25th Anniversary Countdown!

People with Parkinson’s whose lives were touched by Dr. J. David Grimes came to know a brilliant doctor with a distinctively compassionate disposition.

	It was simply his nature. Dr. Grimes died in the spring of 2001, after years of dedicated service in many different medical areas, including the study and treatment of Parkinson’s.

A few career highlights include:

Director of the Parkinson’s Clinic at The Ottawa Hospital (1977-1997)
Member of the Board of Directors and Executive Committee of the Loeb Research Institute and its first Executive Director
Senior Vice-President Research and Academic Affairs at the Ottawa Civic Hospital (1986 to 1988)
Member of the Ottawa Civic Hospital Foundation

Dr. Grimes also served as Medical Advisor to the Parkinson’s Society of Ottawa-Carleton for many years. He was instrumental in forging a strong partnership between the Society and The Civic Hospital (now part of The Ottawa Hospital) that still exists today.

Together with Society President Ken Lister in the early 1980s, he persuaded the Civic Hospital to provide suitable space for the Society’s programs and services.


In 1989, Dr. Grimes’ first edition of One Step at a Time was published – a comprehensive book with clear and concise Parkinson’s information for patients and their families, caregivers, and heath care professionals.

	It has been revised and expanded upon twice since then. The latest edition was co-written by his son and fellow neurologist, David A. Grimes. It is considered to be one of the best reference guides to understanding and coping with Parkinson’s available today.

One of six children, David Grimes Jr. followed in his father’s footsteps to become a respected neurologist, also specializing in Parkinson’s research. But, he says, his father never steered him into becoming a neurologist or even a doctor, but that the choice evolved as he watched and admired his father over the years. Growing up in such a large family seemed chaotic at times, but, he says, there was always great love at home.

Dr. Grimes Sr. had a special way with all his patients. After several serious health setbacks later in life (lung transplant in 1991, Hodgkin’s Disease in 1995), he often spoke about how being a patient made him a better doctor. Too often, he said, doctors would treat an illness without looking at the whole patient and the family. While he was a firm believer in being honest with his patients even when the prognosis was not good, he also felt a duty to try to provide as much hope as possible. From One Step at a Time, he writes: “Patients will do better and be more comfortable with their illness if they have hope.


The best strategies to enhance hope are: the relationship between the patient and the treatment team is a partnership; there is open sharing of information; and the emphasis is on potential rather than limitations.”

	He was known for remembering the little things about his patients; he remembered everyone’s name even when he was very sick. Above all, he was humble, and felt lucky to be a doctor. Those who knew him would say they were lucky to have him as their doctor. He is still very much missed today, but his legacy continues.