Summary
Dr. Normand Belliveau has passed away at the age of 92. He made many important contributions to medicine and surgery through his close associations with several medical organizations. He was the former president of the Quebec Medical Association and the Canadian Medical Protective Association (CMPA)as well as the 100th president of the Canadian Medical Association. This commentary is a tribute to his contribution to CMPA.
![Figure](https://www.canjsurg.ca/content/cjs/58/3/153/F1.medium.gif)
Dr. Normand Belliveau was a true gentleman whose long association with the Canadian Medical Protective Association (CMPA) provided a significant benefit to the medical profession. He was a distinguished surgeon who served as a CMPA councillor from 1964 to 1997. Dr. Belliveau was the first francophone to serve as the president of the CMPA (1988–95).
Dr. Belliveau’s stature in the medical profession allowed him to open doors that had previously been closed to the CMPA. He was a positive champion for the CMPA and was well liked by colleagues and business associates. During his tenure as president, he successfully guided the CMPA through turbulent waters, including the construction of the CMPA’s current headquarters, which opened in 1994.
A strong advocate for defending the interests of Canadian physicians, Dr. Belliveau never lost sight of the everyday difficulties faced by individual physicians working in small communities. He was able to bring levity to stressful situations and kept things light by telling stories about fishing adventures on his boat when people became too serious.
Dr. Belliveau was an inspirational leader and an exceptional individual who brought out the best among his fellow councillors and the senior management of the CMPA.
- Accepted March 12, 2015.