Photo (From Left to Right): Dr. Wes Reimer, President, Medical Staff Association; Sister Louise Dillon, Director of Mission and Pastoral Services; Dr. Debbie Dooler; Dr. David Ceglie, Chief Executive Officer
Focusing on the mission, vision, and values of Hotel Dieu Shaver and continuing the healing mission of the Religious Hospitallers of St. Joseph (RHSJ), Hotel Dieu Shaver’s annual RHSJ Physician Excellence Award honours an HDS physician who demonstrates, in their clinical practice, the core concepts of person- and family-centred care, including dignity and respect, information sharing, participation, and collaboration.
This year, at Hotel Dieu Shaver’s RHSJ Physician Excellence Award Presentation held on Doctors’ Day (May 1, 2025), we extended our congratulations to all four nominees and were delighted to share that this year’s recipient is Dr. Debbie Dooler.
Although Dr. Dooler joined our hospital just over a year ago, she has already made an extraordinary impact on our patients, staff, and the entire HDS community. Calm, compassionate, and collaborative, Dr. Dooler is a physician who listens deeply — to patients, families, and colleagues alike. She responds quickly, checks in often, and is always available when needed. Patients regularly praise the time she takes at the bedside, ensuring they understand their care plan and feel supported with evidence-informed options.
Her colleagues describe her as a true team player: someone who invites input, shows gratitude, and brings warmth and good humour even on the most challenging days. Dr. Dooler’s spirit of inquiry, thirst for knowledge, and unwavering dedication to compassionate care have made her a natural leader within our hospital.
Dr. Dooler’s path to medicine reflects a remarkable journey of determination and service. Inspired to become a physician while raising a young family, she earned her nursing diploma before ultimately completing her MD and family medicine residency. Along the way, she has cared for patients in walk-in clinics and palliative care settings and has worked to build equitable, community-based supports for end-of-life care.
Dr. Dooler is the embodiment of lifelong learning, tireless compassion, and patient-centered excellence. We are honoured to celebrate her contributions to our HDS family.
Please join us in congratulating Dr. Debbie Dooler on this well-deserved recognition!
