Ste-Justine Hospital confirmed on Tuesday the death of one of its pediatricians, Alain Sirard, a doctor who was under investigation by the Quebec College of Physicians.
“We have lost a great defender of the rights of children who worked at Ste-Justine for several decades, who was also strongly involved in providing care and in the teaching of future pediatricians,” the hospital said in a statement.
“We offer our most sincere condolences to his family and loved ones. Our thoughts are also with our personnel, for whom support is being offered.”
Montreal police confirmed that they found the body of “a member of the hospital personnel” shortly after 5 a.m. Tuesday. Police have ruled the death a suicide.
Caroline Langis, a spokesperson for the College of Physicians, said the disciplinary order was still investigating Sirard. Langis said that Sirard had been the subject of at least one complaint.
La Presse reported on Nov. 23 that the board of directors of Quebec’s largest pediatric hospital had reached a decision on Sirard. In April 2013, La Presse reported the concerns of a couple who claimed that Sirard had suspected without reason that their child had been the victim of abuse.
