Ontario doctor, 27, dies after collapsing during triathlon

A 27-year-old Ontario pediatrician who died after she collapsed during a triathlon is being remembered as a beloved presence and an inspiration to many.

McMaster Children’s Hospital (MCH) said in a statement on Friday that Dr. Candace Nayman of Hamilton tragically passed away yesterday after she unexpectedly collapsed during a triathlon last weekend.

Dr. Nayman was a Year 3 pediatrician at the children’s hospital.

“The entire MCH community is heartbroken over the tragic passing of Dr. Nayman, a pediatric resident. She embodied the excellence, caring, compassion and change-the-world attitude to which we all aspire,” the hospital said on Friday.

“We are sending love today to her family, friends and loved ones.”

MCH representatives have set up a donation page in Dr. Nayman’s honour. In May, the 27-year-old admirably ran 135 km and individually raised $2,000 as a part of MCH’s Million Reasons Run over the month-long fundraiser.

“Candace was a beloved sister and daughter, a friend and confidant, a mentor and guide, an athlete and coach, and an inspiration to many,” the website reads.

A photo of Dr. Candace Nayman of Hamilton. Photo: Facebook.

“In her 27 years, she lived an active and full life through her love of world travel, frequent camping and outdoor adventures, passion for music and arts, and a wide network of friends, colleagues, and study partners. Candace was at ease among children, working as a summer camp counsellor, swim instructor, and often an on-call babysitter for friends, family, or colleagues in need.”

Nayman is the fourth doctor to pass away in recent days after three GTA physicians died and were honoured by their respective hospitals.

Trillium Health Partners, which operates Mississauga Hospital, Credit Valley Hospital and Queensway Health Centre, released a statement on Thursday to quell rumours that had been circulating online regarding their deaths.

“The rumour circulating on social media is not true. Their passings were not related to the COVID-19 vaccine,” reads the statement.

“Dr. Jakub Sawicki, Dr. Stephen McKenzie, and Dr. Lorne Segall were trusted colleagues committed to caring for their patients and community.”

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Dr. Segall, an otolaryngologist at Credit Valley Hospital, passed away on July 17 at 49 years old after a long battle with lung cancer. He was described as an adored husband and beloved father to three children.

A neurologist at Mississauga Hospital for almost four decades, Dr. Mackenzie died a day later on July 19.

Dr. Sawicki joined the Surgical Assisting Team at Trillium in 2014 before conducting clinical research in pain medicine.

Hospitals across Ontario have grappled with staffing-related strain in recent weeks, with some having to temporarily close emergency rooms while others have had to rely on redeployed staff and students to cover shifts.