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Submitted by natasha on Tue, 04/16/2019 - 03:19:PM

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the sudden and unexpected passing of Dr. William “Bill” McLean on Wednesday April 10th.  Son of the late Harry and Alice McLean of Toronto, he is survived by sons Christophe (Manon) and Daniel (Anik), and his beloved sister Anne Marie. He also leaves ex-wife Barbara McLean (née Hébert).   

Bill graduated from the University of Toronto in 1964 with a degree in Pharmacy and completed his PharmD at the University of Michigan in 1967.  Following his studies, he arrived in Ottawa in 1971 as a newly hired pharmacist in the intensive care unit at the Ottawa General Hospital and headed up its Drug Information Center.  After his more than 30 years at the hospital practicing clinical pharmacy, he retired as the Director of Pharmacy in 2000.  In addition to his hospital work, Bill spent 40 years in various capacities at the University of Ottawa: lecturer, coordinator for the clinical pharmacology courses, and developer of the therapeutics course in both English and French for Ontario universities offering the nurse practitioner program.  He retired from the institution as adjunct professor with the Faculty of Medicine’s Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine.  Throughout his illustrious career, Bill worked on numerous research projects and authored more than 130 papers with research teams and made more than 350 formal presentations to audiences across Canada, the United States, Mexico, France and Sweden.  He has received a number of awards for his work, most notably fellowships from the Canadian Society of Hospital Pharmacists (2013), the American Society of Hospital Pharmacists (1988), and the American College of Clinical Pharmacy (1995), as well as Ontario Pharmacists Association Pharmacist of the Year (1987), the Canadian Society of Hospital Pharmacist Distinguished Service Award (1994), and the Canadian Pharmacists Association’s Centennial Pharmacist in 2007 (one of only 100 pharmacists so honoured over the last century).  In recognition of his contributions to the profession, the Ontario branch of the Canadian Society of Hospital Pharmacists annually awards the William McLean Clinical Pharmacist Award which over the last 25 years Bill presented himself to the recipients.  But most of all, Bill will be remembered for donning his infamous bow ties during most of his career, which became his trademark.

Bill loved cottage life, and enjoyed spending time with family, friends and colleagues at Danford Lake in the 1980’s and 1990’s.  In his retirement years, Bill spent a considerable amount of time volunteering for numerous charitable organizations, most recently the Bureau régional action sida (“BRAS”), and the Capital Rainbow Refuge.  In Bill’s memory, donations to these organizations would be greatly appreciated.    Friends and Family are invited to visit at Beechwood National Memorial Centre, 280 Beechwood Ave., Ottawa on Sunday, May 5, 2019 from 1 p.m. until the time of the Memorial Service in the Sacred Space at 2 o'clock.   Reception to follow.

 

C’est avec beaucoup de tristesse que nous annonçons le décès soudain et inattendu du Dr. William « Bill » McLean mercredi le 10 avril dernier.  Fils de feu Harry et Alice McLean de Toronto, il laisse dans le deuil ses enfants Christophe (Manon) et Daniel (Anik) ainsi que sa sœur bien-aimée Anne Marie.  Il laisse également son ex-épouse Barbara McLean (née Hébert).

