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McGill Family Medicine members recognized by the Quebec College of Family Physicians

Published: 11 June 2020

Two members of the McGill University Faculty of Medicine’s Department of Family Medicine were recently honoured by the Collège québécois des médecins de famille (CQMF).

Dr. Pierre-Paul Tellier, Associate Professor in the Department of Family Medicine, won the Family Physician of the Year award and Dr. Miriam Boillat, Associate Professor of Family Medicine and Associate Member of the Institute of Health Sciences Education, received the Award of Excellence – Contribution to Family Medicine Education.

Dr. Tellier awarded Family Physician of the Year

The Family Physician of the Year award recognizes CQMF family physician members who best exemplify the definition of a family physician, including providing exemplary care to their patients and making a significant contribution to the health and well-being of their communities or society in general.

“When I finished medical school, I chose to do a residency in Family Medicine because it was the fastest way to get out of the academic environment, which I disliked, and start working. Though I may have picked this specialty for the wrong reason, I soon found out that it was exactly where I should be,” says Dr. Tellier. “It was being Marcus Welby, MD, the only doctor I had really known.  A kind man who cared and helped people with various conditions, over time, no matter who they were or what their age.  Receiving this award tells me I have become my television idol.  How many people can say they are what they dreamed to be in life?  That is what this award means to me, silly but true.”

Dr. Tellier completed his medical studies at Ottawa University before moving to the Montreal Children’s Hospital to complete his residency in Family Medicine. After practicing for two years he decided to pursue a Fellowship in Adolescent Health, which he completed in New York City at Bellevue Hospital with Dr. Adele Hoffman, one of the founding pillars of the discipline in the United States.  Upon returning to Montreal, Dr. Tellier became involved with several community organization working with at-risk youth.

Dr. Tellier worked at Head and Hands for 37 years and was Director of Student Health at McGill for 34 years. He continues to see patients at the CLSC Côte-des-Neiges and Clinique Medic Elle, in addition to teaching in both medical and nursing students at McGill. He is also involved in research within the Family Medicine residency program and sits on several national and international committees.

Dr. Boillat receives Award of Excellence – Contribution to Family Medicine Education

The Award of Excellence recognizes CQMF members who, over the past 12 to 24 months, have made an outstanding contribution in a specific area.

A McGill alumna herself, Dr. Boillat has served the University community in many complementary ways, notably, as Family Medicine Program Director, Director of Faculty Development for the Department of Family Medicine, Co-Chair of the Dean’s Family Medicine Task Force, Interim Chair of the Department of Family Medicine and Associate Dean of Faculty Development for the Faculty of Medicine.

Dr. Boillat has been practicing and teaching at St. Mary’s Hospital Center since 1986, and was Director of the Family Medicine Residency Program for close to 10 years. Her educational contributions span undergraduate medical education, postgraduate and family medicine education and faculty development. She is currently Co-Director of the clinical skills course in first and second year of medical school and Chair of the Osler Fellowship Program.

“Receiving an award for my contribution to family medicine education is like receiving an award for playing a piece of music that I love on the piano! Family medicine education has always been at the heart of my academic career. It brings joy and meaning to my work, forms the foundation of my professional identity, and embraces a wonderful community of practice,” says Dr. Boillat.

Congratulations to Dr. Tellier and Dr. Boillat!

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