Canadian Medical Hall Research Articles

Maud L. Menten: Pioneering Physician and Biochemist.

Dr. Maud Leanora Menten, an esteemed Canadian physician, biochemist, and organic chemist, conducted a wide range of valuable biochemistry research for over 40 years, making groundbreaking discoveries about cancer treatments, enzyme kinematics, anesthesia medicine, bacterial toxins, vitamin deficiencies, hematology, and histochemistry. Menten demonstrated intense perseverance and tenacity in her education, defying societal norms to not only become one of the first Canadian women to earn a research-intensive Doctor of Medicine (MD) degree, but to also be one of the first to earn a PhD. Although she was restricted in her work in Canada, she moved to the U.S. and published an estimated 100 research studies over her career. She is most well known for her work with Dr. Leonor Michaelis, with whom she created the Michaelis-Menten equation for the relationship between reaction rate and enzyme-substrate concentration. However, she conducted many other noteworthy research projects, such as using radium bromide for cancer treatment in rats and using electrophoretic mobility to study human hemoglobin, which allowed for a more advanced protein analysis. Her research in hemoglobinpreceded the findings of Linus Pauling by several years, however, he is often the only one credited for this work. After her death, the extent and depth of her work was better understood and appreciated by many, and she was recognized byher alma mater, the University of Toronto, and her former workplace, the University of Pittsburgh. She was also posthumously inducted into the Canadian Medical Hall of Fame.

Elizabeth Bagshaw: Pioneer of Canadian Women's Health.

Dr. Elizabeth Bagshaw, an esteemed figure among Canada's female physicians, devoted over seven decades to advancing obstetrics and reproductive health. She defied conventional norms by pursuing medical education and graduating from the Ontario Medical College for Women in 1905. Throughout her illustrious career, Bagshaw demonstrated exceptional perseverance, navigating familial obligations following her father's untimely passing during her academic pursuits. Establishing her practice in Hamilton, Ontario, Bagshaw delivered over 3,000 neonates, frequently offering pro bono care to immigrant populations. Notably in 1932, Bagshaw assumed the role of Medical Director of Canada's first birth control clinic, challenging restrictive legislation and paving the way for the legalization of contraception in 1969. Bagshaw's efforts provided women with vital reproductive health services and information, significantly impacting public attitudes and legislation. Beyond her medical practice, Bagshaw also played a pivotal role in mitigating public health crises, including the Spanish flu, and ventured into politics with a city council campaign in 1934, supported by The Women's Civic Club. Her extensive contributions earned her numerous accolades, including posthumous induction into the Canadian Medical Hall of Fame in 2007. Bagshaw's enduring legacy is reflected in the Elizabeth Bagshaw Clinic, which continues to offer reproductive and abortion care in a confidential and supportive setting. Bagshaw's pioneering work significantly advances health equity and women's reproductive rights, leaving a lasting impact on healthcare worldwide. Her life and achievements underscore her role as a tireless advocate for women's health and a transformative influence in medical history.

The Revolution in Health Research.

After PhD studies at the University of Toronto, and postdoctoral work in London, Alan worked at the Ontario Cancer Institute and then the Samuel Lunenfeld Research Institute (eventually as Director of Research). As inaugural president of the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR; 2000-2007), he led the transformation of health research in Canada and an almost tripling of the budget for health research. He then was named executive director of the Global HIV Vaccine Enterprise (2008-2012). Since 2012, Alan has been president of CIFAR, Canada's global research institute, where he has led major initiatives to increase CIFAR's programs of research and global impact, and launched new programs to nurture the world's next generation of researchers. Author of 250 scientific and 50 op-ed and lay publications, Alan has received numerous awards and honors, including induction into the Orders of Canada and Ontario, honorary degrees, the Gairdner Wightman Award, induction into the Canadian Medical Hall of Fame and the Henry Friesen International Prize.

Renowned researchers inducted into hall of fame.

This year’s [Canadian Medical Hall of Fame][1] inductees revolutionized health care through research, law and community involvement. Founded in 1994, the hall of fame has recognized 132 Canadians’ contributions to medicine. Six laureates were inducted on May 4 in Quebec City. “It’s a great

Podcast: Women's health pioneer Dr. May Cohen.

Women’s health pioneer Dr. May Cohen will join other luminaries in the Canadian Medical Hall of Fame at a [ceremony on Apr. 14][1]. Cohen entered medicine at a time when less than 10% of graduating physicians were female and textbook medical research was based on a 70 kg male body. She went on

Six new laureates in Canadian Medical Hall of Fame.

Six Canadian [health care luminaries][1] — three researchers, a clinician, a health care advocate and a world-famous poet — were inducted into the [Canadian Medical Hall of Fame][2] (CMHF) on Apr. 23 in Winnipeg. They join [101 laureates][3] who have been recognized for their significant

Dr. Bernard Langer - inductee into the Canadian Medical Hall of Fame.

Dr. Bernard Langer's induction into the Canadian Medical Hall of Fame acknowledges his profound effect on medicine and surgery in Canada and an impact that has been truly international. In this brief biography, we highlight the major accomplishments that have made Dr. Langer a pre-eminent leader, innovator, teacher and exemplary surgeon.

