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Return to In Memory of James Beattie Morison M.D. page J.B. Morison, 1922 - 2000 The College and the profession were saddened to learn of the death of the former registrar, Dr. J.B. Morison, earlier this year. Dr. Morison served as Registrar from 1972 to 1989. In September, 1971, Dr. Morison joined the staff of the College. He was already a well known and respected member of the medical community, having served as Deputy Minister of Health. After joining his father in general practice in 1953, he had continued his formal and informal studies of public health, taking on increasing responsibilities for both the City of Winnipeg and the Province of Manitoba. In 1970, he became the first Chairman and Executive Director of the Health Services Commission. While Registrar of the College, Jim applied his extensive knowledge of public health and governance. The Medical Act had undergone few substantive changes since 1870. The changes he drafted in 1981 moved Manitoba into a new era of self-governance for the medical profession. Two innovations illustratating his vision for the future are the concept of defined registration and confidentiality protection of the work of standards committees. The former has made it possible to respond more quickly and appropriately to human resource issues. The latter allowed the development of a dynamic set of programs within our Standards Committee advancing standards of care through education. Other issues of great interest to him were the care of the elderly and the health effect of smoking. These grew out of his earlier background in public health. His involvement in research related to the social impact of smoking among teens continued throughout his professional career. To the outside world he was always Dr. James Beattie Morison (who, if necessary, would remind you "with only one "R"), but among his staff Jim was affectionately known as "Ja-BooM". Dr. Morison died at home, with his wife Doreen and their family at his side Sunday, March 5, 2000. He will be missed. K.R. Brown, M.D. |