Passed away peacefully with his family present at St. Patrick's Home of Ottawa on Oct. 22, 2024, in his 81st year. Beloved husband of the late Ilze Bormanis. Loving father of Michael and Katrina. Dear son of the late Michails and Marta Bormanis.
Born in Riga, Janis and his parents departed wartime Latvia in 1944. The ensuing five years were spent in displaced persons refugee camps in Germany, after which the Bormanis family immigrated to Canada in 1949, settling in Ottawa.
Janis graduated from Ottawa Technical High School and pursued post-secondary studies at the University of Ottawa, obtaining his MD in 1969 and his fellowship in hematology (FRCPC) in 1974. An illustrious career followed at The Ottawa Hospital (TOH) from 1974 to 2012, as well as the University of Ottawa faculty of medicine.
Dr. Bormanis was a distinguished, highly esteemed hematologist and professor, a leader in clinical and academic medicine. He is fondly remembered as an outstanding clinician, and a supremely gifted and dedicated teacher, one whose innovative and interactive instructional style was forward-thinking. He inspired many trainees, with his "lab-to-bedside" approach, to pursue careers as hematologists, and was a mentor to many, as well as a generous colleague.
A pioneering figure, Dr. Bormanis spearheaded interest in venous thromboembolic diseases with his practice. He co-founded Thrombosis Canada (formerly the Canada-wide Thrombosis Interest Group). His deep interest for thrombosis laid the groundwork for The Ottawa Hospital's renowned thrombosis program, which leads in thrombosis clinical care and research.
Dr. Bormanis, alongside Dr. Ian Hart, was equally instrumental in bringing forth the adoption of the observed structured clinical examination (OSCE) in Canadian medical education and launching TOH into the era of digital and online learning. As a physician and educator, he excelled at bridging clinical and laboratory hematology. Of the latter, Dr. Bormanis also served many years as a hematology consultant for Dynacare Laboratories.
His professional contributions over the course of his 38-year career were myriad. Notably he was: chief, division of general medicine, department of medicine at TOH; internal medicine program director (TOH); director of the Learning Centre, (TOH-University of Ottawa); chief, division of hematology (TOH-Civic); director, laboratory hematology, (Ottawa Regional Cancer Centre); president, medical staff (TOH); vice-chief hematopathology, (TOH); and examiner for the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons, internal medicine.
Janis was a deeply loved, devoted husband and father and a stalwart friend. He was greatly admired by his family, friends and peers, inspiring all to strive for excellence, whatever their field. He was passionate about wine, travelling to many wine-producing regions, particularly California, as well as fine cuisine. He was a lifelong devotee of classical music, especially opera, and an ardent enthusiast of water sports, including windsurfing, kayaking and sculling, which he enjoyed practising, most of all, at Lac Sam, site of his cherished cottage retreat.
The family extends a special thanks to Dr. Wilson, the nursing staff, and personal support workers at St. Patrick's Home (Kilkenny Wing), where he was a resident from 2022 to 2024. They would also like to thank his physiotherapists, Pat Fejes, Erin Morgan Donnelly, Veronique Audet, and physiotherapist assistant Grace Morel, all of whom, in their respective capacities, provided compassionate care.
In lieu of flowers, in memoriam donations to The Ottawa Hospital Foundation are greatly appreciated. Condolences, tributes and donations may also be made through Hulse, Playfair & McGarry.