Dr. Steve Beerman on a video call with Queen Elizabeth. (Youtube)

By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

lifesaving

Retired Nanaimo doctor honoured by Queen Elizabeth for drowning prevention efforts

May 14, 2021 | 5:28 AM

NANAIMO — Lifelong efforts to educate people about the dangers of drowning led to a virtual face-to-face meeting with the Queen for a Nanaimo doctor.

Dr. Steve Beerman was presented with the King Edward VII Cup by Queen Elizabeth over Zoom on May 6. The cup is presented to members of the Royal Life Saving Society for outstanding contributions to drowning prevention.

Beerman said it was a “humbling honour” to receive the award and be on a video call with the Queen.

“It’s a very compelling and challenging issue. It has significant, inexpensive and preventable interventions we’re trying to share as widely as possible.”

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Beerman established the Canadian Drowning Prevention Coalition in 2016 of which he’s currently co-chair. He was considered a “key advisor” in a United Nations resolution about drowning prevention acknowledging it’s one of the biggest causes of preventable death in the world.

He retired from his role as a family physician in Nanaimo in 2021 after 34 years of helping others.

He will again be honoured on Saturday, May 15 at the annual Honour & Rescue Award Ceremony being held virtually.

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