Dr. Jim McMillan grew up in Lac La Biche and did all of his training through the University of Alberta.  He started his orthopaedic career in 1975 at the Charles Camsell Hospital.  In those early years of his practice, he also travelled to Fort McMurray, Yellowknife and Hay River where orthopaedic care was unavailable.  After the Camsell closed, he continued to perform thousands of surgeries at the Royal Alexandra, Misericordia and Sturgeon Hospitals as well as consulting regularly at the Worker’s Compensation Board Clinic.  Every day of his career he looked forward to meeting and treating patients, and to working with so many dedicated co-workers.

 

The consummate practical joker, he was a fun-loving talented surgeon who brought laughter and healing to many. Whether a clinical case or a political interaction, Jim had an innate ability to break things down to a succinct bottom line, usually in a humorous and witty manner.  He was a dedicated family man who loved spending time with his wife Jan, their 3 children and especially his 5 grandsons as well as many other extended family members.

He enjoyed golfing, and travelled the world looking for new courses to

try.  Although he was a social person,  golf was often a meditative

solitary experience and he was addicted to scrounging for golf balls

as he walked.

 

Dr. McMillan was a life-long learner always expanding his knowledge

by reading, attending conferences and educational sessions.  He

enjoyed teaching both here and also in Malawi during his two

volunteer tours with Orthopaedics Overseas. 

Jim would be honoured that the Edmonton chapter of the

Canadian Orthopaedic Nurses Association (CONA) has taken on

the responsibility of administering funds donated in his name to

further education for many others.