Six visionary health leaders inducted into The Canadian Medical Hall of Fame

KINGSTON, ON, April 24, 2014 /CNW/ - Six Canadians were inducted into The Canadian Medical Hall of Fame (CMHF), the world's only Hall of Fame dedicated to celebrating the contributions of medical heroes. These outstanding leaders join the ranks of 101 laureates who have gone before them in receiving this prestigious Canadian honour. Laureates are those who have pushed the boundaries of discovery, innovation and care beyond the realm of possibility to make Canada and the world a better place.

Inducted were Dr. Max Cynader, world renowned neuroscientist and founding director of the Brain Research Centre at UBC and Vancouver Coastal Health; Dr. Adolfo de Bold, father of cardiovascular endocrinology and Queen's University alumnus; the late Dr. Walter C. Mackenzie, builder of academic medicine in Alberta; Dr. Jock Murray, world leader in Multiple Sclerosis research and care; Dr. Ronald Worton, discoverer of the gene for Duchenne muscular dystrophy and Dr. Salim Yusuf, leader in the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular disease in Canada and the world and Vice-President of Research at Hamilton Health Sciences.

"Being inducted into the Canadian Medical Hall of Fame is a great honour for me," said inductee Dr. Jock Murray.  "I have always seen myself as a physician whose role was to care for patients and teach students.  Through the years, I realized that I had to take on many other roles, often leadership and advocate roles, in order to make a real difference, but the daily care of my patients and the teaching of my students was always the basis for everything I did.  I hope this recognition will be a message to all physicians who want to make a difference."

Host partner Queen's University, Faculty of Health Sciences was proud to attract more than 575 health care and business leaders from Kingston and across the country, including Honorary Chairs Senator Hugh Segal and Daniel Woolf, Principal and Vice Chancellor, Queen's University.

"These remarkable Canadians have earned their place of honour among our most distinguished medical heroes," said Dr. Stewart Hamilton, Board Chair of the CMHF. "Each has truly made a difference in the lives of people in Canada and around the world. Their passion and commitment to the advancement of health provides inspiration to all who follow in their footsteps. As fellow Canadian's we should be extremely proud."

The notion of a Canadian Medical Hall of Fame was born when Dr. Calvin Stiller, father of modern organ transplantation, visited the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1993 with his son Tim who asked "if there is a hall of fame for hockey players, why isn't there one for doctors?" Since then the achievements of 107 outstanding and inspiring Canadians have been recognized for their contributions to health by induction into The Canadian Medical Hall of Fame.

ABOUT THE INDUCTEES

Dr. Max Cynader is a world-renowned neuroscientist in the area of vision and brain development.  His scientific discoveries, biotechnology companies, and community outreach have led to new treatments and improved public understanding of the importance of brain health. As a tireless proponent of multi-disciplinary brain research, Dr. Cynader is the Founding Director of the Brain Research Centre at the University of British Columbia and Vancouver Coastal Health. Described as a creative and energetic leader, he has been instrumental in the creation of the new Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health, incorporating clinical research into patient care. Dr. Cynader was born in Berlin, Germany and held numerous positions at Dalhousie University in Halifax before moving to British Columbia in 1988.

Dr. Adolfo de Bold is the "Father" of the field of cardiovascular endocrinology.  Best known for his transformative discovery of the cardiac hormone atrial natriuretic factor (ANF) in 1981, he demonstrated that the heart is not only a pump but an endocrine organ. As one of the most important cardiovascular discoveries in the past 50 years, Dr. de Bold revolutionized the understanding of heart physiology and function resulting in improved therapies and diagnostic tools for a number of heart conditions. Originally from Paraná, Argentina, Dr. de Bold completed his MSc and PhD at Queen's University and was subsequently appointed to their academic staff. He moved to Ottawa in 1986 where he served as the inaugural Director of Research at the University of Ottawa Heart Institute.

