Renowned physician Dr. Balfour Mount, credited with popularizing the concept of “palliative care” and instrumental in transforming healthcare in North America, passed away peacefully on September 25 at the palliative care facility named after him. He was 86 years old.
Dr. Mount dedicated his life to providing compassionate care and easing the suffering of others. Described by his family and colleagues as deeply empathetic and a strong advocate for the dignity of those experiencing pain, he left a lasting impact on the medical community.
Born on April 14, 1939, in Ottawa, Dr. Mount faced academic challenges during his youth, overcoming them to graduate from Queen’s University with a degree in medicine specializing in surgical urology. His firsthand battle with testicular cancer in his younger years prompted him to reevaluate his approach to life and medicine.
Inspired by the book “On Death and Dying” by Elisabeth Kubler-Ross, Dr. Mount conducted a study on terminally ill patients at the Royal Victoria Hospital in Montreal. Witnessing the inadequate pain relief and care for these individuals, he journeyed to England to learn from Dame Cicely Saunders, the pioneer of modern hospice care at St. Christopher’s.
Returning to North America, Dr. Mount established the first palliative care unit at the Royal Victoria Hospital in 1975, where he introduced a comprehensive approach to pain management and emotional support for terminally ill patients. He coined the term “palliative care,” opting for it over “hospice” due to linguistic nuances in Canada.
Throughout his career, Dr. Mount challenged traditional healthcare structures and advocated for holistic patient care, emphasizing the importance of treating patients as individuals rather than just their illnesses. Despite his numerous accolades and honors, he remained humble and focused on his family, considering his children his greatest achievement.
In his later years, even while battling his own health issues, Dr. Mount continued to champion improved end-of-life care and opposed physician-assisted dying. His legacy lives on through the impact he had on the field of palliative medicine and the compassionate care he provided to countless patients.
Dr. Mount’s son, James, reflected on his father’s unwavering support and compassion, highlighting how Dr. Mount’s presence and empathy extended beyond his professional life into his personal relationships. The peaceful passing of Dr. Mount in the palliative care unit he founded served as a poignant reminder of his enduring legacy and the profound humanity he embodied.