Newsletter #12
Saturday, 14 May 2011 11:23 | 
Mount Doug Alumni Newsletter #12 - May 2011
Welcome to Newsletter #12!
We hope you will find it a useful way to stay in touch with your high school friends and the Mount Doug family. Here's a list of the topics covered in this issue:
I Am Mount Doug
Mount Doug 80th Celebration is taking shape
Wow!...
An incredible celebration of the spirit that defines a Mount Doug Alumnus is coming together very nicely. The Organizing Committee for the MD80 (the very definition of fun people) has been meeting weekly creating ideas, putting structure to plans, and identifying needs to ensure a great time for Mount Doug Alumni attending events, reunions, presentations, and parties beginning this coming November 11th through November 20th. There will be something for everyone - from student driven events to gatherings of the first students ever to walk the halls of Mount Doug in 1931. The plans to date include:
Details and a full calendar of events will be posted atwww.mountdougalumni.com. Updates will happen as plans complete. Registration for the MD80 Celebration will begin this summer.
News and updates will also be emailed so it's the right time to get everyone you know who attended Mount Doug to sign on to the Mount Doug Alumni website.
Want to register your reunion, sports challenge, or event OR just want more information or want to help out? Email mymountdoug@mountdougalumni.
Wendy Gedney (MD' 67) Mark Reed (MD' 71) Sue Williams (MD' 67) Pat Lanman (MD' 67) The Thing
We Need You
Are you an experienced editor, publisher, creative writer?
The Mount Doug 80th Celebration Committee is hoping to publish acommemorative book in conjunction with the events this November. The Committee has been soliciting stories from Alumni to illustrate the spirit and student life through the 80 years. We are seeking former students to form an editorial committee to take on this fun project and organize, compile and direct the publication of these stories in a book form. Expressions of interest to mymountdoug@mountdougalumni.
School News
Greetings from Rob House, acting principal,
After a number of months in the acting principal's chair I have been made aware of changes affecting the administration team at Mount Doug. I will be finishing a seven-year period of time at Mount Doug at the end of this year and transferring to Spectrum for the fall. I can say that these seven years have been wonderful, having worked with many great kids and families, the staff, and an enthusiastic alumni association as they prepare for the 80th celebration in November. The new principal for September will be Shawn Boulding, currently principal at Rockheights Middle School but bringing a wealth of secondary experience from his time at Central Junior and at Oak Bay Secondary. Also coming to Mount Doug will be a new second vice-principal for Mount Doug - Phil Pitre, who is currently vice-principal at Lambrick Park. These two gentlemen will be joining Gord Mitchell who will remain at Mount Doug as vice-principal. While I know the school will be in very good hands and I will miss this community, I will be joining you for the 80th celebrations!
Please do check out our most recent newsletter highlighting the many activities going on at the school. Of particular note, on page 5 there is a short article on "Student Vote" that makes mention of a student, Caleigh B who organized a forum for the four candidates for Saanich-Gulf Islands. This was a highly successful assembly in which the candidates presented their platforms and then were grilled… I mean, questioned by the student population on various issues. Afterward, students participated in a mock vote at proper ballot stations following similar procedures as regular elections. With voter turnout on a downward spiral in recent years, programs like "Student Vote" are very important for our young people to help them understand the democratic process and the integral part they will eventually play in electing leaders of our governments. Congratulations to Caleigh for organizing this important event for Mount Doug.
Regards,
Rob House
Note from the Mount Doug Alumni Association Board of Directors:
Dear Rob,
We wish you every success in your new position and thank you for all your hard work on behalf of Mount Doug School and the Alumni Association.
Sincerely
The Executive
Mount Doug Alumni Association
One On One - ...with Dr. Hubert Williston, Class of 1960
Hu, when did your family move to Victoria?
My elementary school years were spent in Prince George then, when I was 11, my father was elected to the provincial government and became Minister of Education so the family relocated to Victoria. From grades 7-9, I attended the brand new Lansdowne Junior High School and then went to Mount Doug for grades 10, 11, and 12.
How many students were in your graduating class of 1960?
