Dr. Debra Braithwaite was the community physician during her 34-year career at Victoria Hospice. When she started in 1984, the field of palliative care was in its infancy in Canada, as was the Victoria Hospice organization.
Dr. Braithwaite decided early in her career that caring for those at end of life was important. She wanted to focus on helping people to die well at home. At that time, for many, end-of-life was dealt with in a hospital setting and did not involve family.
Prior to 1984, Victoria Hospice was a pilot project with temporary funding. Now it has garnered an international reputation as a pioneer in palliative care. For many years Dr. Braithwaite was the physician who registered every patient with Victoria Hospice, which grew from 30 patients in the beginning, to over 400 at any one time now. She became the public face of palliative care in our community.
Dr. Braithwaite then spent the next 34 years educating herself as well as health care professionals, volunteers, patients, and the community, about palliative care. Through workshops, university courses, protocols, manuals, and mentoring, she formalized the discipline while remaining flexible as the body of knowledge grew.
Dr. Braithwaite also cared for every child who connected with Victoria Hospice, being available 24/7 for patients and families. Prior to retirement, Dr. Braithwaite helped transition additional colleagues to continue this important work.
Dr. Braithwaite has been acknowledged both locally and nationally by her peers and her community for the contributions she has made to the development of palliative care, they include:
- C.F.P. – Honorary degree from the Canadian College of Family Physicians for contributions to the field of palliative medicine in Canada
- Women of Distinction – Health and Medicine
- Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Medal for contributions to the development of palliative care in Canada
Dr. Braithwaite is now officially retired but her contribution to the field of palliative care will be her legacy.
