to pay tribute to this leading figure in palliative care in Quebec and Canada, and offer our condolences to his loved ones.
As was written at the time of his presentation as an Officer of the Order of Canada:
Bernard Lapointe is an innovator in palliative care in Canada. A
professor at McGill University, he provided decisive leadership in advancing clinical practice at a time when the discipline was in its infancy. He has helped develop palliative care through his involvement with provincial and national organizations, including the Canadian Hospice Palliative Care Association [Editor’s note: and the Association québécoise de soins palliatifs], for which he served as president. A renowned educator, he has dedicated himself to training and clinical teaching in end-of-life care, leading many health professionals to work in a specialty that is vital to respecting human dignity.
Here are two suggestions to help you better know Bernard and his work:
A wonderful interview with the McGill Council on Palliative Care, in 2023
https://www.mcgill.ca/council-on-palliative-care/article/bernard-lapointes-nomination-officer-order-canada
His series of seven videos (in French) produced by the
Canadian Virtual Hospice:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=br3zy4O9zls&list=PL82D4C202128D31E7
On behalf of all the people you have accompanied over the years, thank you from the bottom of our hearts, Bernard!
JAN
2025