I think there were only sixty-six of us; the school seemed really small after Lansdowne. Mr. Forster was principal; Mr. Muir, vice-principal. A few of the grade 11 and 12 boys had cars, but not many. In those days, $1.00 would buy a lot of gas!
Where did you go to university?
I did three years of a B.Sc in chemistry in Victoria then was accepted without a degree into the UBC Medical School, graduating in 1967. I did a one-year rotating internship at the Royal Victoria Hospital in Montreal, intending to then do a month of locum tenens in each of the ten provinces before seeking a residency in Psychiatry.
How did that plan work out?
Well, I did the first month in Matheson, Ontario then the second month in Bridgewater, Nova Scotia. However, that was as far as I got with the locum strategy because a group of us were recruited by the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) to provide aid to Nigeria during the Biafran civil war.
You must have had some interesting experiences in Nigeria. What kinds of cases did you see?
I worked in Ikeja General Hospital for nine months and then went to Niger Dams Hospital in Kainji, New Bussa, for twenty-seven months. I spent most of this time as the only physician in a small international community three hundred miles from Lagos, centered around a power project on the Niger River. During this time, I performed several hernia repairs under local anaesthesia and did a bowel resection on a strangulated hernia. I delivered babies, as well as performing caesarian sections using open drop ether or local. I performed a laparotomy for an acute abdomen that had resulted from a perforated ulcer. The patient was in shock and I gave a unit of my own O+ blood prior to the surgery. Sadly, the patient expired from peritonitis.
When did you leave Africa?
I came back to B.C. in 1971 and went into family practice in Terrace. At the time, the population was 11,000 and we served as regional medical center. I became senior partner in a five-member group after five years and was the alternative delegate for the region to the B.C. Medical Association.
You moved to the U.S. after leaving Terrace; when was that?
I was recruited to Baytown, Texas in 1976 by Gulf Coast Hospital and worked there in solo practice for ten years before joining San Jacinto Methodist Hospital as one of the first members in their new hospital project.
How did your practice differ in the U.S. from what you were used to in Canada?
I accepted all patients regardless of their ability to pay, as this was how I practiced in Canada and how I believed medicine should be practiced. I soon found I was seeing a large number of patients on Medicaid, which, in the late 1970s did not pay well. The clinic manager at Gulf Coast Hospital advised me to restrict the number of these patients or become known as a "Medicaid" doctor. I rejected his advice and by the early 1980s, sixty percent of my practice was Medicaid. At this time, the government began encouraging uninsured pregnant women to sign on to Medicaid and thus my obstetric and newborn practice increased until, in the early 1990s, I was delivering 300 babies a year.
What are you doing now?
After twenty-nine years in private practice, I closed my office, taking most of my patients with me, and moved to San Jacinto Family Medicine group as a faculty member. I'm now the only faculty member who is assigned to clinic five days a week while maintaining a busy practice seeing patients of all ages and still doing limited obstetrics. I also see a great number of people with chronic pain - patients that some doctors find difficult to manage - and am certified to manage those who are opiate dependant with the newer medication, buprenorphone.
You've delivered hundreds of babies…do you have children of your own?
My ex-wife and I have three daughters, two of whom I delivered in Nigeria, and two sons. And, I'm happy to say that I have eight grandchildren!
Thank you very much, Hu.
Did You Know?...
Welcome to Newsletter #12!
We hope you will find it a useful way to stay in touch with your high school friends and the Mount Doug family. Here's a list of the topics covered in this issue:
- MD 80 - an update on all the exciting activities planned for Mount Doug's 80th birthday
- School News - what's happening at school now.
- Note from the Alumni Association Directors
- One on One - an interview with 1960 Mount Doug grad, Dr. Hu Williston.
- Did You Know? - a few memory joggers.
- Reunions - a run-down of coming reunions.
I Am Mount Doug
Mount Doug 80th Celebration is taking shape Wow!...
