Dr. Mary Gorman has been honoured with the prestigious Dr. Charles & Mrs. Jean Gass Lifetime Achievement Award for 2024. A graduate of Dalhousie Medical School in 1982, Dr. Gorman has dedicated her career to providing exceptional healthcare in Antigonish, where she has made a profound impact on her community.

After completing her medical degree, Dr. Gorman began a residency in internal medicine. However, due to a family emergency, she pivoted to family practice, where she has excelled in delivering comprehensive care across various settings, including office consultations, inpatient care, emergency services, obstetrics, nursing homes, and palliative care.

Early in her career, Dr. Gorman pursued additional training in geriatric medicine, becoming a vital consultant for her colleagues in this specialty at a time when such services were scarce outside Halifax. She played a pivotal role in establishing a geriatric assessment clinic at St. Martha’s Hospital and was instrumental in developing the Geriatric and Rehabilitation inpatient unit. These initiatives have provided invaluable support to patients in the Eastern Zone.

In 1998, Dr. Gorman earned her certification from the College of Family Physicians of Canada (CFPC), followed by her certification in the Care of the Elderly in 2016. Her commitment to education is evident through her role as a preceptor for numerous medical students and residents, helping to shape the next generation of family doctors.

Active in the professional community, Dr. Gorman has served on the Doctors Nova Scotia Section of Family Doctors Council, chairing the council from 2019 to 2021. In 2018, she received an award from the NSCFP for her advocacy and care of patients with dementia, further showcasing her dedication to patient-centered care.

Dr. Gorman’s vision, leadership, teaching, and advocacy exemplify the highest qualities of a family physician. Her contributions have significantly enriched the lives of her patients and the community at large, providing resources and care that would not have existed without her commitment.

---

Description & Criteria

This award :

• will honour individuals who are/were our trailblazers and leaders in family medicine and who made a significant career contribution to family medicine during their active career years.
• will give public recognition to their work and to our discipline.
• will be presented at the Annual Awards Banquet.

Nomination & Selection Process

• Nominations for the Dr. Charles and Mrs. Jean Gass Lifetime Achievement Award are invited from CFPC members.
• Nominations may be made in writing to the NSCFP office.
• The Dr. Charles and Mrs. Jean Gass Lifetime Achievement Award will be considered when an exceptional nomination is made and will not necessarily be presented on an annual basis.

Eligibility

• Nominees must be 50 years of age or older.
• Posthumous nominations will be accepted.

---

The College of General Practice: In Dr. Charles L. Gass’ Words