“Father of Medicare” Among 11 Inductees Into Medical Hall of Fame

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News and analysis Nouvelles et analyses “Father of medicare” among 11 inductees into Medical Hall of Fame

Saskatchewan’s favourite politician, “father of medicare” Tommy Dou- glas, and Canada’s first female astro- naut, Dr. Roberta Bondar, are among 11 Canadians who were re- cently inducted into the Canadian Medical Hall of Fame. Douglas, who died in 1986, was a Saskatchewan premier. He was rec- ognized for his tireless role in devel- oping and promoting Canada’s na- tional medicare program. Bondar, a neurologist, was aboard the Space Shuttle Discovery for a 1992 flight. She now chairs the Science Ad- visory Board, which provides indepen- dent advice on science and research is- sues 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 Tommy Douglas: a lasting legacy for all Canadians genetic disorders by identifying the sex chromatin body, now known as Dr. Ray Farquharson was a Dr. Heinz Lehmann, a psychia- the Barr body. source of inspiration for hundreds of trist, has an international reputation as Dr. Norman Bethune, an am- medical students and colleagues. a pioneer in psychiatric clinical investi- bassador for Canadian medicine, is The 1958 Farquharson Report led to gation. He helped shape modern psy- still revered in China. One of his the creation of the Medical Re- chiatric care by recognizing the impact early accomplishments was to bring search Council of Canada in 1960, of chlorpromazine and imipramine. the mobile blood bank to the battle- and he served as its president until Dr. Maud Menten was one of the field. He died in 1939. his death in 1965. first Canadian women to receive a Dr. Claude Fortier, who died in Dr. C. Miller Fisher had a medical degree. In 1913 she helped 1986, was an expert in neuroen- strong belief in clinical observation develop the Michaelis-Menton equa- docrinology. A strong advocate of and an interest in cerebrovascular tion, which allowed scientists to clinical research, he was one of the pathology. His research called at- analyse mathematically their observa- first scientists to use computers as a tention to specific causes of stroke tions and descriptions of biological tool for medical research. and laid the groundwork for re- reactions. She also helped devise A world leader in rehabilitation for search into its prevention. what is now the standard method for the disabled, Dr. Gustave Gingras Dr. Harold Johns invented and isolating and describing protein be- was well known as the “ambassador for developed the first Cobalt-60 ma- haviour. She died in 1960. the handicapped.” A CMA past presi- chine, which had an immediate im- Founded in 1994 in London, Ont., dent, he established rehabilitation cen- pact on cancer survival rates. He is the Canadian Medical Hall of Fame is tres in Montreal, Morocco, Venezuela considered the father of medical sponsored by the CMA and several and Vietnam. He died in 1996. physics in Canada. other organizations. — Steven Wharry

CMAJ • AUG. 11, 1998; 159 (3) 211