Celebrating the Healing Hearts of Carleton Place & District Memorial Hospital: Honouring the Legacy of Two Esteemed Former Local Physicians

Carleton Place ON – Tuesday, November 12, 2024 – The Carleton Place & District Memorial Hospital (CPDMH) Foundation held its second annual Physician Wall of Honour event on October 30, 2024. This event was held to celebrate the invaluable contributions of our local physicians and to induct two distinguished former doctors, Dr. Marty White and Dr. David Atack, onto the Physicians Wall of Honour. Known for their commitment to the highest standards of patient care, both doctors dedicated their lives to advancing medical excellence at the hospital and in the Ottawa Valley.

The event, held under the theme of Honour, Commitment, and Gratitude, provided an opportunity for staff members of the hospital, CPDMH Foundation, Mississippi River Health Alliance (MRHA), family, and friends to come together in recognition of these two remarkable doctors. “This event is more than a celebration. It is a moment to recognize the impact of two exceptional doctors, whose commitment to dignity, resilience, and compassion has influenced not only our community but future generations of healthcare providers”, shared Robyn Arseneau, CPDMH Foundation Executive Director during the ceremony.

Dr. White and Dr. Atack have been instrumental in setting a standard of excellence in patient care and have deeply impacted both the hospital and the community. During their combined eight decades of dedicated years of service, they have shown the very ideals of the medical profession, demonstrating faithful commitment, compassionate care, and visionary leadership.

Dr. Atack’s remarkable career began in 1977 when he was invited by Dr. Wilf Roy, former recipient of the award in 2023, to bring neurology services to Carleton Place. What started as part-time support soon grew to also include clinics in Almonte and Arnprior. For over 40 years, Dr. Atack dedicated himself to the neurological needs of patients in the Ottawa Valley, following in his father’s footsteps, Dr. Ned Atack, a pioneering neurologist in Eastern Ontario.

Dr. White also followed in the footsteps of his father, Dr. Dennis White, who taught neurology at Queen’s University. Inspired by his father’s example, Dr. White built his own career with the same dedication and values he learned growing up. His flexible and innovative approach to patient care has set high standards that the younger doctors he mentored looked up to and aimed to follow.

“Dr. White is the “Father of Medicine in Carleton Place” who showed respect for everyone he encountered. He showed respect for the nurses, fellow physicians, ward clerks, and administration. He was even respectful of all the teddy bears that he patched-up at the annual hospital picnic. This respect was not just in his voice and language, but in his gentle encounters… what a blessing it must have been to be a patient of his!”, shared Dr. Robert Courchene.

“At the core of every hospital are the physicians who not only treat patients but also provide leadership, mentorship, and support to their colleagues,” remarked Brad Harrington, MRHA President and CEO. “Dr. White and Dr. Atack exemplify these qualities. Their unwavering commitment to providing exceptional care, their leadership within our hospital, and their passion for advancing the health of our community have left a lasting impact on all of us.”

These sentiments were echoed by all who attended, emphasizing the deep gratitude felt for the work our physicians do each and every day. "They are the heart of our hospital," shared Dr. Roger Drake, "Their dedication has helped shape our identity as a trusted institution within Lanark County and the Ottawa Valley."

The Physicians Wall of Honour, located in the joining hallway from the current hospital to the new Emergency Department, now permanently displays the names of Dr. White and Dr. Atack as everlasting symbols of the hospital’s values — Honour, Commitment, and Gratitude. This hallway signifies the journey from the past to present, and how the legacy of former physicians with the practice of current physicians will inspire future generations of medical professionals. The recognition serves as a daily inspiration to all who pass by and are encouraged by the same level of care, compassion, and excellence.

The hospital and CPDMH Foundation extend heartfelt gratitude to Dr. Atack and Dr. White for their exceptional years of service to their hospital and community. Their work has touched countless lives and will continue to inspire healthcare providers for years to come.

The CPDMH Foundation and the Mississippi River Health Alliance extend their thanks Dr. White, Dr. Atack, and all the physicians who give tirelessly to our community.

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ABOUT CARLETON PLACE & DISTRICT MEMORIAL HOSPITAL FOUNDATION

Established in 1994, the Carleton Place & District Memorial Hospital (CPDMH) Foundation is a registered charity dedicated to raising funds for the hospital in support of providing the best healthcare possible to the residents of Carleton Place and surrounding communities. Each year the CPDMH Foundation inspires the community to support the needed purchase of modern and up-to-date patient care equipment which is needed for the hospital. In addition to providing vital equipment, the CPDMH Foundation also raises funds to support staff education and training, high school bursaries, 100% of all medical equipment and 10% of upgrades to the hospital facility. For more information, please visit www.cpdmhfoundation.ca or contact Alison Lunn, Manager of Donor Engagement and Communications at 613-257-GIVE (4483) or alunn@mrha.ca.

Charitable Registration No. 86610 5398 RR0001