A well-known leader in Canadian emergency medicine has died.
Dr. Paul Hannam, who was the head of emergency medicine and the medical director of the North York General Hospital program, died suddenly on Saturday.
Hannam collapsed while running, a friend and emergency companion Dr. Howard Ovens said in a tweet.
“The Olympic sailor, marathon runner, family man, ED director at NYGH, a sweet, thoughtful, compassionate and kind man has died suddenly running today. The quintessential mensch. Hug someone you love,” he wrote.
Canadian emergency medicine is in mourning tonight. Paul Hannam, Olympic sailor, marathon runner, family man, director of ED at NYGH, a sweet, thoughtful, compassionate and kind man has died suddenly today in a race. The quintessential mensch. 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 when we remember our dear friend and colleague,” they said, calling Hannam a “highly respected and trusted colleague, dedicated to patients and the community.”
We are heartbroken when we remember our dear friend and colleague, Dr. Paul Hannam, who died suddenly yesterday. Dr. Hannam was the head of emergency medicine and medical director of the NYGH program. He was a highly respected and trusted colleague, dedicated to patients and the community. pic.twitter.com/AMd2pIXCYP
– North York General (@NYGH_News) July 17, 2022
Hannam was also known and loved in the far east of Toronto, having previously served two terms as chief emergency officer at Michael Garron Hospital in East York.
“Our hearts are heavy when we remember our dear friend and colleague, Dr. Paul Hannam, who was our head of ED for over 10 years. We will not soon forget his incredible contributions to our hospital and community.” , tweeted the hospital.
Our hearts are heavy when we remember our dear friend and colleague, Dr. Paul Hannam, who was our head of ED for over 10 years. We will not soon forget his incredible contributions to our hospital and community. ��
– MGH / TEHN (@MGHToronto) July 17, 2022
President and CEO Sarah Downey said Hannam was a “wonderful person in every way” who spent “many years caring for our communities.”
The Mount Sinai Schwartz / Reisman Institute of Emergency Medicine also tweeted about Hannam, whom they called “a kind and thoughtful leader, a family man, an amazing athlete, a wonderful friend and colleague.”
We were shocked and saddened to learn of the sudden and tragic death of Dr. Paul Hannam. A kind and thoughtful leader, family man, amazing sportsman, wonderful friend and companion, you will miss him very much. Our thoughts are with Paul’s family during this difficult time.
– SREMI (@SREMI_MSH) July 17, 2022
Since then, several of his former colleagues and patients have used social media to express their sadness and shock at this loss and share memories of Hannam, who in addition to working at NYGH, was also an assistant professor in the Department of Family and Community Medicine, University of Toronto. .
Hannam has also held various medical leadership and hospital administration positions since 2006.
Funeral arrangements are unknown at this time.