AMHERST - Cumberland County physicians have paid tribute to one of their own and patients at the regional health care centre will be the beneficiaries.
Members of the Cumberland County Medical Society have made a significant contribution to the Cumberland Health Care Foundation in memory of Dr. Hugh Christie with the money being used to purchase much needed medical equipment for the hospital.
"While many of the doctors may not have known Dr. Christie personally, they knew of him and his level of commitment to his patients and his community," society president Dr. Celina White said. "We know that Dr. Christie would have wanted us to make a contribution to the health care foundation because he appreciated it work and what it does for patient care in Cumberland County."
Christie passed away at age 95 earlier this month following a lengthy illness. A veteran of the Second World War, who went ashore in the early hours of D-Day and was slightly wounded, came home to Amherst in 1949 as an internist with a special interest in heart disease.
He remained on active duty at the hospital through 1996 and was chief of staff at the former Highland View Hospital from 1972-79. He was highly regarded by his peers and his patients.
Joining White making the presentation to the foundation were two of Christie's close friends and colleagues Dr. Tony Lawrence and Dr. Gillian Lawrence.
"This a very appropriate gesture," Gillian Lawrence said. "He contributed so much to health care in this area and in the province. He was a very supportive colleague who was wonderful with his patients."
For the Lawrences, who emigrated to Canada in the 1960s, Christie was someone they could turn to for advice and support and he was one of the few specialists that continued to make house calls to his patients.
Foundation chair David Wood welcomed the contribution saying the money would immediately be put to work to purchase new equipment.
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