Dr. Michael Downing

The Canadian Hospice Palliative Care Association was delighted to announce that Dr. Michael Downing is the recipient of the 2012 Balfour Mount Champion Award in recognition of his outstanding contribution to the field of palliative care in Canada.

Dr. Downing has been in the palliative care field for over 30 years and currently serves as Director of the Research and Development office at Victoria Hospice, which was formed in 2007 to provide support and coordination for providing research.  Over the years Dr. Downing has served in several capacities, including: Clinical Associate Professor, University of British Columbia, Cancer Agency, as well as Palliative Medicine Consultant, BC Cancer Agency.  Dr. Downing has served on a number of national and provincial committees and is the founding President of the BC Hospice Palliative Care Association.

Dr. Downing was born in Guelph, Ontario and currently lives in Victoria, BC with his wife Terry, who is a palliative care nurse.  Michael has 5 children and 8 grandchildren.