An innovator in treating respiratory diseases
An esteemed physician and researcher, Don Cockcroft, MD, helped revolutionize how asthma and other respiratory diseases are understood and treated. After earning his medical degree from the University of British Columbia and completing clinical allergy and respirology training, Dr. Cockcroft joined the University of Saskatchewan in 1977, where he continues to serve as a Professor of Respirology Sleep Medicine. His research on how allergens affect the airways reframed asthma as an inflammatory disease, rather than an airway smooth muscle condition. Relatedly, he showed that regular use of the airway-relaxing medication salbutamol could increase airway responsiveness to allergens, explaining why asthma can often worsen with treatment. One of Dr. Cockcroft’s greatest contributions was his instrumental role in establishing the methacholine challenge test, which is now widely used to measure airway responsiveness and help diagnose asthma. However, his legacy extends well beyond respiratory medicine. Early in his career, he co-developed the Cockcroft-Gault equation, a formula still used worldwide to estimate kidney function for applications like drug dosing. Dr. Cockcroft’s innovative research and patient-focused contributions to medicine have been recognized through numerous honours, including Fellowship in the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences and the University of Saskatchewan Distinguished Researcher Award.
About the CMHF
The Canadian Medical Hall of Fame (CMHF) celebrates Canadian heroes whose work advances health in Canada and the world, fostering future generations of health professionals through the delivery of local and national youth education programs and awards.
This enduring tribute to our country’s rich medical history is showcased here and in our physical exhibit hall in London, ON
