Throughout his career in Mental Health, Michael Cormican pioneered community nursing best practices and culminated as the Mental Health Programs Contracts Coordinator for the Chinook Health Region. He chaired and held countless positions across numerous organizations including, but not limited to, the Provincial and Regional Mental Health Councils, Parish Council, church ministries, the Knights of Columbus, Cub-Scouts Canada, the Liberal Party of Alberta and Canada, Habitat for Humanity, Social Housing in Action, Southwest Alberta Coalition on Poverty, Sik-ooh-kotoki ‘Friendship Society’, Aboriginal Housing and the Royal Canadian Legion. He also founded the Irish Society of Lethbridge.
In late 2021, Michael had to regrettably step back entirely from his community engagements to focus on his family and his own health, as he fought an inspirational battle against an aggressive brain cancer known as GBM, or glioblastoma multiforme. He recently made medical history in Canada as the first Albertan to be authorized and receive the groundbreaking and potentially life-changing Autologous Dendritic Cell Vaccine treatment for brain tumours.
Most recently, he published his memoirs entitled ‘A Long Way From Tipperary’. The book is available for purchase through Brain Cancer Canada’s website with 100% of proceeds being donated to fund crucial research for brain cancer.
After a tragic struggle from hospital-related complications, Michael passed away in his own home with the good fortune and blessing to have his entire family surrounding him as he took his final breaths. He lived a rich life full of deep friendships, community and love and he was surrounded by the same in his final hours.
