A renowned leader in Canadian emergency medicine has died.
Dr. Paul Hannam, who was chief of emergency medicine and program medical director at North York General Hospital, died suddenly on Saturday.
Hannam reportedly collapsed while running, friend and fellow emergency physician Dr. Howard Owens said in a tweet.
“Olympic sailor, marathon runner, family man, director of ED at NYGH, kind, caring, compassionate and gentle man died suddenly today while jogging. The typical man. Hug someone you love,” he wrote.
Tonight, Canadian emergency medicine is in mourning. Paul Hannam, Olympic sailor, marathon runner, family man, director of ED at NYGH, kind, thoughtful, compassionate and gentle man, died suddenly today while jogging. The typical man. Hug someone you love. pic.twitter.com/Gkne2khj27
— Howard Ovens (@HowardOvens) July 17, 2022
North York General Hospital also shared the news in a tweet.
“Our hearts are heavy as we remember our dear friend and colleague,” they said, calling Hannam “a highly respected and trusted colleague committed to patients and the community.”
Our hearts are heavy as we remember our dear friend and colleague Dr. Paul Hannam who passed away suddenly yesterday. Dr. Hannam was Chief of Emergency Medicine and Medical Director of NYGH. He was a highly respected and trusted colleague, committed to patients and the community. pic.twitter.com/AMd2pIXCYP
— North York General (@NYGH_News) July 17, 2022
Hannam was also well-known and well-liked in Toronto’s east end, having previously served two terms as chief emergency officer at Michael Garron Hospital in East York.
“Our hearts are heavy as we remember our dear friend and colleague, Dr. Paul Hannam, who served as our ED Chief for 10+ years. We will not soon forget his incredible contributions to our hospital and community,” the hospital tweeted.
President and CEO Sarah Downey said Hannam is a “wonderful person in every way” who has spent “many years caring for our communities.”
Mount Sinai’s Schwartz/Reisman Institute for Emergency Medicine also tweeted about Hannam, whom they called a “kind and caring leader, family man, incredible athlete, wonderful friend and colleague.”
Several of his former colleagues and patients have since taken to social media to express their sadness and shock at this loss and to share memories of Hannam, who, in addition to working at NYGH, was also an assistant professor in the Department of Family and Community Medicine at the University of Toronto.
Since 2006, Hannam has held various medical leadership and hospital administration positions.
Burial is not yet known.
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