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.
Digital Guestbook
Judy Glennie
Bill Wensley
I was saddened to learn of Bill’s death and send condolences to his family and friends. He was a truly outstanding pharmacist who contributed immensely to our profession. I had occasion to work with him over the years and always found him to be a true professional.
Bill Wensley former Registrar Ontario College of Pharmacists
Juan C. Corredor
I was fortunate to have known Bill within my first year of being in Ottawa. I remember him as a very good friend. I'm really sad about the news.
Cynthia Jackevicius
Very sad to hear of Bill's passing. I remember participating in the Clinical Pharmacy Services Study very early in my career, and fondly recall Bill's vision, dedication, and enthusiasm for the project. He was truly a pioneer in the pharmacy profession in Canada and will be remembered as such. Bill leaves a lasting legacy and we will all continue to benefit from his many efforts over the years to advance pharmacy practice in Canada.
Carlo Marra
My interactions with Bill were few but he was always a spectacular mentor and advisor to the younger generation of pharmacists (who aren't young anymore if they are of my vintage). I will proudly wear my bow tie as Jim Blackburn suggests. He will be missed!
Dawn Polley
I was a resident of Bill’s in 1977 . What an amazing year I had with him at the Drug information Center and Hospital. He had a huge impact on my life and career. It was a pleasure to learn at his pulpit. What an amazing man... so humble, caring and a wonderful mentor. I want to pass along my condolences to his family. Please know he touched so many people over his long and full career. I will never forget him.
Dawn Polley, Vancouver. . Class of 1977
Brian Tuttle
An outstanding leader, mentor and friend, Bill provided me with important advice and his leadership and vision guided many of the paths I have taken over my career in pharmacy services. He certainly will be missed.
Lisa Fernandes (nee Kwok)
It is with sadness I read about Bill's death. I worked at Ottawa Hospital - Civic Campus 1996-2001. I admired Bill's leadership and devotion to the pharmacy profession and the pharmacy department. Rest in peace.
George and Julie (Keon) Ho - OGH Pharmacy Residency 1986-87
Bill McLean was the pharmacy residency coordinator in 1986 when Julie Keon and I joined two others, Christine Gawlik and Dave Dobson at the Ottawa General Hospital. Little did we know that was the most important and informative year of our pharmacy lives. I can only speak for myself when I say Bill was a singular individual. He had us constantly wondering what he meant when he gave his sage advice about practically everything including pharmacy management. He was a pioneer in Canada and led so many of the standards of pharmacy practice we take for granted today. Though Bill handed over the reins of the residency program to Mike Tierney mid residency year (we hit the jackpot twice), he kept constant interest in our education and continued to mentor us on his avant-garde pharmacy management practice, always moving it forward and championing the wellbeing of the patient through higher and higher pharmacy standards. Pharmacy, and not just hospital pharmacy has lost a giant and an invaluable friend with Bill’s passing, but he has left his indelible marks that will continue to drive our vision of excellence in our profession. Rest in peace Dr. McLean. You will be missed.
Jean-Louis Fortin
I had the pleasure to work with William at "Bras" (organization for H.I.V. in Hull) and enjoy his company very much, R.I.P. my friend.
Dear Chris and Dan - Please know that we all share in your deep sadness with Bill's passing, but at the same time cherish the great memories we all have for the blessing that it is to have known your Dad. While we were professional colleagues for many years, it wasn't until Bill and I shared an office in the basement of the Ottawa General for 3 years that I came to have a full appreciation for how great a person and loyal a friend he truly was. My life has been all the better for having known Bill, and I'll very much miss our Facebook exchanges and his Christmas letters where he showed to all how very proud he was of the two of you. Thanks for sharing your Dad with us. Lots of love, Judy