On Wednesday evening, locals were invited to the Canadian Medical Hall of Fame (CMHC) in a new exhibit hall.
The purpose of the exhibit at CMHF is to “celebrate excellence in Canadian health care and inspire generations to come.”
The Hall of Fame, located in London, Ontario, is dedicated to celebrating the achievements of Canadian medical heroes.
Plaques surround the lower level of 100 Kellogg Lane with interesting stories about 149 “Canadian health icons”, many of whom have been involved in groundbreaking research.
Mr. Vera Peters, MD, born in Rexdale, Ont. was a health pioneer, revolutionizing the treatment of breast cancer and Hodgkin’s lymphoma. (Source: Canadian Medical Hall of Fame)
“The only reason to honor excellence is the power it has to inspire,” says CMHF Executive Director Lissa Foster.
Among the physicians mentioned in Wednesday’s speeches is Dr. Ian McWhinney, who founded the discipline of family medicine in Canada. Dr. McWhinney discovered the importance of the relationship between physicians and their long-term relationships with their patients and families, which is now used as a basic model in the training of family physicians.
“Canadians have contributed so much to the medical field and we are not always good at raising our voices so to speak and telling the world about it, and I think if you came here you would have a real sense of pride and you would learn a lot too,” says Dr. Cynthia Forbes, Chair of the CMHF Board of Directors.
Dr. M. Vera Peters revolutionized the treatment of breast cancer and Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Peters faced challenges as a woman at a time when women were not accepted as scientists.
“Graduating in the 1930s from medical school and emerging from the 1960s as a world-class figure in oncology is testament to his determination and ingenuity,” reads his plaque.
The 2023 Canadian Medical Hall of Fame inductees include:
- The late Stephen Blizzard, MD
- Elaine Carty, MSN CNM
- Carol Herbert, MD
- Jean-Lucien Rouleau, MD
- Nahum Sonenberg, PhD
- Samuel Weiss, PhD
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