October

It is with great sadness we announce the passing of our cherished wife and mother.

Nanette passed away suddenly at her West Vancouver home with her ever-loving husband, Albert, on their 57th wedding anniversary. Survived by her devoted husband Dr Albert Menzies; daughters Heather Bruce (Dave), Anthea Poskitt (David), Michele (Michael Overton) and Bronwen (Theo Verbaarschot); son Neil (Martine Blier); and grandchildren Brione, Colleen, Nicola, Cameron, Emma, Philip, Sophie, and Adele. Family in England include her sister Joy, and nieces Penny and Wendy.

Book review Goldfrank’s Manual of Toxicologic Emergencies. By Robert Hoffman, MD, Lewis Nelson, Mary Howland, et al. (eds). Ontario: McGraw-Hill Ryerson, 2007. ISBN 007144310X, 9780071443104. $55.95. Physicians in British Columbia are fortunate to have 24/7 availability of an excellent toxicology consultation service at the Drug and Poison Information Centre (DPIC). DPIC also has available an excellent Poison Management Manual which provides practical advice on most toxicological emergencies.

The Joint Standing Committee on Rural Issues (JSC) recently announced an important development in providing British Columbia with one of the most comprehensive rural support programs in Canada.

About 8 months ago, it became apparent to just about everyone sharing my DNA, their mother, my office staff, and numerous colleagues, friends, and neighbors that “the old guy” needed to take some time off. 

Although I’m not really qualified to do so, there I was, talking to a predominantly American audience about what makes a good doctor. It’s a subject on which most of us have some opinion, and who was I to tell them anything they didn’t already know? So I was expecting harrumphs and snorts from the audience at least some of the time. But they sat and made eye contact and listened, which was interesting but also unnerving.