"Father of medicare" among 11 inductees into Medical Hall of Fame
CMAJ 1998;159:211
© 1998 Canadian Medical Association
Saskatchewan's favourite politician, "father of medicare" Tommy Douglas, and Canada's first female astronaut, Dr. Roberta Bondar, are among 11 Canadians who were recently inducted into the Canadian Medical Hall of Fame.
Douglas, who died in 1986, was a Saskatchewan premier. He was recognized for his tireless role in developing and promoting Canada's national medicare program.
Bondar, a neurologist, was aboard the Space Shuttle Discovery for a 1992 flight. She now chairs the Science Advisory Board, which provides independent advice on science and research issues to the federal minister of health.
Other inductees include research scientist Dr. Murray Barr, who died in 1995. He helped usher in a new era in the research and diagnosis of genetic disorders by identifying the sex chromatin body, now known as the Barr body.
Dr. Norman Bethune, an ambassador for Canadian medicine, is still revered in China. One of his early accomplishments was to bring the mobile blood bank to the battlefield. He died in 1939.
Dr. Claude Fortier, who died in 1986, was an expert in neuroendocrinology. A strong advocate of clinical research, he was one of the first scientists to use computers as a tool for medical research.
A world leader in rehabilitation for the disabled, Dr. Gustave Gingras was well known as the "ambassador for the handicapped." A CMA past president, he established rehabilitation centres in Montreal, Morocco, Venezuela and Vietnam. He died in 1996.
Dr. Ray Farquharson was a source of inspiration for hundreds of medical students and colleagues. The 1958 Farquharson Report led to the creation of the Medical Research Council of Canada in 1960, and he served as its president until his death in 1965.
Dr. C. Miller Fisher had a strong belief in clinical observation and an interest in cerebrovascular pathology. His research called attention to specific causes of stroke and laid the groundwork for research into its prevention.
Dr. Harold Johns invented and developed the first Cobalt-60 machine, which had an immediate impact on cancer survival rates. He is considered the father of medical physics in Canada.
Dr. Heinz Lehmann, a psychiatrist, has an international reputation as a pioneer in psychiatric clinical investigation. He helped shape modern psychiatric care by recognizing the impact of chlorpromazine and imipramine.
Dr. Maud Menten was one of the first Canadian women to receive a medical degree. In 1913 she helped develop the Michaelis-Menton equation, which allowed scientists to analyse mathematically their observations and descriptions of biological reactions. She also helped devise what is now the standard method for isolating and describing protein behaviour. She died in 1960.
Founded in 1994 in London, Ont., the Canadian Medical Hall of Fame is sponsored by the CMA and several other organizations. — Steven Wharry
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