Dr. James P. Lund (1942-2009)
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Dr James Lund, who died peacefully in his sleep on December 8, 2009. He was the beloved husband of Dr Jocelyne Feine, cherished father to Michelle and Katherine, devoted grandfather to Laura and Mihai, and adored brother of Paddy and Jo. He was also a dear friend and respected colleague to many around the world.
Jim was born in Lancashire England in 1942 and moved with his family to Southern Australia in 1957. He earned his Bachelor of Dental Science in 1966 from the University of Adelaide and after a brief private dental practice in Mt. Gambier, South Australia, came to the University of Western Ontario. It was there that he received a PhD in Physiology in 1971 and began his life of research. He went on to the Université de Montréal where he enjoyed a distinguished 24‐year career culminating in an eight‐year appointment as the Vice‐Dean for Research in their Faculty of Dentistry.
In 1995, Jim was appointed Dean of the Faculty of Dentistry at McGill University, a position that he held until June of last year. It was a challenging time for the Faculty but under Jim's leadership, the DMD program at McGill was completely restructured. A champion of interdisciplinary research, Jim played a leading role in the establishment of several multidisciplinary centres at McGill, including the Centre for Bone and Periodontal Research, the Centre for Biorecognition and Biosensors and the Alan Edwards Centre for Research on Pain.
But probably his most satisfying accomplishment was the establishment of a flourishing Outreach Program that provides free dental care to vulnerable patients within community centres. In recognition of his work in establishing the Outreach Program, he was awarded a Medal by the Carrefour des Communités du Québec. In addition, the Outreach Program was awarded a Prix Qualité par L'Association des CLSC et CHSLD du Québec in 2003, and a Silver Medal of Excellence by the Canadian Council for the Advancement of Education in 2005. He is also a member of the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences.
Beyond his role as an excellent researcher and academic leader, Jim was an outstanding mentor to people at all levels of career development from undergraduate and postgraduate students to junior academic staff and peers in administrative positions. Through his nearly 40 years in academic life he has helped bring the best out of an incredible number of people who sought his advice and used him as an example of energy, enthusiasm and leadership.
The untimely passing of Jim will leave an enormous hole in the personal and professional lives of many of us.
In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting donations to the McGill University, Faculty of Dentistry. These donations can be made by filling out the pledge card, located in right hand panel, by visiting McGill's online donation website or by contacting Carol D'Souza at (514) 398-7203, ext:0188. You are invited to share memories of him, at a dedicated Facebook site on Your Memories of Jim.