An incredible celebration of the spirit that defines a Mount Doug Alumnus is coming together very nicely. The Organizing Committee for the MD80 (the very definition of fun people) has been meeting weekly creating ideas, putting structure to plans, and identifying needs to ensure a great time for Mount Doug Alumni attending events, reunions, presentations, and parties beginning this coming November 11th through November 20th. There will be something for everyone - from student driven events to gatherings of the first students ever to walk the halls of Mount Doug in 1931. The plans to date include:
- A massive reunion of anyone who ever played an instrument for the Mount Doug Band - Len Michaux has pulled resources from all over the community to accommodate a cast of hundreds to come to the school for a jam session on November 11th - sure to be a glorious noise as many probably haven't practised in years. For more information go towww.mountdougalumni.com
- "Tea Dance" - the afternoon of November 12th at the original campus - live band taking you down "memory lane" specifically for Alumni who attended in the 30's, 40's and 50's
- "Homecoming Dance" - night of November 12th at the current campus - book a classroom space for your class as "home room" for visiting and reminiscing while taking advantage of great tunes in the gym. Could be a long night!
- A Mount Doug Showcase - November 18th - Alix Goolden Hall. An amazing night featuring Mount Doug Alumni who have "made it" in musical theatre, dance, and more.
- The Gala - a very special event - UVic Centre - November 19th. The grand finale - details and special guests to be announced - sure to be the most talked-about event of the whole MD80 Celebration.
- Visual arts event - a "gallery night" featuring the talents of Mount Doug Alumni
- Showcase of Academic Achievement
- A film festival featuring film makers and actors with whom we went to school
- Sports Challenges and reunions
- Fashion show
- Class reunions and so much more
Details and a full calendar of events will be posted atwww.mountdougalumni.com. Updates will happen as plans complete. Registration for the MD80 Celebration will begin this summer.News and updates will also be emailed so it's the right time to get everyone you know who attended Mount Doug to sign on to the Mount Doug Alumni website.
Want to register your reunion, sports challenge, or event OR just want more information or want to help out? Email mymountdoug@mountdougalumni.
Wendy Gedney (MD' 67) Mark Reed (MD' 71) Sue Williams (MD' 67) Pat Lanman (MD' 67) The Thing
We Need You
Are you an experienced editor, publisher, creative writer?
The Mount Doug 80th Celebration Committee is hoping to publish acommemorative book in conjunction with the events this November. The Committee has been soliciting stories from Alumni to illustrate the spirit and student life through the 80 years. We are seeking former students to form an editorial committee to take on this fun project and organize, compile and direct the publication of these stories in a book form. Expressions of interest to mymountdoug@mountdougalumni.School News
Greetings from Rob House, acting principal,
After a number of months in the acting principal's chair I have been made aware of changes affecting the administration team at Mount Doug. I will be finishing a seven-year period of time at Mount Doug at the end of this year and transferring to Spectrum for the fall. I can say that these seven years have been wonderful, having worked with many great kids and families, the staff, and an enthusiastic alumni association as they prepare for the 80th celebration in November. The new principal for September will be Shawn Boulding, currently principal at Rockheights Middle School but bringing a wealth of secondary experience from his time at Central Junior and at Oak Bay Secondary. Also coming to Mount Doug will be a new second vice-principal for Mount Doug - Phil Pitre, who is currently vice-principal at Lambrick Park. These two gentlemen will be joining Gord Mitchell who will remain at Mount Doug as vice-principal. While I know the school will be in very good hands and I will miss this community, I will be joining you for the 80th celebrations!Please do check out our most recent newsletter highlighting the many activities going on at the school. Of particular note, on page 5 there is a short article on "Student Vote" that makes mention of a student, Caleigh B who organized a forum for the four candidates for Saanich-Gulf Islands. This was a highly successful assembly in which the candidates presented their platforms and then were grilled… I mean, questioned by the student population on various issues. Afterward, students participated in a mock vote at proper ballot stations following similar procedures as regular elections. With voter turnout on a downward spiral in recent years, programs like "Student Vote" are very important for our young people to help them understand the democratic process and the integral part they will eventually play in electing leaders of our governments. Congratulations to Caleigh for organizing this important event for Mount Doug.
Regards,
Rob House
Note from the Mount Doug Alumni Association Board of Directors:
Dear Rob,
We wish you every success in your new position and thank you for all your hard work on behalf of Mount Doug School and the Alumni Association.
