The staff and residents of Wellington Terrace bid a fond farewell to Dr. John Ewen at his retirement party on Jan. 10, but unlike most similar events, it was the guest of honour who left his friends and colleagues with a gift.
Ewen presented Terrace staff and residents with a painting titled, Treasured Days.
“It’s very apropos. I consider my days here as treasured days,” said Ewen, who has spent 35 years as medical director of the Wellington Terrace. “I look back and it just seems like yesterday since I started.”
Ewen was born and raised in Fergus, and knew from a young age that medicine was his future.
“I drove ambulance at 17 years of age, with nothing more than a chauffeur’s licence and a CPR certificate,” he recalled. “I’ve seen a lot of things.”
Born for the role, Ewen left home to attend the University of Guelph before heading to the University of Toronto’s School of Medicine. He graduated in 1975 and completed an internship at Toronto’s East General Hospital.
“Fortunately for us, Dr. Ewen chose to return to his hometown of Fergus in April 1977, where he established his family practice at the St. George Medical Centre along with Dr. MacLachlan and Dr. Hackett,” said Jill Maitland, manager of resident care at the Terrace.
On Jan. 1, 1978, Ewen accepted the position of medical director at the facility, then located in Elora.
“John’s commitment to the position of medical director and the team was integral to the advancement of the Terrace,” Maitland said.
“Over the past 35 years, John has supported the team as Wellington Terrace evolved from a home for the aged, regulated by the Ministry of Community and Social Services with residential and extended care residents, to a full-fledged long-term care facility legislated by the Ministry of Health and Long Term Care.”
Ewen credits the local government for helping to make that transition. “The county council has given me so much support and the Wellington Terrace so much support,” Ewen said.
In his role, Ewen estimates that for over 30 years he spent no less than three days a week at the facility, but often far more since giving up his family physician practice 10 years ago. “I couldn’t have been more blessed to work in a better place,” Ewen said. “It’s the whole environment of the Wellington Terrace; it’s a fantastic place.” He adds, “All the residents and the families have accepted me as one of their own.” He said that makes all the difference in his role.
“I can’t recall a resident and I ever having a cross word,” Ewen said.
It’s that positive outlook that makes Ewen feel like his years caring for the residents of the Terrace were more than a job. “I don’t think it’s a job if you like what you’re doing.”
Ewen credits staff for making the experience an enjoyable one. “I couldn’t have worked with a better staff,” he said. “Everyone employed at the Wellington Terrace is amazing.”
The feeling appears to be mutual. According to Maitland it was not only Ewen’s professional demeanor that made him an important part of the care team, but it was also his humour and kindness to everyone there.
“John’s friendly, outgoing personality, compassion, knowledge and sense of humour are his trademarks,” Maitland said. “He has the ability to make everyone feel valued, whatever their role. The residents will miss his reassuring pat on the back. The staff will miss the stories and jokes.”
Peter Barnes, administrator of the facility, agreed the residents and staff will miss Ewen.
“If laughter is the best medicine, then we’ve all had really good care,” Barnes said.
Laughter was evident at the event, where residents, family members and staff took turns sharing personal memories with Ewen. “The older people are very pleasant. I tried to make them feel that this was their home. You want to make everything as pleasant for them as you can,” Ewen said, adding it is important to respect that they are from a different era and deserve to be treated with dignity. Though Ewen will continue his role as Coroner for the Province of Ontario, his position as medical director of the Terrace has been filled.
“I leave here with a clean conscience that the residents will be well looked after by Dr. Gergovich and Dr. Stickney.” He told the residents, in his farewell speech, “you couldn’t be in better hands.”
Ewen joked that he hoped his wife, Pat, will “be able to put up with him,” and in an interview after the speeches, he was clear that his wife is important to his career success.
“You have to have a good home life to come home to,” Ewen said.
Pat acknowledges the coroner position will keep her husband busy enough, but she has some hopes the two will travel some. “We’ve done a lot of cruising. We’ll continue to do more of that,” she said.
Ewen agrees he would like to travel more, but said he had “no real plans,” beyond volunteering and “a lot more walking.” While the line-up for hugs and good-byes continued, Ewen said he was ready for the next phase of his life.
“The thing to take away is that the people here have been wonderful. I have enjoyed every day of coming in.”
