In memory of Dr. Jacques Frenette

2022-11-07

It is with great sadness that we inform you of the death of Dr. Jacques Frenette from pancreatic cancer on October 18, 2022.

An eminent teacher, professor emeritus of the Faculty of Medicine at Laval University, and founding member of the Department of Family and Emergency Medicine and the Laval Family Medicine Unit, Dr. Frenette was internationally renowned for his expertise in teaching about the physician-patient relationship, as well as in designing and evaluating educational programs. He spent more than 35 years passing on his passion for family medicine to practitioners who then passed it on to others.

Over the course of his career, Dr. Frenette devoted a substantial portion of his work to education. His teaching focused primarily on communication, the medical interview, and the patient-centred clinical approach.

Beginning in 1978, Dr. Frenette also took on significant leadership roles at Laval University, first as director of the Family Medicine Section (1978 to 1986) then as director of the Family Medicine Program (1978 to 1998). He was named vice-dean of education of the Faculty of Medicine in 1998, and then held the position of associate dean of rural and regional education (2002 to 2012), a role in which he served with great professionalism and unwavering determination.

The College of Family Physicians of Canada™ twice recognized the magnitude of Dr. Frenette’s contributions to family medicine: first in 2001, when he received the prestigious Ian McWhinney Award to acknowledge his exceptional contributions to family medicine education in Canada, and again in 2006, when he was awarded the W. Victor Johnston Award for his contributions to advancing family medicine.

We mourn the loss of this ardent and tireless advocate for family medicine and extend our deepest sympathies to his wife, Jocelyne, and to their family and friends.