Name:
Jerzy Szeps 
Location served:
Bothwell, Chatham  
Years in Practice:
1958 to 1999
Area of Specialization:
Ophthalmology  

Biography:

Dr. Jerzy Szeps was born on May 1, 1926 in Lodz, Poland, to parents Dr. Joseph and Mary Szeps. He attended public school in Poland, and high school in England. Dr. Szeps enlisted in the Polish Army in the Middle East and graduated from the cadet-officer school in 1944. He was then transferred to the Royal Air Force where he was trained as a pilot and served until 1947.

Dr. Szeps attended University College, Nottingham, England, and medical school at Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (Dublin), from which he graduated in 1956. He completed a Surgery and Pathology residency at The Sisters of Charity and The Mayer Memorial Hospitals in Buffalo, in 1958.

From 1962 to 1965, Dr. Szeps received further post-graduate training in Ophthalmology at Queen’s University, working out of Kingston General and Hotel Dieu hospitals.

Moving to Chatham-Kent in 1958, Dr. Szeps began a family practice in Bothwell. In 1965, he established an ophthalmology practice in Chatham, which he maintained until his retirement in 1999.

During his medical career, Dr. Szeps held the position of Chairman of Medical Staff at the Public General Hospital and St. Joseph’s Hospital. He served as the Chief of Ophthalmology at both Chatham hospitals. Dr. Szeps was also President of the Kent County Medical Society in 1972.

In 1997, to recognize his service and dedication to the local community and medical profession, Dr. Szeps was honoured with the Glen Sawyer Service.

Dr. Szeps hobbies included chess, tennis, and bridge. In addition, he was a member of the Royal Canadian Legion, the Rotary Club, and the Free Masonry. He had two children: Paul Szeps of Chatham, and Angela Szeps of Toronto.

Dr. Szeps died on the 22nd of November, 2017.  Besides his children Angela and Paul, he left behind his wife of 69 years Judy and 2 grandchildren.