Posted on: March 4, 2022
In a March 3rd ceremony at Government House, Victoria Hospice community physician Dr. Deborah Braithwaite was invested into the Order of British Columbia (OBC) for serving with "the greatest distinction and excellence" in the field of palliative care, "benefiting the people of British Columbia".
Dr. 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.
She 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 the community.
Dr. Braithwaite spent those 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, she 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.
The Order of British Columbia was established by statute on April 21, 1989, to recognize those persons who have served with the greatest distinction and excelled in any field of endeavour benefiting the people of the Province or elsewhere. The Order of British Columbia is bestowed annually on the most outstanding British Columbians possessing these qualifications.
Dr. Braithwaite was among 33 exceptional British Columbians welcomed into the Order at the March 3rd ceremony from 2020 and 2021. Others included Dr. Bonnie Henry, Chief Joe Alphonse, Michael Bublé and Brian Minter. The Order of BC is the highest recognition the Province can bestow on a citizen.
View the investiture ceremony here. The presentation to Dr. Braithwaite starts at the 36:34 mark.