Dennis L Modry @l_modry - Twitter Profile

18 days ago

Statement from Dr. Dennis L. Modry Regarding Recent CBC Reporting Recent reporting by CBC concerning a family estate matter and aspects of my professional history contains significant omissions, mischaracterizations, and inaccuracies. Given the seriousness of the claims and the impact on my reputation, I believe it is important to clarify the facts. I have spent more than three decades serving patients as a cardiovascular and thoracic surgeon and critical care specialist, including establishing Western Canada’s first heart and lung transplantation program, which I directed for the majority of my time in practice, along with the cardiovascular intensive care unit. Throughout my career I have treated more than 7,000 patients and worked alongside hundreds of dedicated healthcare professionals. My reputation for integrity and professional conduct has been built over a lifetime of service. The suggestion that I would knowingly exploit vulnerable family members or misuse funds is fundamentally inconsistent with both my character and my professional record. The relevant facts are outlined below. The Estate Matter My uncle Fred (my mother’s brother) personally asked me to serve as executor of his and his wife’s estate and to hold power of attorney. Before these legal arrangements were finalized, both my uncle and aunt were independently assessed for competency by a law firm due to perceptions about mild dementia. They were deemed competent and both signed the required documents in the presence of legal counsel and my mother. Several months later, and without my involvement or presence, my uncle independently revised his will with his lawyer. He then informed me that he had made this change, and his lawyer sent me the revised document, in which I noted that my uncle had chosen to make me the primary beneficiary. Over time, my uncle remained mentally competent while my aunt’s health unfortunately declined into advanced Alzheimer’s disease. At my uncle's request and with his full understanding a portion of the funds were then invested according to his wishes in a high-end development in which he would have directly benefited both financially and with beautiful new accommodation. Early progress on the development was promising, including strong presales and construction arrangements with established contractors. However, the project was ultimately derailed when a wealthy Edmonton individual, who had previously attempted to purchase the property, paid out mezzanine financing without my knowledge, forced foreclosure, and took control of the property. I spent nearly two years attempting to salvage the project but was ultimately unsuccessful. I personally suffered substantial financial losses as a result. Despite those setbacks, there were always sufficient funds available to ensure that my aunt and uncle received high-quality care for the remainder of their lives. A significant portion of estate funds was used to cover those care costs, and no care expense was too much. Following the passing of my aunt and uncle, a distant relative from Nova Scotia challenged my uncle’s revised will. She initially attempted to bring criminal allegations against me. After reviewing the matter, police found no evidence of wrongdoing and declined to pursue charges. That relative then initiated a civil lawsuit. Based on the clear circumstances under which my uncle revised his Will independently with his lawyer, I believed the case would ultimately be resolved in my favor. My legal counsel therefore handled the matter through the courts, absent my presence. I was surprised and disappointed by the ruling, in which the court declined to accept my uncle’s revised will and suggested misappropriation of funds. I strongly disagree with that conclusion. My uncle made his decisions independently and with legal counsel. Nonetheless, I instructed my lawyer to pursue a good-faith settlement following the decision, though those efforts did not result in an agreement. Other Inaccuracies in the CBC Reporting I have never purchased or rented a condominium in Scottsdale. Assertions suggesting otherwise are false. I did purchase a small amount of cryptocurrency personally, but never with estate funds. Any suggestion that estate funds were used for personal purchases, including wine, is untrue. I maintained detailed financial records regarding the management of my aunt and uncle’s affairs. In retrospect, documentation related to the development investment could have been more extensive. However, that administrative issue does not equate to misappropriation My Dispute with Alberta Health Services The reporting also references a past dispute with Alberta Health Services. Years earlier when I discovered that I had been defrauded in a business matter involving millions of dollars, I cancelled two elective surgical cases because I believed I could not provide the focus those procedures required. The surgeries were successfully completed the following week. Alberta Health Services suspended me for those cancellations. When reinstatement was delayed, I pursued legal action. I prevailed in the initial court decision. On appeal, the ruling was reversed based on outcome data that was incomplete and inaccurate. Because the court did not permit submission of the comprehensive risk-stratified surgical outcome data compiled by our cardiac surgical research group, I was granted leave to pursue the case using the true data before the Supreme Court of Canada. Before that process proceeded further, Alberta Health Services knew that they couldn’t win at the level of the Supreme Court and offered a settlement that I considered acceptable. I accepted the settlement and subsequently retired after 32 years in practice. Despite that dispute, I remain extremely proud of my medical career and the work accomplished with my colleagues. Together we helped build programs that provided advanced cardiovascular and heart and lung transplant care to thousands of patients who otherwise would not have had access to those services in Canada. Public Advocacy In retirement, I have been active in public discussions about the future of Alberta and the rationale and merits of Alberta sovereignty, which is the likely genesis of the CBC article to discredit the movement. My advocacy regarding Alberta sovereignty is grounded in my belief that Alberta specifically, and Western Canada more broadly, deserve to be out from under federal subjugation, domination and exploitation. This discussion is larger than any one individual and reflects the concerns of many Albertans about economic fairness, political representation, and regional self-determination. Closing I have dedicated my life to medicine, public service, and helping patients facing life-threatening cardiovascular disease. While public debate is healthy in a democracy, it should be grounded in fairness and accuracy. I remain confident that those who examine the full facts will understand the reality of these matters. Dr. Dennis L. Modry BSc, MD, MSc, FRCS(C), FACS(C), FACCP(C), Postdoc Immunology Clinical Associate Professor, Cardiothoracic Surgery, University of Alberta Founder and Director, Heart & Lung Transplantation Program Director, Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit Retired Chair and Co-Founder, Alberta Prosperity Society

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Dennis L Modry

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