Bill était diplômé en Pharmacie de l’université de Toronto en 1964 et termina son diplôme PharmD à l’université du Michigan en 1967.  Après ses études, il arriva à Ottawa en 1971 pour prendre un poste de pharmacien aux soins intensifs à l’hôpital général d’Ottawa, où il assumait aussi le rôle de chef du Centre d’informations sur les médicaments.  Après plus de 30 ans à l’hôpital en tant que praticien de pharmacie clinique, il a pris sa retraite en 2000 alors qu’il occupait le poste de Directeur de la pharmacie depuis plusieurs années.  En plus de son travail à l’hôpital, Bill a consacré 40 ans dans divers rôles à l’université d’Ottawa, où il a notamment été conférencier, coordonnateur des cours de pharmacologie clinique, et où il a développé le programme thérapeutique en anglais et en français pour les universités ontariennes qui offraient le programme d’infirmières praticiennes.  Il s’est retiré de l’institution en tant que professeur adjoint au sein du département de médecine cellulaire et moléculaire de la Faculté de la Médecine.  Durant sa longue et illustre carrière, Bill a contribué à de nombreux projets de recherche et est l’auteur de plus de 130 publications de recherche et a présenté plus de 350 conférences à travers le Canada, les États-Unis, le Mexique, la France et la Suède.  Il est le récipiendaire de plusieurs prix et distinctions pour son travail, notamment le titre de Fellow de la Société Canadienne des Pharmaciens d’Hôpitaux du Canada (2013), de l’American Society of Hospital Pharmacists (1988), et de l’American College of Clinical Pharmacy (1995).  Il a été nommé Pharmacien de l’année en 1987 par l’Association des pharmaciens de l’Ontario, a reçu le prix de distinction de la Société Canadienne des Pharmaciens d’Hôpitaux en 1994, ainsi que le Canadian Pharmacists Association’s Centennial Pharmacist décerné en 2007 (un parmi seulement les 100 à recevoir ce prix durant le dernier siècle).  En reconnaissance de sa contribution à sa profession, la branche ontarienne de la Société Canadienne des Pharmaciens d’Hôpitaux du Canada décerne annuellement depuis plus de 25 ans le prix William McLean Pharmacien Clinique, lequel Bill a présenté en personne chaque année jusqu’à l’an dernier.  Mais plus que tout, Bill sera toujours reconnu pour le port de son fameux nœud papillon qui est devenu sa marque de commerce durant sa carrière.

Bill adorait la vie au chalet et trouvait un énorme plaisir à passer du temps avec sa famille, ses amis et ses collègues au lac Danford durant les années ’80 et ‘90.  Durant sa retraite, il a dédié une bonne partie de son temps au bénévolat, plus récemment avec le Bureau régional action Sida (BRAS) et la Capital Rainbow Refuge.  Pour hononer la mémoire de William, nous vous invitons à faire un don à un de ces organismes.  Parents et amis sont invités au Centre commémoratif national Beechwood, 280 avenue Beechwood, Ottawa, le dimanche 5 mai, à compter de 13h. Un service commémoratif aura lieu à 14h et une réception suivra.

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Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 05/05/2019 - 09:51:AM

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Mohamad

Bill and I share many great memories, sharing stories and food. Without his huge help and generous volunteer my settlement in Ottawa would not be the same. Happy that he called me a "friend". I will be always be grateful that I knew Bill.

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 05/05/2019 - 04:51:PM

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Shelita Dattani

So sorry that I couldn’t attend the service today. Like many others, I first got to know Bill when he was director Of pharmacy at Tgh in his last couple of years and I was a pharm.d. Student. Got to know him much better as I taught pharmacology at u of Onursing program under his mentorship. Bill was a generous and tireless advocate for our profession. He will be missed dearly.

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 05/07/2019 - 03:42:PM

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J. Leo Brueggeman, Pharm. D.

It is truly with heavy heart that I learn of Bill's passing. Our friendship was built upon our professional association beginning with our time together at the University of Michigan.
Most recently we saw each other again at our reunion. Each time he was most enjoyable
and informative. I will certainly keep him in my prayers.

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 05/13/2019 - 07:34:PM

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Mary Whyte

Bill McLean was the embodiment of Hospital Pharmacy> He shared his passion with so many others challenging them constantly to promote their profession by saving lives. His passion and accomplishments
promoted us all to a new higher level. His Joie de Vie was infectious and generous. We were all so privileged to have known that amazing guy wearing the sporty bow tie .

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 07/01/2019 - 12:24:PM

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Jocelyne Chretien

When I think of the most influential person in my career I immediately think of Bill. He was a colleague, a mentor and the ultimate coach. His imprint on the profession of Pharmacy has and will live for decades to come.
His departure represent a great loss for family, colleagues and the profession as a whole.
With deep sadness and sympathy
Jocelyne Chretien, PharmD

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