Dalhousie Medical Alumni Association recognizes Dr. James A. Phills
Alumnus of the Year - Current Recipient
Dr. James A. Phills, Class of 1951
Since 1968 the Alumnus of the Year Award has recognized a medical graduate who is considered to have made a significant contribution to medicine, in one or more aspects, including clinical expertise.
Jim (son of Isaac and Alda Phills) grew up in Sydney, his parents having come from St. Vincent, B.W.I. After his BSC at Acadia, he joined the Class of '51 in 1946.
He did general practice in Montreal, then postgraduate in Internal Medicine at McGill, including a Msc. And the FRCP (C). Jim became an Assistant Professor there with an Allergy subspeciality. He served as President of the Allergists' Association of Quebec, as well as host of Community Agencies, such as the Afro-American Communnity Centre, Black Alumni Association and others.
After 25 years of practice in Montreal, Jim went slightly south of Plattsburgh NY, again to practice Internal Medicine, focusing on Allergy and Asthma, with staff priviledges at the Champlain Valley Hospital Community service continued to be a large part of his life, particularly in Rotary, United Way, Community College and Allergy, Asthma awareness programs in schools.
Medical qualifications in Jim's C-V include: Board certified in Internal Medicine, Allergy and Immunology, Fellow of the Americn Academy of Allergy and immunology and Member of the American College of Physicians.
Retirement came along in 1993, so now he and his wife of 50 years, Gerine, divide their year between Plattsburgh and golf at Sarasota. They have a son and a daughter, one of whom is a professor at Stanford.
James Phills was our first Black Canadian Medical School Graduate and his experiences as such from 1946-51 in our school were discussed at his presentation. In his own words of acceptance he said: "For the most part I was accepted and well received by the faculty and friends. In fact I had a lot of fun and good times. Most of our class were War Veterans who had fought for Democracy and Human Rights. We accepted each other, worked togethr, and partied. We really had a Brotherhood and I can say that I really felt a part of Medical School and an integral art of the Class of '1951".
As an outgoing and "regular guy" Jim was pledged by Phi Chi Fraternity along with others. The Chapter felt that he was as much a member as anyone. But the Fraternity rules excluded accepting Backs. In spite of a forceful plea in 1949 at the Chapter convention in Georgia, no change took place. Years later the civil rights movement began in the South. The Class of '51 and Nu Sigma at Dalhousie never wavered in their regard and acceptance of our Jim Phills.
In his closing remarks, Jim said, "I entered Dalhousie Medical School determined to become a Physician, determined to be the best Physician that I could be. Dalhousie gave me that opportunity and now this honour, and I am humbly grateful."
The Medical Alumni Association is pleased to recognize James Phills as the newest Alumnus of the Year.
James A. Phills, M.D. M.Sc. F.R.C.P. [C]
Dr. James A. Phills Sr. died January 23, 2010 in Sarasota, Florida.
Born September 25th, 1925 in Sydney, Nova Scotia, Canada to Alda and Isaac Phills, Jim was an outstanding student who earned a B.Sc. from Acadia University, an M.D. from Dalhousie University, and a M.Sc. from McGill University. He was a Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons, a Fellow of the American Academy of Allergy and Immunology, a member of the American College of Physicians and Surgeons.
Jim practiced medicine for many years in Montreal, where he also served as an Assistant Professor at McGill University and President of the Association of Allergists and Immunologists of Quebec. He served on the board of number of community organizations including the Montreal Negro Alumni Group, the Open Door Society, the Montreal Afro-American Community Center (as President), and the Chazy Lake Association (as a founder and President).
Later in his career, he moved Plattsburgh, N.Y. where he worked in private practice for 15 years and was on the staff of the Champlain Valley Physicians Hospital.
Throughout his distinguished medical career, Jim was known a brilliant diagnostician and a caring doctor with an irrepressible sense of humor.
In 1993, he retired to Sarasota, Florida where he became an avid golfer, a loyal member of Rotary International, and an active member of the Meadows community.
He is survived by survived by his wife of 60 years, Gerine; his son James A. Phills, Jr., daughter-in-law Deborah H Gruenfeld and their two daughters India and Dayssi Phills; his brothers Neville, Charles, and George Phills; and his sisters, Gertrude Tynes and Patsy Richardson.
He was predeceased by his daughter, Wendi Anne Phills, and sister, Doreen Best.
A memorial service and reception will be held at National Cremation Association & Memorial Center at 2990 Bee Ridge Road in Sarasota, FL in Sarasota on Saturday March 6, 2010 at 3 pm.
A second memorial service will be held in London, Ontario Canada where his ashes will be interred at Forest Lawn Memorial Gardens in the summer of 2010.
Friends and Family may contact National Cremation Association at 941-923-9535 for details of the service and reception.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to establish the James A. Phills M.D. Memorial Award, c/o External Relations, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, B3H 3J5, Canada (Tel: 902-494-8801 or Toll Free 1-800-565-9969) or to Tidewell Hospice (www.tidewell.org).
