ER physician remembered with Emergency Medicine award
By Max Martin, MA’19
A dedicated emergency medicine physician and avid hockey player is being remembered for his tireless commitment to patient care at the Schulich Medicine & Dentistry – Windsor Campus.
The memory of Dr. Gordon Vail, former Adjunct Professor, will live on through the endowed Dr. Gord Vail Resident Award in Emergency Medicine – an award made possible by a generous donation from his family and friends.
“We all have hope that this scholarship will keep Gord’s memory alive and help another medical student as well,” said Connie Vail, Gord’s mother.
Dr. Vail’s parents contributed $50,000 from their son’s estate to the endowed award. Emergency room staff at Hotel Dieu Grace Hospital also donated $10,000.
The annual award, valued at $2,000, will be given to a learner completing their residency in Family Medicine at the Windsor Campus. The resident will demonstrate a commitment to emergency medicine in Windsor, with preference given to an individual actively involved in leadership and athletics – just like Dr. Vail was.
“Gord was an excellent student and athlete,” said Terry Vail, Gord’s father, adding his son had dreamed of being a physician since high school.
Dr. Vail received his MD from the University of Toronto and completed his residency at Schulich Medicine & Dentistry, specializing in emergency medicine.
He then moved to Windsor, where he provided 16 years of service and leadership, with a commitment to mentoring medical students.
Dr. Vail was Chief of Staff at Hotel Dieu Grace Hospital from 2010 to 2013, and was the Medical Director of the Emergency Department.
“Gord was a quiet person but we know he loved his work as an ER physician,” his father said. “Family and friends were important to him. Gord considered those he worked with as friends and valued the many friendships he made through the years.”
A long-time lover of sports and hockey, Dr. Vail played on Ontario Medical Association teams and in the Windsor Essential Services Hockey League. He played until he became ill two years ago.
Dr. Vail lost a two-year a battle with cancer on March 3, 2019.
“After he died, many people told us stories of how Gord had quietly helped them through difficult times,” Connie said. “In turn, his friends helped him through the last two years and those same friends are now helping us, and his brother, Greg, get through this incredibly sad time.”
His family hopes the scholarship will not only preserve Dr. Vail’s legacy, but also inspire and support the next generation of emergency medicine leaders.
