Professor James C Petrie CBE (1941-2001)
A memorial service to mark the life and work of an Aberdeen professor who led the way in setting standards of patient care in the UK and abroad has taken place today (Friday, ).
Professor James Petrie joined the University of Aberdeen’s Department of Medicine and Therapeutics as a Senior Lecturer in 1969 and subsequently held the Chair of Medicine and Therapeutics and became Head of Department. Among his many achievements in an outstanding career, he was President of the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh between 1997 and 2000.
A memorial service to mark his death on August 31 last year was held in King’s College Chapel, Old Aberdeen, at 12 noon.
Professor Petrie, who was made a CBE in 1996, died aged 59, leaving a legacy of setting standards for care, which made him highly-regarded throughout the world’s health community. He established the Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network (Sign) and helped develop more than 50 clinical guidelines in diverse medical fields. The Sign guidelines are now recognised internationally as the gold standards by which advice on best practice in the treatment of disease should be developed.
At the time of his death, Professor Petrie was chairing expert groups on best practice for guideline development for both the Council of Europe and the World Health Organisation.
Representatives from the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh were among those attending today’s service, along with many colleagues from the University of Aberdeen.
Today’s service was conducted by the Very Rev Professor Alan Main, former Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland.
Professor C Duncan Rice, Principal and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Aberdeen welcomed the congregration to remember the life and career of Professor Petrie. Tributes were given by Professor John D Cash, Past President, Royal College of Physicians, Edinburgh, and another Fellow of the Royal College, Dr John Webster. Readings were given by Dr John Petrie, one of Professor Petrie’s sons, and Dr Colin T Currie.
Music, under the direction of Dr Roger B Williams, included a performance of ‘Pie Jesu’ by Shirley Cummings, an Aberdeen student, and the hymns ‘All people that on earth do dwell’ and ‘Praise, my soul, the King of heaven’.
Professor Petrie is survived by his wife Xanthe, four children John, Rachel, Mark and Paula (all of whom are doctors), and his six grandchildren.
Issued by Public Relations Office, External Relations, University of Aberdeen, King's College, Aberdeen. Tel: 01224 272014 Fax: 01224 272086.
University Press Office on telephone +44 (0)1224-272960 or email a.begg@abdn.ac.uk.