There was no party, sit-down dinner, group photo or hugs exchanged.
But Memorial University school of medicine’s Class of 1990 had something — and someone — to celebrate when they came together virtually last month for their 30-year reunion.
While the group of about 30 physicians — now scattered across North America, holding various positions in different fields of medicine — spent hours chatting, providing updates and sharing stories during their Zoom meeting, the event centred around paying tribute to a former classmate.
Dr. Jack Hand, a pediatric hemotologist/oncologist at the Janeway Children’s Hospital in St. John’s, died in 2012 after being diagnosed with a brain tumour.
“Jack was such a good friend, such a friendly and funny guy,” said Dr. Annette McCarthy, a physician in Bay Bulls, who participated in the event.
“He really connected with everybody. Everybody knew him. He didn’t need a last name. If you said, ‘Jack,’ everybody knew who you were talking about in med school.
“It felt like he made our class extra special.”
Since his death, the group has made an effort to fundraise for the Jack Hand Legacy Foundation. Established in 2014 by Hand’s family to honour the memory of the man known for his compassion and warm bedside manner, the foundation helps cover expenses for families with children being treated at the Janeway for a hematology- or oncology-related illness.
For the Class of 1990's 25th reunion, the group raised $25,000 in 2015, and worked to reach $30,000 for their 30th reunion.
“Everyone felt Jack’s loss when he passed away, so we decided we would have a fundraiser for the Jack Hand Legacy Foundation,” said McCarthy, who noted Hand was her husband’s, Rod McCarthy’s, best man at their wedding.
“We wanted to make this year’s the best one yet.”
The group gets together every five years, with such events as boat tours, zip lining and other activities. The COVID-19 pandemic prevented them from gathering face to face this year, but McCarthy said it was a special one, with Hand still very much in their hearts.
“He brings us together,” McCarthy said, adding that the group plans to raise $35,000 for their 35th reunion. "I feel his spirit lives among our class and keeps us together.”
The group invited Hand’s family — including his wife, Tina Hand, their son, Michael, and daughters, Jessica and Amy, and Hand’s brother, Bob — to take part in a portion of the Zoom chat.
“It was just incredible what they did for my father’s charity,” said Michael Hand, a second-year student in MUN's school of medicine, following in his father’s footsteps.
“We got on (the Zoom meeting) at 9:30 (p.m.) and planned on saying hello, chatting with his classmates a little bit, but my mother and I ended up staying up on the call until 12:30 a.m.
“It was just so nice to hear them telling stories about their experiences and talk about Dad and what he was like.”
Michael Hand was 15 when his father died, but he said he continues to inspire him.
“Since his passing, I’ve met so many people, especially now coming up through MUN (med school), I’m hearing so many stories of what he was like and the nice things he would do for his patients,” Hand said.
“It’s just very incredible and makes me very proud of him and proud to be his son.”
Donations to the Jack Hand Legacy Foundation can be made online at www.jackhand.ca.
