Cape Breton University is delighted to honour and recognize a man whose passion and dedication to the overall health, well-being and care for his patients has guided his career as a physician in Cape Breton, Dr. Phil Smith.
Dr. Philip Michael Smith was born and raised in Halifax, Nova Scotia. He is one of four siblings to Lorraine and Philip Smith, both of Halifax. Dr. Smith is a graduate of Dalhousie University with a Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry and a Doctor of Medicine. This was followed by a residency in General Surgery.
Dr. Smith is passionate about mentoring and teaching medical students, and helping colleagues and has been an examiner of general surgical residents for the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada for 11 years. He is a remarkably effective recruiter of surgeons to the province and is well-respected by his colleagues and patients.
He has served on a variety of boards in executive capacities, including president of Nova Scotia General Surgeons for two terms, Executive Board of the Canadian Association of General Surgeons for two terms, Section Chair, Board of Directors for Doctors Nova Scotia, and Rural Specialist, Board of Directors with Doctors Nova Scotia. Dr. Smith is a life-long learner, teacher, mentor and role model.
In 1990, he married his wife, a fellow physician, who was born and raised in Cape Breton and they settled here in 1991 when Phil’s surgical career began. With an absolute love for Cape Breton from the outset; the people, the culture and the land, Phil and his family quickly became active members of the community.
He is dedicated to his community, and he has helped numerous organizations he believes in to expand and grow. He was the lead of the fundraising committee for the capital refurbishment of the Northern Yacht Club Junior Sail Program and the development of their Sail Able Program, a program for limited-ability sailors.
He also co-chaired the $5.5 million Cape Breton Cares Campaign for the development of the radiation wing of the CB Regional Cancer Centre.
Today, Cape Breton University confers the degree Doctor of Laws, honoris causa, on a man whose dedication to his profession not only changes the lives of his patients, but has also impacted the community for the better, Dr. Phil Smith.