Dr. John Beamish, medical director of Hospice Peterborough and a tireless advocate for hospice palliative care, has retired.
One of the founding members of Hospice Peterborough in 1988, Dr. Beamish has served in many roles in the organization over the past four decades, including as board member, staff mentor, and donor.
In 2018, he became Hospice Peterborough’s medical director for community programs and the hospice care centre which opened in 2019 at 325 London Street in Peterborough. He was a driving force behind the 10-bed residence, which provides around-the-clock end-of-life care for hospice clients and family members.
Also a family physician, Dr. Beamish provided palliative care to patients living in the city and county of Peterborough for more than four decades.
“During this time, palliative care has evolved from a discipline on the fringes of medicine to a respected part of the care continuum,” reads a newsletter from Hospice Peterborough announcing Dr. Beamish’s retirement. “He is considered by many to be a trailblazer in the palliative field.”
“In the early days of Hospice Peterborough, Dr. Beamish would participate in weekly client and system reviews that resulted in not only better care for clients, but also incredible growth of Hospice and palliative supports in the community for clients and their families. His knowledge, responsiveness, good humour, and ability to empower patients with information to make their own care decisions continue to be commended today.”
After retiring from his family practice in 2020, Dr. Beamish continued to provide palliative care at Hospice Peterborough and at Peterborough Regional Health Centre.
He became a local hero during the height of the pandemic when, to limit the risk of Hospice Peterborough clients’ exposure to the virus, he volunteered to be the only palliative physician for the care centre residents, never taking a day off.
“He came in every day for four months, without complaint, and, as always, showed kindness, compassion, and good humour,” says Hospice Peterborough executive director Hajni Hos.
Dr. Beamish also played an integral role in establishing community health initiatives including Ontario’s Community Palliative On-call Physician (CPOC) group and the 360 Clinic, which provides more equitable healthcare to people who struggle to use regular services in the community.
In 2021, he was awarded the Dr. S. Lawrence Librach Award for Palliative Medicine in the Community for excellence and leadership in palliative care, as well as the Rotary Club of Peterborough Kawartha’s Paul Harris Fellow award for community service.
Hospice Peterborough is collecting well wishes to compile into a book to present to Dr. Beamish. You can send your well wishes to admin@hospicepeterborough.org by Friday, June 2nd.
