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In Memory of Nancy Hall

It is with great sadness that we learned that Nancy Hall died on March 23rd at the age of 60. In addition to being an advocate for those with mental health problems, for which she perhaps is best known, Nancy was also a tireless champion for communities, health promotion and public health.

A graduate of the Ph.D. program in medical sciences at McMaster University she worked across the country developing provincial health care strategies for women and children, seniors, youth and people with disabilities. On moving to British Columbia, she helped the BC Ministry of Health develop guidelines for healthy community initiatives and taught health promotion skills to health care workers, managers and community members. As a consultant in the 1980s she set up “Be Well” in Vancouver’s West End, one of the first health promotion programs for seniors.

From 1995–2001, Nancy served as a member of the Provincial Health Goals Advisory Committee. As a Director of Health Promotion for North Shore Health and BC Women's Hospital, she developed initiatives related to heart health, women's health, First Nations health, violence prevention, injury prevention and addiction. She developed the community partnerships and secured funding to establish a National Centre of Excellence for Women's Health involving UBC, University of Victoria, UNBC and community groups.

From 1998–2001, she served as the first Mental Health Advocate for British Columbia and continued to be actively involved in that work even after the position was abolished by the government. In recognition of her contributions to the field of mental health, last October she received the C.M. Hincks award, the highest award from the Canadian Mental heath Association.

Over the past few years, I had the pleasure of working with Nancy on a number of PHABC initiatives including the last two conferences of the Association, one of which she coordinated, and last year’s summer school in health promotion which she helped plan and spoke at. In all of these experiences, I found her to be innovative, collaborative and constructively critical. Above all, she was passionate about what she believed in. Her contributions were recognized two years ago when she received the PHABC President’s award.

She was also active as a teacher in the School of Public Health at Simon Fraser University and I know that she was an inspiration to her students. In recognition of her contribution there, a scholarship fund for students in public health has been established. Contributions can be made directly to the SFU University Advancement Office at 8888 University Drive, or at www.endhomelessnessnow.ca.

She will be sorely missed by her friends and colleagues in health promotion and public health as well as in many other fields.

The Memorial service will be held on Tuesday March 29 at 3:00 pm at St. Andrews Wesley (Burrard and Nelson).

Our sincerest condolences to her family.

Irving Rootman
PHABC Board