Nanaimo physician Dr. Robin Love has been awarded the Order of British Columbia, the province’s highest honour. The recognition celebrates his outstanding leadership, commitment to education, and dedication to improving palliative care both in Canada and abroad.
For more than 26 years, Dr. Love has been a central figure in advancing compassionate end-of-life care on Vancouver Island. His work has touched countless patients and families while setting a model for healthcare professionals across the province and beyond.
The provincial government described him as a visionary leader who transformed palliative care services. His approach has inspired a global standard of care that prioritizes compassion, equity, and dignity for patients in their final stages of life.
Beyond his clinical work, Dr. Love is known as an inspiring educator. Through his roles at the University of British Columbia and the University of Victoria, he has trained hundreds of medical professionals. His influence extends internationally through teaching programs that focus on palliative care, helping to raise healthcare standards worldwide.
In the early 1990s, Dr. Love founded the palliative care unit at Nanaimo Regional General Hospital. What began as a modest six-bed facility on the fifth floor later expanded and relocated to the hospital’s bottom floor. The unit now houses 12 beds and continues to serve the community as a vital healthcare service.
His impact is not limited to British Columbia. In 2006, Dr. Love established a formal partnership with Bhaktapur Cancer Hospital in Nepal. Since then, he has made eleven trips to the country, offering mentorship and hands-on training to health professionals. This collaboration has strengthened local palliative care services and created long-term benefits for patients in the region.
Dr. Love also serves as a director of the Two Worlds Cancer Collaboration, an organization that supports a range of healthcare programs in Nepal. Many of these initiatives were founded or guided by his expertise, further extending his legacy of care and education.
His achievements have been recognized before. In May 2014, the College of Physicians and Surgeons of British Columbia presented him with the Award of Excellence in Medical Practice. This honour reflected his exceptional dedication to the community and his tireless efforts to improve patient care.
The Order of British Columbia is given each year to individuals who have made significant contributions to the well-being of the province and its people. The award recognizes achievements in a variety of fields, from community service to the arts and sciences. Dr. Love’s appointment highlights the critical role of palliative care in healthcare systems and the importance of compassion in medical practice.
This year, a total of 15 people were appointed to the Order. They will be formally recognized during a ceremony at Government House in Victoria on September 16. The event will celebrate their contributions and allow the public to honour their achievements.
For Dr. Love, the award reflects decades of dedication, vision, and a belief in the power of education to create lasting change. His work continues to influence not only the medical community in British Columbia but also healthcare systems in countries far from home. By combining medical expertise with compassion, he has built a legacy that will inspire future generations of healthcare providers.
