Artwork of Dr. Beveridge by Sherry Reynard
As the Lake of the Woods District Hospital Foundation concludes its Beyond the Scan campaign, the memory of Dr. James Eaton Beveridge, affectionately known to so many as Dr. B, continues to inspire and uplift.
A fixture in Kenora’s medical community for nearly five decades, Dr. Beveridge arrived in 1972 for what was meant to be a temporary posting. He quickly fell in love with the community, its people, and the remote beauty of Sioux Narrows, where he spent treasured time at the family cottage. Though his path could have led elsewhere, Dr. B chose Kenora and in doing so, chose to dedicate his life to generations of patients in northwestern Ontario.
“He dedicated his life to providing care for each and every one of his patients,” shared Dr. Sean Moore, current Chief of Staff at Lake of the Woods District Hospital (LWDH). “Making house calls, delivering babies, healing and guiding families through life and death. He was known for delivering thousands of babies, including multiple generations of families, and worked closely with the midwifery team.”
Even in formal leadership roles, including Chief of Staff, Dr. B remained a humble and devoted mentor and teacher to medical students, residents, and colleagues. “He was there for those young doctors,” Dr. Moore recalled. “Some of them are still with us at the hospital today.”
Until his reluctant retirement in 2018, Dr. B served in nearly every capacity imaginable: from in-office visits to in-patient care, from obstetrics and oncology to emergency department shifts and surgical deliveries. He brought in the first chemotherapy treatments to LWDH, making lifesaving care more accessible for cancer patients and families. His golden retrievers often accompanied him during hospital rounds, one of many ways he brought comfort and warmth into clinical spaces.
“He did dedicate his life to intergenerational care,” his wife Geri reflected. “Even in retirement, patients would drop by our home for advice. His memory and compassion never faded. He never stopped caring for and about people.”
Over the decades, Dr. Beveridge made countless palliative care visits to patients at home and in hospital. The Kenora Community Hospice was named in his honour, a tribute to the quiet dignity he offered those nearing the end of life. “He believed it was more dignified to die at home, surrounded by family,” said Geri.
He was also a builder. As a founder and former president of the Kenora Medical Centre (now Paterson Medical Centre), Dr. B helped assemble the physician team that shaped how care was delivered in the region. He forged strong relationships with First Nations communities well before formal pathways existed simply by showing up, listening, and offering help. His legacy remains in the hospital’s halls, in the teams he mentored, and in the families he served through generations.
The Beveridge family’s support for the Lake of the Woods District Hospital Foundation was also generous and lasting. Beyond their financial contributions, both Jim and Geri offered thoughtful counsel to Foundation leaders, especially when planning for future equipment and care. “When capital campaigns were launched, he was always on board,” recalled Geri.
Today, as the Foundation raises funds for a fully equipped regional Diagnostic Imaging Suite including Kenora’s first-ever MRI, a new CT scanner, and upgraded mammography equipment, Dr. Beveridge’s life’s work continues to guide our vision for the future of local healthcare. In his memory, many have chosen to give the Beyond the Scan Campaign, helping to ensure that advanced, compassionate care remains close to home.
We are deeply grateful to the Beveridge family for their enduring support, and to all those who honour Dr. B’s legacy. His example reminds us that exceptional care is built not only with modern equipment but with dedication, humility, and heart.