One of Canada's great builders of academic medicine, the late Dr. Walter C. Walter Mackenzie, transformed the University of Alberta's Faculty of Medicine, instrumental in the development of numerous medical and surgical program. A visionary, Dr. Mackenzie foresaw the concept of academic health centres and played a pivotal role regarding the formation of the Alberta Heritage Foundation for Medical Research. His reach extended well beyond Alberta and Canada, having received numerous national and international awards. Dr. Mackenzie served in the Second World War moving to the rank of Surgeon Commander. Born in Glace Bay, Cape Breton in 1909, Dr. Mackenzie received his medical degree from Dalhousie University, surgical training at McGill University and the Mayo Clinic before moving to Alberta.

Dr. Thomas John (Jock) Murray is a world leader in Multiple Sclerosis and neurological research, resulting in major advances in the understanding of the disease. He founded and directed the Dalhousie University Multiple Sclerosis Research Unit where for 20 years his thoughtful and compassionate care had a profound impact on students and patients alike. Dr. Murray served as Dean of the medical school at Dalhousie University from 1985 – 92. Also recognized as an outstanding humanitarian and medical historian, Dr. Murray is an impassioned champion for the integration of the humanities into medical education, a concept now widely adopted by medical schools throughout North America. A noted leader at home and abroad, Dr. Murray was a member of the Working Group on Presidential Disability formed by and reporting to President Clinton in 1996.

A trailblazer in disease gene discovery, Dr. Ronald Worton and his team discovered the causal gene for Duchenne and Becker muscular dystrophy. This seminal breakthrough in medical genetics at The Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto resulted in greater understanding of the disease and revolutionized diagnosis and patient care. A native of Winnipeg, educated at the University of Manitoba, University of Toronto, and Yale, Dr. Worton returned to Toronto in 1971 where he spent 25 years as an exemplary scientist, holding several positions at SickKids including Geneticist-in-Chief.  A well respected national and international leader, Dr. Worton was also the first CEO and Scientific Director of the Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, which grew to become one of Canada's premier health research institutes during his tenure as well as the Founding Scientific Director of Canada's Stem Cell Network.

Dr. Salim Yusuf has transformed the prevention and management of cardiovascular disease with the impact of his research saving millions of lives around the world. He has revolutionized thinking of clinical trials and improved the overall standards and quality of health sciences research globally. Playing a pivotal role in the development of a nationwide network of Canadian cardiovascular researchers, Dr. Yusuf developed a global strategy for cardiovascular disease prevention. A leader in the development of health research policy, his passion currently focuses on countries that are unable to pay for life-saving drugs. He is at the forefront of research that will transform the developing world. An insightful leader, and Rhodes Scholar from India, Dr. Yusuf is the Vice-President of Research at Hamilton Health Sciences and established the Population Health Research Institute at McMaster University and Hamilton Health Sciences where he serves as Director.

Available Resources

1. Full bios of the inductees are currently at www.cdnmedhall.org
2. Photos with bios of newly inducted Laureates at: www.cdnmedhall.org/six-visionary-health-leaders-named-canada%E2%80%99s-2014-hall-fame-inductees
   Higher resolution photos available by contacting Sharon Lomas: contact info. bottom of release
3. All Laureate bios and information about The Canadian Medical Hall of Fame available anytime at www.cdnmedhall.org.

About The Canadian Medical Hall of Fame 
Established in 1994 and located in London, Ontario, The Canadian Medical Hall of Fame is the only national Hall of Fame in the world dedicated to celebrating medical heroes. By creating an enduring tribute to those men and women who through discovery and innovation have contributed to better health in Canada and the world, The Canadian Medical Hall of Fame inspires the pursuit of careers in the health sciences fostering future innovators and leaders.

About Queen's University, Faculty of Health Sciences
Established by Royal Charter of Queen Victoria in 1841, Queen's University is one of Canada's leading universities, with an international reputation for scholarship, research, social purpose, and spirit. The Faculty of Health Sciences comprises three schools: medicine, nursing and rehabilitation therapy. The schools deliver undergraduate and post-graduate education programs in medicine, nursing, occupational therapy, physical therapy, biomedical and population sciences, to 2,300 students. The Faculty is one of Canada's most research-intensive and contributes significantly to the research mission of Queen's, attracting external funding in excess of $80 million per annum. 

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SOURCE: Canadian Medical Hall of Fame

Sharon Lomas, Communications and Media Relations, 519.319.0908 / [email protected]