A Doctor's Calling: a matter of conscience

Hazel J. Magnussen RN (ret), B.Sc.N, M.T.S.

Wembley Publishing, *please note* **book can be ordered by e mail: doctorscalling@shaw.ca or click here
The price is $21.95 plus $3.75 shipping and handling within Canada.

Although this story has received wide media coverage, this is the first full public report of the events leading up to the crime and the criminal justice system's response.

FOREWORD:

Hazel Magnussen's account of her brother's life and death deals with many facets of human dynamics. I was impressed with both the detailed information and Magnussen's insightful observations drawn from her family's painful experience.

From my experience in professional regulation, I was most struck by the powerful messages this book conveys about disruptive physician behavior. The medical profession has long recognized the risks associated with chemically impaired physicians and has developed effective interventions to mitigate those risks. However, until very recently, we have failed to acknowledge the destructive potential of unchecked physician behavior and have failed to develop effective interventions.

Hazel Magnussen has done the medical profession an enormous service by challenging the profession to critically revisit the history surrounding her brother's murder by a medical colleague. We are challenged to ask what can and should be done to identify and modify destructive physician behavior at an earlier stage. I would encourage all persons involved in medical management to read this book.

Dr. Dennis A. Kendel, MD
Registrar
College of Physicians and Surgeons of Saskatchewan

Reviews:

This book illustrates the painful reality of what victims of crime often face in the criminal justice system. Victims have few rights in a system that often victimizes them a second time. Hazel Magnussen has described the feelings and pain that too many victims in Canada feel and her call for reform must be heard.
-Steve Sullivan, President, Canadian Resource Centre for Victims of Crime

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Hazel Magnussen has written a thoughtful and moving account about the tragic and brutal death of Doug Snider. She reports the facts in a balanced manner, which is perhaps surprising, given that Magnussen is Doug Snider's little sister. Magnussen wants to tell Canadians that the justice system is weighted too heavily in favour of criminals. She argues well and forcefully, even as her heart is broken. The book is also an introduction to Abe Cooper, a charismatic, driven, highly accomplished man, but one so arrogant and selfish that he felt justified in harassing, then killing a good man, small town doctor Doug Snider. -David Staples, Edmonton Journal

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This book details a dimension of our Canadian society to which most of us turn a blind eye. It is only when we are personally involved in such a nightmare, that we appreciate the full depth of the outrage. It deserves to be read by every Canadian. -Rev. Foster Freed, United Church minister

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Hazel’s clear storytelling, her illuminating and insightful reflections on her experience of the court process, and her ability to speak with respect for all parties involved provides a rare and important insight into the experience of serious victimization. Her broad analysis of the factors that contributed to her brother's murder provides valuable input into the conversation about the complex roots of crime. Her outline of what she learned about the criminal justice system, both in the book proper and in the appendix, are instructive to those who seek to provide a more respectful and responsible response to victims. It also disabuses us of the notion that the court process is one which serves victims.

This book was well written, has good structure, and contains an important story.

Review by James Loewen, The Well, Spring 2008 newsletter of the Church Council on Justice and Corrections

About the author:

Hazel Joan Magnussen, a graduate of the University of Alberta, is a retired registered nurse with 35 years experience in health care. Her primary clinical focus in the last ten years was mental health nursing and her articles about nursing ethics and nurse-physician relationships have been published in various professional journals. In addition, she has written articles and presented papers on 'bullying' and 'disruptive behaviour in the workplace', and detailed the experience and needs of victims of crime in the criminal justice process.

Hazel has written a fair and important account of the events leading up to the murder of her brother's murder and a mesmerizing, but shocking, report on the subsequent trial. Hazel writes eloquently, as she emphasizes the need for sweeping reforms in our judicial system, which often appears less interested in the truth and more interested in protecting the offender. She also presents a compelling message that medical regulators must deal incisively with members who are abusive and disruptive.This book deserves to be read by all Canadians who care about medical and judicial reforms and who believe in our Canadian ideal of fairness for all. I admire Hazel's courage in reliving and publicizing her family's nightmare and highly recommend A Doctor's Calling to all of you. -Carol Gemgembre,volunteer director for the local Citizens on Patrol (COPS)