Dr. Pierre Allard was such a person: a palliative care physician, a husband, a father, grandfather and a mentor to hundreds of medical students, residents and colleagues.
Following Pierre’s certification in Community Medicine, he obtained his Master’s degree in Epidemiology from Laval University in 1980 and a doctorate degree in Epidemiology from the University of North Carolina (USA) in 1988. From 1993 to 2009, he lead the development of interdisciplinary palliative care research groups at Laval University and the University of Ottawa. Over the past 15 years, Pierre was involved in numerous initiatives to sustain the development of palliative care research in Canada. In latter years, he became a mentor to younger colleagues pursuing research careers in palliative care. Pierre was also a frequent reviewer of grant proposals at The Canadian Institute of Health Research.
From 2000 to 2008, he was Head of the Division of Palliative Care, University of Ottawa. From 2003 to 2009, he was Medical Chief of the Department of Palliative Medicine at Bruyère Continuing Care and Scientific Director to one of the 10 New Emerging Teams on Palliative Care Research funded by the Canadian Institutes for Health Research. Pierre’s main research interest was on the assessment and management of symptoms at the end of life with a special focus on delirium. From 2009, he continued as an active member of the Division of Palliative Care, a palliative care consultant and physician on the Palliative Care Unit at the Élisabeth Bruyère Hospital (ÉBH) and at The Ottawa Hospital.
Pierre was a recipient of multiple awards recognizing his skills, research and exceptional medical care. He received accolades for his role modeling of interprofessional collaboration and care. In 2010 and 2012, Pierre volunteered for missions in Burkina Faso, Africa with the Canadian Medical Foundation to assist colleagues in that country develop palliative care.
In February 2012, Pierre was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. In the following months, he underwent chemotherapy treatments. He was able to do many things on his “bucket list”, including a fly-in fishing holiday with his family to a lake in remote Quebec, visits to the Caribbean and Europe, and enjoy his beloved cottage on the St. Lawrence. During his illness, Pierre received amazing care from many colleagues, including colleagues at the Cancer Centre, the Bruyère Palliative Care community consult team, and his family physician Dr. Caroline Roy.
Forever our teacher, Pierre wanted to give one last gift to his students and colleagues. He returned to ÉBH last week to give his last lecture on going from a clinician to a patient, using himself as the care study. He also gave us the chance to thank him and say goodbye.
In the last days of his life, Pierre returned to the Palliative Care Unit at the Élisabeth Bruyère Hospital as a patient, where he died on Monday, May 13, 2013, surrounded by his loving wife Lili, his children and family.
Thank you Pierre for leaving your mark in our hearts!
Leave a Reply