Professor Myre Sim

Formerly Professor of Psychiatry at the University of Ottawa, Canada

Professor Sim was born in Scotland on 2 October 1914. He completed his medical and psychiatric training at the University of Edinburgh and was later appointed Professor of Psychiatry at the University of Birmingham. In 1971, he was a founding member of the Royal College of Psychiatrists. He was also elected a Fellow of the American Psychiatric Association. In 1975, he emigrated to Canada, to take up the position of Professor of Psychiatry at the University of Ottawa. Some years later, he and his wife moved to Victoria, British Columbia, where he worked as a consultant psychiatrist.

Myre Sim was a renowned author and contributor to medical agencies and journals. His textbook, Basic Psychiatry, was a popular publication for medical students and graduates alike. He was a consultant to numerous prestigious agencies, including the World Health Organization, and he was involved in publishing pamphlets on various psychiatric topics up to a few months before his passing.

Myre Sim had strong opinions regarding the major ethical problems facing psychiatry today and such opinions tend to foster both vocal advocates and adversaries. As is typical of the medical profession, the old adage, De mortuis nil nisi bonum, will hopefully be honoured at this time.

Professor Sim was predeceased by his wife many years ago and he did not have any children. He remained quite active until he suffered a fractured hip a month before his death on 22 August 2009.

Myre Sim was a most entertaining dinner companion, and knowledgeable on every subject. He was very proud of his Scottish heritage and he had a special regard for Robert Burns, whom he could quote at length.

In the Gaelic tongue, we bid you farewell, for we shall not see your like again!

Slán agus Beannacht (Goodbye and God Bless).