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dous service to dying patients and their loved ones in Oakville on a 24/7 basis helping patients avoid unwanted Emergency Room visits or admission to hospital, alleviat- ing their pain, and helping them achieve some level of peace and understanding, said Dr. Lorne Martin. Starting out in Oakville in 1977 filling in for local family physicians, Pyle joined Drs. Grahame Owen and Susan Rhodes at their Speers Road Medical Clinic in 1984. Pyle set up the administra- tive office for the emergency room physicians in the 1980s while she was director of the emergency department at Oakville-Trafalgar Memorial Hospital and served as the med- ical director of the Speers Road walk-in clinic from 2000 to 2005. Pyle helps her patients work through difficult circum- stances and visits her shut-in elderly or palliative patients at home. While caring for her own palliative care patients, Pyle still takes those who do not have a family physician for their end of life care. Palliative care has always held a very special place in my heart. My mother died of can- cer when I was only 21 years old. Walking that journey with her at such a young impres- sionable time in my life real- ly changed my focus, said Pyle. At the time, I was in my last undergrad year, at the University of Toronto, and heading for a career in medical research. After seeing my mother through her last days, I chose to practice medicine instead so I could reach out and be there for my patients especially when it mattered most. How do you comfort a young dying mother who fears for the children she is leaving behind or a loving son who is guilt ridden over a difficult relationship with his dying father?, asked Pyle. Pyle was involved with the establishment of Ian Anderson House, (a residential hospice in Oakville), as a member of the board and chair of its Medical Advisory Board before it opened in November 1997. She was instrumental in strik- ing the Oakville Palliative Care Team in 2004. Ideally one dies with dignity surrounded by their loved ones but sadly this isnt everyones experience, said Pyle. You always have to balance any medical intervention with the patients quality of life, said Pyle. We can help manage pain, so the patients remaining time is as comfortable and peaceful as possible but dealing with their sense of loss and despair and that of their familys can be very intense. I grieve for each of my patients and consider it a priv- ilege to have had the opportu- nity to be a part of their lives. If I can do anything for them to help lift their burden even just a little through their jour- ney and hopefully help them say good-bye to their loved ones or come to terms with their death then it was all worth it. Thats what stays with you and keeps you going. distinguished career she has shone a light on the palliative care require- ments of the community to ensure patients and their families have support in their greatest hour of need. Pyles dedication and work was rec- ognized at Halton Healthcare Services (HHS) Annual General Meeting where she was the 2010 recipient of the Dr. E. P. Soapy Soanes Award. This award is given to a family physi- cian who has demonstrated an out- standing contribution to the Oakville hospital in the areas of clinical practice, community health, hospital programs, continuing medical education and com- munity involvement. It was established in recognition of the hospitals first chief of staff, Dr. Eric Percy (Soapy) Soanes, a longtime member of the fam- ily medicine department, Dr. Pyle has played a key role in the community management of palliative care patients over the past 30 years. She has and continues to provide a tremen- w w w . o a kv ill eb ea ve r.c o m O A KV IL LE B EA V ER Th ur sd ay , O ct ob er 7 , 2 01 0 2 6 HealthOakville Beaver Death and dying are subjects most people would rather not deal with but Dr. Helen Pyle has made it her lifes work. Through a long and Dr. Helen Pyle Doctor recognized for compassionate work with the dying Oakville Denture Centre Wellness care for the entire family! Specializes in: Pediatrics Pre and Postnatal Care Naturally Turning Breech Babies Headaches/Migraines Fertility Issues Low Back/Neck Pain Sciatica Posture and Osteoarthritis Dr. Jenna Davis Family Chiropractor/Acupuncturist 905.844.WELL Helping Families Every Step of the Way! www.acornhealth.ca drdavis@acornhealth.ca 250 Wyecroft Rd., Unit 15, Oakville, ON HAPPY THANKSGIVING