Sincerely
The Executive
Mount Doug Alumni Association
One On One - ...with Dr. Hubert Williston, Class of 1960
Hu, when did your family move to Victoria?
My elementary school years were spent in Prince George then, when I was 11, my father was elected to the provincial government and became Minister of Education so the family relocated to Victoria. From grades 7-9, I attended the brand new Lansdowne Junior High School and then went to Mount Doug for grades 10, 11, and 12.
How many students were in your graduating class of 1960?
I think there were only sixty-six of us; the school seemed really small after Lansdowne. Mr. Forster was principal; Mr. Muir, vice-principal. A few of the grade 11 and 12 boys had cars, but not many. In those days, $1.00 would buy a lot of gas!
Where did you go to university?
I did three years of a B.Sc in chemistry in Victoria then was accepted without a degree into the UBC Medical School, graduating in 1967. I did a one-year rotating internship at the Royal Victoria Hospital in Montreal, intending to then do a month of locum tenens in each of the ten provinces before seeking a residency in Psychiatry.
How did that plan work out?
Well, I did the first month in Matheson, Ontario then the second month in Bridgewater, Nova Scotia. However, that was as far as I got with the locum strategy because a group of us were recruited by the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) to provide aid to Nigeria during the Biafran civil war.
You must have had some interesting experiences in Nigeria. What kinds of cases did you see?
I worked in Ikeja General Hospital for nine months and then went to Niger Dams Hospital in Kainji, New Bussa, for twenty-seven months. I spent most of this time as the only physician in a small international community three hundred miles from Lagos, centered around a power project on the Niger River. During this time, I performed several hernia repairs under local anaesthesia and did a bowel resection on a strangulated hernia. I delivered babies, as well as performing caesarian sections using open drop ether or local. I performed a laparotomy for an acute abdomen that had resulted from a perforated ulcer. The patient was in shock and I gave a unit of my own O+ blood prior to the surgery. Sadly, the patient expired from peritonitis.
When did you leave Africa?
I came back to B.C. in 1971 and went into family practice in Terrace. At the time, the population was 11,000 and we served as regional medical center. I became senior partner in a five-member group after five years and was the alternative delegate for the region to the B.C. Medical Association.
You moved to the U.S. after leaving Terrace; when was that?
I was recruited to Baytown, Texas in 1976 by Gulf Coast Hospital and worked there in solo practice for ten years before joining San Jacinto Methodist Hospital as one of the first members in their new hospital project.
How did your practice differ in the U.S. from what you were used to in Canada?
I accepted all patients regardless of their ability to pay, as this was how I practiced in Canada and how I believed medicine should be practiced. I soon found I was seeing a large number of patients on Medicaid, which, in the late 1970s did not pay well. The clinic manager at Gulf Coast Hospital advised me to restrict the number of these patients or become known as a "Medicaid" doctor. I rejected his advice and by the early 1980s, sixty percent of my practice was Medicaid. At this time, the government began encouraging uninsured pregnant women to sign on to Medicaid and thus my obstetric and newborn practice increased until, in the early 1990s, I was delivering 300 babies a year.
What are you doing now?
After twenty-nine years in private practice, I closed my office, taking most of my patients with me, and moved to San Jacinto Family Medicine group as a faculty member. I'm now the only faculty member who is assigned to clinic five days a week while maintaining a busy practice seeing patients of all ages and still doing limited obstetrics. I also see a great number of people with chronic pain - patients that some doctors find difficult to manage - and am certified to manage those who are opiate dependant with the newer medication, buprenorphone.
You've delivered hundreds of babies…do you have children of your own?
My ex-wife and I have three daughters, two of whom I delivered in Nigeria, and two sons. And, I'm happy to say that I have eight grandchildren!
Thank you very much, Hu.
Did You Know?...
- The Hon. Ray Williston was Minister of Education in the W.A.C. Bennett Social Credit Government from 1954 to 1956 and Minister of Lands and Forests, 1956 to 1972.
- Williston Lake, near Fort St. John, is named after him.
- Lansdowne Junior High School, now Lansdowne Middle School, opened in 1955.