In memoriam: William Feindel, O.C., G.O.Q., MDCM, D. Phil; July 12, 1918-January 12, 2014.

Dr Feindel's many contributions to medical science were recognized in 2003, when he was among the earliest inductees into the Canadian Medical Hall of Fame. The induction was one of numerous honours accorded to him, including honorary degrees and membership in the Order of Canada, the Ordre national du Quebec (Grand Officier), the Academie des Grand Montrealais, and the Royal Society of Canada. Dr Feindel was an accomplished neurosurgeon, technological innovator, visionary administrator, inspiring teacher, and possessed talents beyond the realm of medicine. His accomplishments live on at the Montreal Neurological Institute and Hospital, which he helped to bring to world prominence, and in the many medical fellows whom he mentored throughout his long career. William Howard Feindel was born on 12 July 1918 in Bridgewater, Nova Scotia. He earned his undergraduate degree at Acadia University, where many years later he would serve as a Chancellor. After graduation, he attended Merton College, Oxford University, as a Rhodes Scholar, earning a D. Phil. in neuroanatomy. In Montreal during the Second World War, Dr Feindel worked to develop treatments for war injuries along with The Neuro's founder and first director, Dr Wilder Penfield. After earning his medical degree at McGill University and further studies in neurosurgery at Oxford, Dr Feindel became the first professor of neurosurgery at the medical college in Saskatoon in 1955. Seeing the potential of brain scanning equipment, he developed the first automatic isotope scanner. Dr Feindel returned to 'The Neuro' in 1959 as the first William Cone. Professor of Neurosurgery. Three years later, he was appointed as The Neuro's neurosurgeon-in-chief. A researcher who contributed to more than 500 scientific papers, Dr Feindel had special interest in determining the causes of focal epilepsy, as well as in finding methods for the early detection of brain tumours and strokes. He helped to develop what came to be known as the Montreal Procedure for temporal lobe epilepsy, which involved the surgical resection of the antero-mesial temporal lobe. The procedure was subsequently adopted throughout the world, leading to cures for thousands of epilepsy patients. Dr Feindel was the main catalyst for the founding of the International Society of Cerebral Blood Flow and Metabolism and subsequently the Journal of Cerebral Blood Flow and Metabolism. He was also the President of the 13th International Symposium on Cerebral Blood Flow and Metabolism, Montreal, June 1987. During his tenure as The Neuro's director from 1972 to 1984, Dr Feindel largely introduced revolutionary brain scanning tools to Canada, acquiring the country's first CAT, MR, and PET units. McGill inaugurated the William Feindel Chair in Neuro-Oncology in 2001 with the support of the Clive Baxter Memorial Fund. Along with his scientific research papers, Dr Feindel also wrote extensively on topics of medical history, especially about the work of Thomas Willis, the seventeenth-century British pioneer in brain research who coined the term, ‘neurology'. In 1964, Dr Feindel published a facsimile in English of Willis's treatise of 1664, ‘Cerebri Anatome' (Anatomy of the Brain and Nerves). The Osler Library of the History of Medicine at McGill University elected Dr Feindel as Honorary Osler Librarian in 1984. Dr Feindel also published a collection of his historical observations about life and work at The Neuro in 2013 as Images of the Neuro. He was also an avid amateur pianist and violinist, performing along with his colleagues at 'The Neuro's' annual variety show. Dr Feindel was married to Faith (nee Lyman), with whom he had three sons Christopher (Mary Ann), Michael (Karen), and Alexander (1985, Ling), and three daughters, Patricia, Janet (Robert), and Anna, two grandsons Michael (Laura) and Andrew (Tina) and a great grandson Finn.

Lessons from health research luminaries.

What do leading health researchers know that others don’t? The legacies of three of Canada’s most celebrated scientists provide a few clues. Canadian Medical Hall of Fame 2014 laureates Adolfo de Bold, Ronald Worton and Max Cynader cite perseverance, collaboration and an entrepreneurial spirit

A conversation with 2013 Gairdner Wightman Award winner Dr. James Hogg

Officer of the Order of Canada, member of the Royal Society of Canada, inductee into the Canadian Medical Hall of Fame — these are among the many honours Dr. James Hogg has received for his contribution to the understanding and treatment of chronic respiratory disease. Now he can add another to

Poisoning the spindle: serendipity and discovery of the anti-tumor properties of the Vinca alkaloids.

In 1995, Canadian scientists Robert Noble and Charles Beer were inducted into the Canadian Medical Hall of Fame for their 1950s "discovery" of Vinblastine. Their "chance" finding of an anticancer drug in the leaves of the periwinkle plant (Vinca rosea, Linn.), is used to explore the historical issue of discovery, accidental discovery, and priority. The elements of the discovery are reconstructed through the oral testimony of key players and their published and unpublished records. Several "unsung heroes" played key roles in this project and reasons for their relative invisibility will be presented. Special attention is paid to the relationship between the small Canadian academic group working at UWO and the large pharmaceutical company (Eli Lilly) engaged in similar research at the same time.