Dr. F. Estelle R. Simons was a long-time CHRIM member whose groundbreaking work reshaped how allergic diseases are understood and treated globally. Dr. Simons was a leading presence in clinical immunology and allergy as an educator and mentor, and through her leadership of national and international professional organizations and initiatives in the field. Read more about her amazing career and accomplishments with the Canadian Medical Hall of Fame article below:
http://cdnmedhall.ca/news/honoring-legacy-cmhf-laureate-f-estelle-r-simons-md
Join us in honouring the life and work of Dr. Estelle Simons by sharing a memory, thought, or kind words below. Please note, you will not see your entry right away as it needs to approved by website administration before appearing.
15 entries.
Elinor,
On behalf of the Department of Pediatrics and Child Health, please accept my sincere sympathy on the loss of your mother. She was an inspiring trailblazer who is missed by all.
Patricia Birk
Always grateful for Dr. Simons for her dedication and leadership. Sending thoughts to her loved ones.
Dr Estelle Simons was a global leader of allergy and anaphylaxis. My first vivid memory of her is at the 2006 meeting of the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology, when she was the outgoing president (the first non-Canadian to hold this role!). At the time, I was a first year MSc student. I recall being profoundly inspired by her accomplishments, and remain so now. She always had an encouraging word, and she will be remembered with profound respect and gratitude.
It was a privilege to work with Dr. F. Estelle Simons when I first began my career at the University of Manitoba. She was not only an exceptional scientist and leader, but also a wonderful mentor whose kindness, wisdom, and dedication inspired those around her. Dr. Simons served as a true role model, and I am grateful for the guidance and encouragement she provided. Her impact on the research community and on the many people she mentored will be remembered for years to come.
I was introduced to Estelle as a newly-recruited faculty in the Department of Immunology and the CIHR National Training Program in Allergy and Asthma. I understood she was an important leader in our team of clinical allergy researchers but it took some time to appreciate that she was a true giant in the field internationally. I wish I would have gotten to know her better!
I have many fond memories of Dr. Simons, especially from the time we worked closely together during her presidency of the AAAAI. As others have noted, her dedication to patients, science (and the Academy) was evident in everything she did.
I smile when I think about visiting pharmaceutical companies with her in a stretch Hummer limousine simply because that was the vehicle the car service happened to send. I smile when I remember unexpectedly running into her at DCA and hearing her say, “You are just the person I wanted to see.” We sat down, discussed Academy business, and then continued on our separate journeys without ever asking why the other happened to be there.
I also smile when I recall the joy she took in sharing stories about the places she and Keith had traveled and in talking about their children. Her warmth, enthusiasm, and genuine interest in others left a lasting impression.
Rest in peace, Dr. Simons. Through your dedication, kindness, and leadership, you truly made the world a better place.
I love Dr. Estelle Simons. She was kind and gentle person. She cared a lot about her patients and colleagues. She was very supportive of my research grant application when I started working here as staff in Pediatric Neurology over 2 decades ago. She always inquired about how my work and research was going. I miss her lots.
Dr Simons is a legend in the field of allergy and was a wonderful teacher and mentor. She will be dearly missed. May her memory be a blessing.
I had the pleasure of working in the Pediatric Allergy department at HSC in the 1990's as a medical secretary. Dr. Simons required diligence, patience, and near perfection from me and I was more than willing to oblige her. I admired her as she passionately dedicated countless hours and dedication to good research and science and to the children she was helping. I learned a great deal from her and have carried it with me into other areas of my career and life. I am forever grateful for her kindness to me.
I had the honor and pleasure of working closely with Estelle on the AAAAI Board and on various writing projects. She was one of the most knowledgeable, meticulous, and conscientious colleagues I have ever known. She will be sorely missed!
Dr. Estelle Simons was a kind role model who always greeted me with a warm smile and a heartfelt hug. Dr. Estelle Simons was my office neighbour when I was still a student (at MICH), and she became someone I looked up to. Through her teaching and writing, she inspired my path in clinical research in Allergy & Immunology and in caring for children and families.
As someone who is not in the allergy and immunology field I remember Dr Estelle Simons as a kind heart and smiling face on the floors of CHRIM. Although her reputation proceeded her with numerous accolades and international awards she was always a very generous person who was always happy to ask me about my research and career aspirations. It was such a pleasure to have known her.
I met Dr. Estelle early in my career and had numerous opportunities to work with her in multidisciplinary projects. most notably the CIHR National Training Program in Allergy and Asthma based at U Manitoba. Her insights about research training for clinicians, and opportunities for PhDs to work with clinician researchers to advance translational research are things I apply to this day. I recall asking her to give a research presentation in Respirology, and to save her effort in her incredibly busy schedule I indicated she could use a talk "already in the can". She answered "I do not do canned talks. I organize them for each audience". A telling approach, that demonstrates her commitment to excellence, doing things the right (and best) way, and for wanting always deliver important messages. I'm proud to say I trained and worked with Dr Estelle Simons, and her positive impact on many of us are an important legacy.
There are many awards that crystallize what Dr. Estelle Simons has meant to the field of Allergy and Clinical Immunology locally, nationally and internationally. In addition, I especially remember Estelle for her relentless dedication to improving the care of children and their families who come to our hospital. Incredible role model for me and for so many.